Is it worth buying shipped hatching eggs during winter?

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

I live in Montana and want to buy hatching eggs from Minnesota in the next few weeks (if they are actually available)

Is low temp going to impact hatch rate. I don’t know how priority mail is handled - temp controlled plane holds or is it going to be in below zero and freeze the eggs.

Should I be patient and buy chicks in the early spring?

 

[Chicken poppy]

I live in Montana and want to buy hatching eggs from Minnesota in the next few weeks (if they are actually available)

Is low temp going to impact hatch rate. I don’t know how priority mail is handled - temp controlled plane holds or is it going to be in below zero and freeze the eggs.

Should I be patient and buy chicks in the early spring?

Wait til spring, thats what i recommend anyway. Newborn chicks in winter might die, so i think your better off waiting til spring comes.

 

[BlueBaby]

Being as it is winter now, if you really want hatching egg's I would look for some that are close to you so that you can drive there to get them. You will have more control over the temperature that they will be kept at that way and how they will be handled during the trip.

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

I guess depends on how they're shipping it, I would ask them directly before purchasing. I have no issues with raising chicks over winter just need extra measures and to be more careful especially with humidity during brooding.

Shouldn't affect hatch rate once they're in the incubator since you should be keeping your incubator reasonably warm anyway (I think a lot recommend 20-25°c room temp)

 

[MildlyOffensiveChicken]

I guess depends on how they're shipping it, I would ask them directly before purchasing. I have no issues with raising chicks over winter just need extra measures and to be more careful especially with humidity during brooding.

Shouldn't affect hatch rate once they're in the incubator since you should be keeping your incubator reasonably warm anyway (I think a lot recommend 20-25°c room temp)

My issue with my first 2 hatches, with my own eggs, was incubating in a Poorly climate controlled space.

I am considering putting some light on some of the birds in January to jump start laying, but i don’t know how I feel about it

 

[BrandonsBirbs]

My issue with my first 2 hatches, with my own eggs, was incubating in a Poorly climate controlled space.

I am considering putting some light on some of the birds in January to jump start laying, but i don’t know how I feel about it

I've always supplemented lighting for my quail but they don't live to two years as I end up eating them after a full 12-18month laying cycle (quail lay pretty much everyday).

 

[4timandlisa]

Not sure where in MN the eggs are shipping from, we live in northern Minnesota…here’s a screenshot of weather for the next 10 days. I think I’d take a hard pass on shipping eggs from here to Montana…