When did BYC eggs get more expensive than Eggbid & Ebay??

[serendipity22]

It is not cheap to ship eggs. If your person that your chicks are shipping to is relatively local, then shipping could be as little as $9, but if the eggs are going across country, then shipping can be close to $14!

That's not even factoring in a box or bubble wrap.

If someone sells eggs for $15 including shipping, there is little to NO money being made.

I am one of those folks buying FAD eggs. I've been working on my Marans for 2 years and am constantly trying to find reputable breeders that are selling eggs that have lines of birds that I think will compliment the birds that I already have. So, $65 for a dozen eggs is expensive, but I'm willing to pay it... (I've only been selling my eggs here for a short time, but am so happy with how they've arrived and their hatching rates so far.)

I hesitate to buy off of EBay, when I know I can search and find a reputable person here that has been known to sell quality eggs.

 

[asher]

It costs about $10 for shipping and supplies. I charge $20 for 6+ eggs from my cochins from very good bloodlines. And yeah, that's cheaper than I've seen a lot sell for. I very rarely sell, though b/c I don't try. The few times I do, it's b/c someone comes to me personally and asks to buy. I don't advertise. If I was in this for money, I'd have quit long ago!

I send way more out for swaps, trades and just to be kind than orders, but again, I don't try nor do I advertise that I sell. Too stressful for me since the birds just aren't reliable enough to sell by. Seems the minute I get an order, they stop laying!

Supply and demand...people will ask what they need for their eggs and either someone doesn't mind the price and buys them...or they don't.

More power to those that like to sell and do well with it. I, personally, would rather give them to friends that I know locally who I've checked out their places, know how they treat their birds, will give them a good home, etc. I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to who gets my potential babies, I suppose.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
I agree with bumper! With those Welsummer Bantams, you would have to pay alot for those and presently its not a fad. Most of it are the imported parents that the breeder had to deal with and it would be worthwhile their time and money to charge whatever they want to charge per egg.

As for the BYC breeders in here, reputation is what makes them good to buy from regardless of what kind of breeds or eggs you are getting them from.

 

[sara]

I look at it this way. It cost me a small fortune to contact breeders and aquire birds. Then to house and feed them. Why should I then turn around and give them away to someone else who I don't know? Mind you I'm not looking to make money off my chickens because they are my hobby , but I also can't see just giving them away to strangers. Now someone I know would be a different story.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

I didn't read the entire thread, but here's what I know.

Price is made up of: Supply - Demand - Seller Reputation

In an open / non-regulated system people can charge as much as people are willing to pay. If someone wants to charge $50 an egg and they have the best eggs, service, hatch rates, etc. and people are willing to pay it, then more power to the seller!

 

[KsTornado11]

Well,sorry it took so long to get back to this thread. I've been busy w/ hatching ducklings & taking care of kids. After re-reading my OP, I want to apoligize for coming across snottier than I intended. I do understand the importance of a good rep for a seller,and good bloodlines. It's great to know that you are getting birds from someone who cares well for them,and that they are of good stock, healthy, well bred,etc.

I guess it's a lot like the world of show dogs,cats,horses.etc.etc. and there are breeders that are after good show lines,for the shows. That's understandable. But still worries me about the ultimate outcome. I would reallllly hate for chickens & other poultry to go the way of dogs in that "backyard breeders" that breed "whatever" just to sell a dozen eggs for more than it costs to pay my water bill for the month to make a buck.

Do you all see where I'm comng from?

Chickens are more tied into America's nostalgic history,at least in MY mind,& I really would hate to see them end up as the latest "fad pet" ,which already seems to be happening from a lot of the posts I read here & elsewhere. Poultry raising in the US goes WAY back, & I hate to see it end up being the next fad that ends up harming this beloved creature.

I associate raising poultry w/ my late great Aunt Teenie, and her AWESOME flock of Rhode Island Reds. My parents built a house next to her farm in (very) rural Kansas in the early 80's.Aunt Teenie's family had been there since before the 1880's!! She was the ULTIMATE homesteader,w/ the huge garden, canned all her own veggies,raised cows,pigs,and those awesome RIRs!!
Back then, they bred for function, hardiness, good health above all else. Chickens weren't "pets" (except for kids like ME, who found a sweet lil' gal who I named "Dot", the only pullet of the whole flock who came right to me,to play w/ my shoe laces~!~)
I realize that chickens are somewhat of a novelty in some places today,but I worry that the overall breed health may suffer from poor "backyard " breeders,like dog breeds have.

Make sense?

 

[AK_Button_Mama]

I have to say some things I will pay extra for and I like to show stuff (goats, chickens rabbit) some times to have th best stock you have to pay extra cash.. if you just want a production bird with a nice personality they there are LOTS of budget friendly breeds out there. (I hear RIR are great thinking bout geting some myself) but for the rare breeds that people are trying to bring back from near demise I see why people charge extra... I think the thinking is that people who purchase a expensive chicken will be more responsible with it and proud of it (I know I am) allot of people WONT butcher a chicken that cost them 20-60 bucks a 3 dollar chick SURE why not eat that bad boy!!! at least I would wince at eating a chick that cost more than 20 bucks!!!! IDK thats MHO!

 

[Bettacreek]

Hrmm. I bought a dozen frizzles from Dipsy for like $18 shipped, and she sent 14, all made it without damage, and I think there are still 11 or 12 in the incubator with development. I also bought a dozen bantam EE's from Dachshunds for $15 shipped, got 18 and only one was broken, and all but 2 or 3 are developing (they might be, these were just "dunnos" when I candled a few days into it). I guess it just depends on who's selling and what's being purchased. Just be patient and watch for when something you like pops up at a good price. I have seen several batches of eggs that were going for pretty high rates, but like I said, you can find some great deals here from some great people. It's like anywhere else, you'll find a range of prices and quality.

 

[wingnut1]

KsTornado11

Hiya!

I support the free market - supply and demand pricing. I think it is exciting! *smile*

That said, it is sometimes strange to watch the changes taking place as the back yard chicken market gains momentum. For those of us who were "into chickens before chickens were cool"

the changes are exciting, and sometimes perplexing.

I agree with your concerns regarding breeders taking responsibility for breed health, form, etc. At the same time, the world being what it is - there are bound to be folks that focus only on profit without regard for what is best for the breed. I think one of the great things about sites like BYC is that is can help to educate, facilitate, and support responsible breeding.

Oops! Got up on a soap box just now, didn't I?

 

[wingnut1]

Quote:
bumpershoot - I's like to echo the "don't give up on your cochins" comments. My chickens always go through a stage where they are scared of everything when they are really young - before 2-3 months - and then they snap out of it -- everything is a 12-alarm fire to them until they do!

And I have a hatchery cochin who is really pretty and as sweet as she can be... but she was aloof until she started laying eggs.. she is a real sweetheart now..so yours may have time-release sweetness too!!