January 2020 Hatch along

[FortCluck]

Locally is definitely better for hatch rates. Shipped eggs are a crapshoot for sure. I’ve gotten anywhere from near perfect to none at all hatching.

Sounds like you have a fun hatch ahead! Our Olive Egger just started laying... brown eggs. So, I have another excuse to hatch eventually.

I had an olive egger, but she passed away from reproductive issues. She laid the prettiest mint colored eggs.

 

[jolenesdad]

I’m also convinced that shipping causes so much we don’t even know about. I’ve hatched shipped eggs all year and had results from every extreme....Shrink wrapped and sticky chicks in the same hatch.

I finally hatched five of my own eggs last month and followed all the same protocols I’ve been using and wouldn’t you know? Perfect hatches.

I did have to assist one egg... but that’s because I dropped it during lockdown and it cracked.

 

[FortCluck]

I’m also convinced that shipping causes so much we don’t even know about. I’ve hatched shipped eggs all year and had results from every extreme....Shrink wrapped and sticky chicks in the same hatch.

I finally hatched five of my own eggs last month and followed all the same protocols I’ve been using and wouldn’t you know? Perfect hatches.

I did have to assist one egg... but that’s because I dropped it during lockdown and it cracked.

That's why I'm so hesitant to buy shipped eggs. Everyone I know has had issues with them. I had all perfect hatches with my eggs, but they weren't purebred eggs. I guess in a way I like mixed breed chickens because they're rare and one of a kind.

 

[jolenesdad]

That's why I'm so hesitant to buy shipped eggs. Everyone I know has had issues with them. I had all perfect hatches with my eggs, but they weren't purebred eggs. I guess in a way I like mixed breed chickens because they're rare and one of a kind.

I’m liking the mixed breed aspect because it’s such a surprise and super fun when you don’t know what’s going to pop out!

 

[FortCluck]

I’m liking the mixed breed aspect because it’s such a surprise and super fun when you don’t know what’s going to pop out!

I have a few of my eggs I'm adding too, so I'm hoping HeiHei my sebright has started mating with some of the ladies.

I think my golden laced polish has been laying eggs, but I'm not sure. Someone keeps laying an egg on the floor, I think it's her.

 

[FortCluck]

The hatch is coming along nicely. 5 faverolles, 2 sussex and 1 out of 2 araucana. And several more sussex on the way. 4 faverolles haven't externally pipped yet. Did an artificial ext pip on one who's tried to break the shell, but didn't.
Really wanna keep the araucanas myself, might sneak one away. Haha!



Shipped eggs definitely has a lower hatch rate. I expect 50% and everything above is a bonus. The shipping itself is nerve wrecking too. Packages are only delivered monday to friday, and it usually takes 2-3 days to deliver. Add a bunch of holiday days in hatching season, like easter, and your eggs might get stuck at the post office. I've shipped eggs, but don't do it anymore. Don't want angry customers due to unforseen low hatch rates...

That to me is enough to make me not want to buy ship eggs, ever. Most of them are not very cheap and I just feel like I'd be better off throwing my money out of the car window on the highway.

I understand why people get shipped eggs. I just don't like those odds personally for myself.

 

[wolfwalker]

I have a feeling I'd buy shipped eggs and none would hatch

I've had that happen with local eggs I picked up. So to me, in my opinion, if it is not from your farm / pen, it is a crapshoot

 

[FortCluck]

I've had that happen with local eggs I picked up. So to me, in my opinion, if it is not from your farm / pen, it is a crapshoot

I have had good success with local eggs so far.

 

[jolenesdad]

I've had that happen with local eggs I picked up. So to me, in my opinion, if it is not from your farm / pen, it is a crapshoot

Agreed... my worst hatch with an exploding egg was local.

 

[Magicman1623]

Put these in yesterday so excited!