shipped eggs hatch rate?

[rottlady]

I have 4 Legbar eggs in the incubator, they traveled via USPS a bit over 2700 miles and took 3 days to get here. I did a quickie candle yesterday at day 4 and 2 are for sure alive and 2 not sure yet

I also have 15 Delaware eggs in the incubator and they traveled a little under 800 miles and took 2 days to get here. Candled them today at day 5 and "looks like" 12 alive, 1 maybe and 2 probably clear

 

[OldMcDnld]

I hear the distance is not so important as the freshness. Could just be hearsay I suppose but I think we can all agree that the handling of the post office is the defining factor.

 

[OldMcDnld]

I also understand that broody hens are the way to go for shipped eggs unless you're a bator guru. I just cant bring myself to disturb my girls by candling no matter how bad I want to. They are just so good at their job they deserve to set in peace

 

[OldMcDnld]

The old coop is going to make quite the broody box

 

[OldMcDnld]

This is next door, started disassembly today to bring it over and make our new coop


Progress

It's bigger than it looks, 10 x 8.

 

[dekel18042]

I also understand that broody hens are the way to go for shipped eggs unless you're a bator guru. I just cant bring myself to disturb my girls by candling no matter how bad I want to. They are just so good at their job they deserve to set in peace

Just curious why you would think this. Of course if you have a less than stellar incubator I would understand, but assuming you have a good incubator, that is the way I would go. I would never give an expensive shipped egg to a broody. Actually I'm not crazy over shipping eggs anyway, but my rate with my own eggs is much better than my broodies' rates.
Sometimes I'll let them hatch their own, but if I don't have anyone broody at the time or in the case of the eggs I'm saving now, the mothers aren't a broody breed and I'm anxious for chicks. Plus I can mix and match which eggs I'm putting in the incubator. And I can adjust for the hatch date I want.
My rate with my own eggs is close to 100%. My broodies' rates are in the 50+ per cent. A big difference.

 

[OldMcDnld]

My broodys are are American Game, ridiculously good mothers. What breed are yours?

The eggs my girls are currently sitting on are Barred Rock, Naked Neck, kraienkoppe, EE, RIR, Red Sussex, Sebright, Bantam Silkie, Bantam Cochin, Bantam Bearded D'uccle and Bantam Mille Fleur.

I can mix and match eggs too

 

[dekel18042]

My broodys are are American Game, ridiculously good mothers. What breed are yours?

The eggs my girls are currently sitting on are Barred Rock, Naked Neck, kraienkoppe, EE, RIR, Red Sussex, Sebright, Bantam Silkie, Bantam Cochin, Bantam Bearded D'uccle and Bantam Mille Fleur.

I can mix and match eggs too

Ameraucana, Easter Eggers, Olive eggers, Buckeyes, several varieties of marans, welsummer, d'uccles, Old English Game, mixes
The Mixes, Easter eggers and Old English Game go broody the most

 

[OldMcDnld]

Ameraucana, Easter Eggers, Olive eggers, Buckeyes, several varieties of marans, welsummer, d'uccles, Old English Game, mixes
The Mixes, Easter eggers and Old English Game go broody the most

What breed of rooster(s)?

 

[dekel18042]

What breed of rooster(s)?

Ameraucana and old English game.