Dipsy, I really like that chart sort of for a backwards reason. It is really good for showing just how hard it is to determine an egg was not fertile if it in fact failed in the first couple of days. In actual practice I find it much easier to see the "Bulls Eye that does indicate it was fertile. This forms in the first 24 hours. prior to that I am not real sure how you can really tell all that well. Out of 36 eggs I have gotten in the mail I have determined that 7 have been infertile. These 7 came from a breeder that had previously sent me 14 eggs and maybe 1 of those where infertile. I know all the rest where fertile because they developed to at least day 3.
I also like the chart because of that long list of reasons an egg will fail at each day of development. for example day 1 lists 13 different reasons for failure. Only 2 of those are under the breeders control (fertility, and Nutrition) all the rest have to do with the handling and care of the egg.
What I see is people purchasing eggs that can in no way not be subjected to 5 of the remaining 11 items (those regarding rough handling or pre incubation) and the buyer is the only person that has any control over the remaining 6 items which have to do with Incubation. Nearly half of all the reasons for failure at an early stage are incubation related. and 84% off all failures have to do with either handling of the egg or incubation. yet when eggs fail people constantly considering it due to that remaining 16% Infertility or Nutrition.
Here is my thinking on it. Even if you own your own breeding chickens, you will get infertile eggs, that is the risk and it is not fair to assume the seller eats all that risk. You also runt he risk of eggs being handled roughly when mailed. We are not talking about breaking them here, we are talking about them being handled roughly, jarred, jolted, bumped.
those are the chances you accept when you buy eggs through the mail. I have had two orders of 14 eggs each sent to me. i managed to hatch one of those eggs. I have since received 21 more eggs and as of this moment 12 are developing at day 12. It is nothing more than a crap shoot that you either dodge the perils or you do not. But to cry infertile every time an egg does not develop is not right. to sell eggs that are known to not be fertile is also not right. bad people will do bad things but usually not for long. Good people do the right thing even when they are not expected to. in fact my first order for 12 eggs I was sent 14, when those arrived roughed up the seller sent 14 more eggs at her expense without even being asked. I did not think this was right then and I still don't . I appreciate it, I recognize the Character in this person. but it would never be expected by me that she should replace anything. I was informed of the risks before I ordered, I understood them, I knew I might end up with diddly squat, and as games of chance usually go for me. i ended up getting creamed. That is not the sellers fault. Actually my one and only chick came from that first shipment and the second was a complete loss. What is it they say? "No good deed will go unpunished". in 20/20 hindsight the world would probably have been better off and had more chickens in it had she saved her money and sold those eggs to someone else. But I guess crystal balls where on the fritz that week cause neither one of us where seeing the future all that clearly. We where trying, we where doing what was acceptable to ourselves. And we both wanted to feel we where fair to the other person.
To make a long story short. I would like to see a well established and well known attitude develop of what is expected of sellers and buyers. and that members can look at that to consider if they have been treated fairly.
as an example. If you buy 12 eggs:
It is reasonable for the seller to have
1. done to the best of there ability insured that the Hen and rooster where together, that they had in fact been breeding and that they are at an age and health to increase chances the eggs will be fertile.
2. Adequately packs eggs to a Standard. A standard may be hard to develop since so many people have differing opinions about it.
3. that the eggs are not to old.
4. Include a few extras in recognition that some will be lost due to handling. Nobodies fault but it happens.
The buyer realizes that if these above criteria are met the seller has fulfilled their obligation in regard to payment in full. payment for eggs is no guarantee of eggs hatching, nobody gets that sort fo guarantee and they are not entitled to one either.
I think I will start a thread to discuss proper packaging of eggs and acceptance of a standard for packing eggs.
I've cracked a few clear eggs open after day 5 in the bator and the yolks have been degraded by the temp and just gush everywhere.
