shipped eggs, are they worth it?

[ChickensAreSweet]

I'm on my 3rd time with shipped eggs

1. 4 out of 7 hatched
2. 3 out of 7 hatched
3. 3 out of 7 developing...soon to hatch hopefully.

I'm pretty pleased with my hatch rate!

 

[knjinnm]

Quote:
If you are interested in Marans check this thread;
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=383387&p=702
there are a couple of breeders on the West Coast, Washington and Northern Calif.

Joe

 

[shelleyd2008]

Your best bet is to ask people in your area who have gotten shipped eggs about their experiences. What works for someone in one area might not work for another area. Case in point, I know (after 2 years of getting shipped eggs) that I don't want to get eggs anywhere south of where I'm located. The reason for this is that they just don't hatch. It doesn't matter what species or breed they are, if they come from south of me I might as well just toss them in the trash. Now, this isn't always the case, I did get 17 of 37 serama eggs hatch that came from GA, which very much surprised me especially since the seller said that her eggs don't handle shipping very well. Usually I'm lucky to get 1 chick from a dozen eggs that come from my south, and more than once I've had 0% hatches from eggs as close as TN (I'm in KY).

Also, you have to take into consideration the breed or species you are wanting, some breeds handle shipping better than others. Silkies are one that don't take shipping well, at least in my experience. On the other hand, coturnix quail could probably go through a holocaust and still hatch. It's a lot of trial-and-error, but if you have someone local that can help you with determining what areas of the country are good for someone in your area to have eggs shipped from, that would help you a lot.

You also need to make sure that you have a good incubator and a good hygrometer/thermometer. Losing a lot of shipped eggs because your temperature is off really stinks!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
What's the difference between that and the 1588? They look the same, sound the same?

I have a 1588 (forced air, factory preset) and a 1583 (forced air, wafer thermostat). Personally I like the 1583 better for the most part because it is easier to adjust. However, the 1588 is self-adjusting, so once you figure out how to set it, you're good to go. In the spring and fall when we don't really need to run the heat or air, the 1583 will sometimes run a bit cool if I don't check it. The 1588 is always dead-on, I never have to adjust that one

 

[shelleyd2008]

Also, considering that you're in CA, you might want to check the CA threads here? I know there are several breeders 'out that way' that have most if not all the breeds you are looking for. Personally, I'd rather spend $20 on a bird and $10 on gas to know I was getting what I wanted instead of spending $30 on a dozen eggs that might not hatch

 

[Robert Blosl]

if you can go fora thermastate that is not a waffer you are better off. I think this new one is set at the factory and it stays right on the money. Like the big wooden incubator they sell thier electornic thermastat in the sportsman model is great. It goes on and off and will stay in the 99.5F zone. I am going to get one and may replace all my incubators with this model. Every one who has one loves them. bob

 

[Illia]

ALL of my non-hatchery birds' stock have originated from shipped eggs. . . I have yet to ever come across a bad experience with shipped eggs. The worst I got was 2/12 eggs hatched, with 6/12 of them fertile. But, those were Tolbunt Polish, so that's expected. Otherwise, I usually get a 70% hatch rate or better.

I would always recommend and support the purchases of hatching eggs. Though it costs more than getting chicks (most of the time) - It is always much more worth it in the end, and remember - It costs the same to raise/feed a quality bird than it does to feed/raise a cheap bird.


Just remember - Purchase them when the weather between your state and your suppliers' state is fair enough. (temps above 33 and below 80)

 

[shelleyd2008]

Personally I'd rather wait til I have enough to just get grown birds sent to me. Not only do you not have to worry about them hatching you can choose the sexes too

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

I have been doing pretty good with the eggs on ebay. About 65 -70%. And thats from cold states , so thats not bad at all.

 

[Robert Blosl]

I spent a couple of hours on the interenet last night goggleing shipping hatching eggs. I have some web address and messages of people who ship a lot of eggs. One lady stated that she puts her eggs in egg cartons and covers them in fine saw dust then puts them in a box in the center with the large end up.. She packs the box with saw dust or fine shavings. Had great results. I have done this also and had my best resluts many years ago. Katy had good luck getting and sending her eggs in egg cartons and so I found a company that sells egg cartons for duck eggs. These hole should be extra large and give you more room for a cushion. I think if your eggs are packed in shreaded paper or newspaper folded up to give a spring cushion effect this would be good also. When you see these give me your opinion on this who do a lot of shipping. bob

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=419712&p=2
another thread with good information for the shipper.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/ar...ng_eggs_for_shipping.html?image=242301&cat=53

http://www.poultryhelp.com/eggpacking.html

http://shilala.homestead.com/shippingeggs.html

http://www.rainbowgatefarm.com/ShippingHatchingEggs.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5400190_ship-hatching-eggs.html

http://www.duckeggs.com/duck_egg_packaging.html

http://www.eggboxes.com/ecom-prodshow/special2.html
http://www.eggboxes.com/ecom-prodshow/special2.html
http://backyardchickens.yuku.com/topic/1530/t/Packing-eggs-for-shipping.html
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/7939567
http://www.hattricksilkies.com/packingeggs.html