Just what does Expensive Eggs Mean? Is it relative too..

[suzettex5]

The breed, or is it a general standard? What would be an 'average' price for, say, 1 dozen Barred Rock eggs? I'm guessing more popular breeds cost more (not factoring in shipping here) but how much more?

Would really like to know what people consider 'expensive' when it comes to buying hatching eggs. Not just chicken, but all poultry.

 

[debilorrah]

No no no, the more RARE breeds bring more money. Like Conornation Sussex....

 

[bel]

Best way to check pricing is go to the BYC auctions and look at closed listings to see what they ended at.
Pricing is sometimes due to rarety and supply vs. demand, if a breed or color is scarce will often cost more.
Often though its breeding you will expect to pay more for eggs from birds where a lot of time and money was invested in perfecting the line, some pay 3-4x as much as they would for average eggs to be able to hatch birds who are truely exceptional.

 

[yotetrapper]

I think eggs going for more than $30 a dozen (plus shipping) are getting into the expensive range. But really, it's relative to what you, the buyer, want. $25 for silkies would be outrageous for me, because I dont like silkies, but $25 for blue orps would be reasonable to me. And again, there's quality. $30 for Black Copper Marans eggs that are laying light colored eggs, to me, is expensive. $30 for BCMs laying super dark eggs, would be cheap. $60 for American style Blue Orpingtons, is expensive. $60 for UK style blue orps would be reasonable. It's all in what you want, and what you're willing to pay. I've been watching eggs from someone who's starting price is around $100, and I keep thinking no one will bid, and next time the starting price will be reduced. But someone always does bid, and thus the market for $100 starting price for those eggs is maintained.

I guess, bottom line, is what is expensive to me, may not be to you. What you consider ridiculous, I might snatch up, lol.

 

[tammyd57]

And sometimes a LOT more than that! A recent egg auction closed at $675 for a dozen eggs! Those are from a one-of-a-kind flock though, and well worth the price too.

 

[aussieheelr]

Quote:
I completely agree to this. It's all about what is available, the quality and where your interest lie. If all you want is to watch chicks hatch... pay $3 for a dozen from the neighbor that has a flock with a rooster. If you're wanting a APA standard quality bird, research the breed, look at LOTS of pictures of different flocks and order from someone that has great reviews.

Personal note.... keep in mind the region the eggs are laid in. I haven't had any eggs hatch that I've gotten from the eastern US, but others have had great hatches from them. Reason being where I live the altitude is much higher and very dry. I did however have great success from some eggs from Kansas which is much more similar to the Colorado climate.
This in mind I won't ever order from the Eastern states... which sucks because there are some B-E-A-UTIFUL FBCM flocks out there I would love to add to the line I'm just starting

 

[adorable]

eggs from serama. Going rate is from 50 to 80 dollars a dozen. Not including shipping...Those are hard to hatch on your own stock ,,Then alone shipping.

 

[MagsC]

Expensive for me is anything over $30 plus shipping.

 

[HBuehler]

The most expensive eggs I have ever bought were some eggs that had a 0% hatch from being scrambled in shipping...think it was about $20 for the dozen plus shipping.
There are too many variables in an average price..mostly being quality
An expensive egg can be as low as $1.00 imo if I don't care to have the egg but just spent $30 on 6 eggs to better my one Ameraucana flocks if 1 hatches it's money very well spent and as luck has it they shipped very well-high shipping rate for a reason they spared no expense on the packing which I appreciate and no air sacks were broken so I'll know in a few weeks

hoping for all 8 of coarse-they sent extras
For most of my more expensive say $50 and up a dozen I would rather pay even more and buy the chicks from the breeder and eliminate the shipping egg issues.
Any egg other than chickens would be very expensive here..my wonderful husband would dis-own me and he's priceless

 

[Wynette]

This is an interesting discussion, with lots of good and valid points. I definitely agree that it's basically what the market brings, or how badly you want them. For example, I have very specific ideas of where I want my Jersey Giant flock to go in terms of conformation and size; I have found only one breeder that carries the genes that I believe will blend well with my current lines & take me to "that next level." So, to ME, the eggs from that breeder are almost priceless.