I have been interested in buying some hatching eggs, but I worry that they won't hatch. What hatch rates do you get from shipped eggs?
Quote:There has been a lot of discussion on this lately I think. Most are lucky to get 30-50%. You're much better off trying to find a breeder within driving distance and picking them up yourself.
I have done two hatches with shipped eggs, the first was 100% (with 8 eggs) and the second was 4 out of 7 eggs (57%).
I wouldn't pay a lot and there is of course a risk, depending on a lot of things. Such as whether the shipper is honest and sends fresh eggs, how they are packed, how soon you can pick them up from the PO and the weather. IMO now is a good time as temps are not to cold in some areas of the country. Early spring is another. I would post who you are getting them from and see if others have had good or bad luck with them. Oh yeah, your hatch depends on how good you are at hatching with your particular incubator. I've posted this before but I'll post it again. I have a copy of Incubating from Practical poultry magazine that helped me alot. I can mail it to you or fax it to you and I think I can figure out how to e-mail it to you if you'd like. Wishing you a sucessful hatching experience Rancher
the reliability of your incubator is a huge factor. If it spikes to 110 (one of mine did) it doesn't matter if they were shipped or laid at your house it is fried. with my genesis if the egg is fertile I get about 60-70% hatch some breeds are harder to hatch like japs because of the short legs.
I've had anywhere from 0% to 100% hatches on shipped eggs. There are so many factors, there is no way to predict what you'll get.
Thank you everyone! Sorry for the relatively nondescript post, I was in a hurry. Around February I will probably try to get the eggs. Honestly, I am not even sure about what breeds I want. I have been thinking maybe Copper Marans, Olive eggers, Rhode Island Reds, true Americanas and/or Easter Eggers, Barred Rocks, the list goes on. I have been trying to figure out how I can do all this without spending tons of $$ and getting way too many birds. It is all a mess right now. I am really excited for Spring though! Rancher hicks, thank you for the offer! Is there anyway you could PM that to me? *sigh* I really have to start thinking about this. February is only 3 months away!
