Question about the hatching rates of two varieties of shipped eggs

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
That's what I was thinking. And I was really suprised that as many of the spangled did so well. It just seemed odd that none of the mahoganies did anything at all.

After some of the horror stories I'd seen on here I wasn't expecting over maybe 6 chicks out of all 28 eggs shipped to be honest. And with my luck, I was expecting those to all be cockrells. lol I did think since they were all shipped together, the same treatment, age, and everything being the same, I expected a more even split on the devolpment. I want to go ahead and order more mahoganies, but sorta scared to now.

 

[Katy]

I don't offer replacement eggs just because so much can happen in shipping...... but if I were to ever ship eggs from 2 different pens in the same box and only one variety was developing and I wasn't hatching here at home, I'd have to rethink my policy. I'd let them know.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
To this - were they shipped in the same box or was this a seperate shipment?

Yes, every egg was shipped in the same box, wrapped in bubble wrap individually, placed close together, surrounded by paper, I was very impressed with the packing, shipping, and care of the eggs from the seller's end. I am in NO WAY saying anything bad about the seller. The eggs were also marked on the large end in pencil as to variety and mixed randomly in packing. (All of one variety wasn't on one side by it's self or anything). I'm not looking for replacements, free eggs, or anything like that. I am just wondering if this is normal? and if I should notify the seller or if they would just take it that I was being an a**?

I'm not meaning to complain, although I guess it sounded like I was, I'm just new to this shipped eggs thing and it just seemed very odd?

 

[BrattishTaz]

If I sold infertile eggs, I would want someone to let me know.

 

[alicefelldown]

You should inform the seller. It sounds to me like you've eliminated most of the shipping variables for these eggs. For one variety to be 100% duds at day 10, and the other to be progressing better than expected? Fertility.

If it were me, and in your exact situation, I would expect either replacement eggs or a very good deal on my next order. It just doesn't make any sense to call it a 'shipping issue' when you have the other variety ready to hatch in lockdown. It's possible the seller doesn't realize their fertility isn't that great - I know if that happened with my birds I would want to replace the order and make it right.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Thanks everybody. I'll contact them tomorrow. Just wanted to see what others thought before I did.

Like I said, I'm not complaining, just thought it was weird.

 

[alicefelldown]

Did you get this resolved?

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
Yes, the seller was understanding and said the mahogany strain did have some fertility issues in the past and offered to reship that dozen for just the cost of shipping. He is going to trade out the current rooster with a younger one, and suggested waiting a month or so to try the new batch.

Here is a copy of our emails with the names and some unrealated information removed. All in all I would still very much recomend the seller, just don't like putting names out there.

As far as I know he's not a BYC member, it's just not polite to name names.

My email to the breeder;
Hi Mr. *****,
I was wondering if you have had any fertility or hatching issues with the Mahoganies? At day 10 when I candled the eggs, I only had one of the Spangled that was clear, and had two more stop before day 18 when I candled next. So 12 out of 15 that you sent are in the hatcher due to hatch this Friday. I am really happy and suprised at how well they have done so far, especially for shipped hatching eggs.
All of 13 of the Mahogany eggs were clear at day 10, but I left them in the incubator until I candled again on the 18th day just to be sure. None developed at all. I was just wondering, since they were all shipped together and packaged so very good, if there might be something else going on?
I know it's a gamble with shipped eggs, just wanted you to know what had happened. Are the Mahogany strain more difficult to ship or could it be a fertility issue?
Thanks,
Terry

And his response;
Hi Terry! Sorry about the poor results. I have found the fertility rate of the mahoganies not as good as of the spangleds, but to improve as the weather warms up. I was able to hatch some myself, or I would not have sent you any.
I would gladly send you another dozen, if you were willing to cover the shipping ($12.00). I recommend, though, waiting another month or so.
Regards, ******



Again, my reply;
Mr. *****,
Thank you! That is very nice and profesional of you. I will take your advice and wait another month or so before trying again though. Do you have enough to ship two dozen mahogany at one time? If so, I will send in an order for another dozen mahogany eggs plus an extra $12.00 for the shipping on the replacement eggs and you can wait and ship at whatever point in time you feel would be best. I'll have my incubator running until mid September. Maybe I'll have better luck next time around.
Thanks again, Terry


And his response;
Hi Terry!
I have taken the dominant male out to give the young rooster a better chance at the hens. Hope this will improve fertility.
You should have good success hatching the spangled Orloff eggs; mine pop out without effort.
Greetings, ******




Now, just curious. Do ya'll think I handled it correctly? I didn't want to sound like I was being an a** or be confrontational, but I was curious as to what might have been going on. I thought it went well?

 

[BayouPoules]

Well done!

 

[chickpeaz]

I think you were very courteous and professional (as professional as one needs to be on a hobby forum, I guess). Sounds like the seller was genuinely surprised and concerned, and you came to a good compromise on replacement eggs. It's nice to see BYC'ers comporting themselves with such dignity. A+ for conduct on both ends.