Why are hatching eggs so expensive?

[AmyLynn2374]

That makes sense. Do you mind me asking the difference in price between your "eggs" and your "hatching eggs"?
We have a lot of farms in my area too. But I have 3 kids in the car with me most times so stopping to ask can be difficult

. That is a good idea, I will have to look and see if there are any Facebook groups for my area. The closest I have found on Craigslist are 30-45 min away, and there are lots of farms within 5 min of me. But there are a lot of Amish in my area and they don't use the Internet, so maybe o will just have to stop. I noticed the neighbor around the corner has an egg sign up. Maybe I will ask them. Wow, 100% fertility is amazing! Do you think she had more roosters in her flock?
Yeah, I am one of those who not only doesn't mind mutts, I prefer mutts

When I told her that I had 100% fertility (on 42 eggs) she laughed and said ya, she has too many roos. I get 100% fertility out of my own at the moment, but I have to change things around cause my big ole roo-cockerel actually is starting to cause damage to the back feathers of my girls. I need to seperate the hens out for the fall and winter give them a break until I get more than the 8 girls in there since I am not going to be hatching again until spring. I have my adolescent chickens in another coop and hoping to be able to combine some of those girls in the adult (almost adult) coop when I get the toddlers that are in the brooder out to the adolescent coop.

Yes a pure standard bred source. The variety I got is rare and why I believed it an incredible deal. Obviously there are extremely rare breeds and varieties out there, to see some of those just look at Greenfire Farms newly imported birds and eggs. Now that's a company that prices for a profit and nothing wrong with that. Many breeders are in it for the joy of husbandry and satisfaction of producing birds near SOP (no bird looks like the SOP prints but we work toward it). They don't even consider profit and are elated to cover feed costs, love of birds and spreading of their line to keep a variety sustainable. The blue variety in almost all breeds is lost and that's such a shame as it's my favorite variety. Poor breeding practices has lost the lacing in blue over the years in America. Won't be for another 4 years probably when a project flock I know of will produce proper Blue Plymouth Rocks.

Yes, I agree and I can see paying that locally for a breed that I really want. It's also my goal to just be able to cover feed costs because I'm not in it for the money, but just the enjoyment of hatching and raising chickens. The same thing has happened with the spitz and the leg coloring.

Even common breeds are worth money, if they are of uncommon quality. Just thought I would point that out.

I agree.

There are a lot of us who don't sell eggs regularly, don't advertise, and aren't in it for profit.

Ask at the places that have eggs at the farm. Many will keep a dozen back. Since I don't sell eggs (yet) for consumption, I just give them to friends and relatives, I often have a dozen or two that haven't been refrigerated yet. If someone wants some to incubate, I can generally just grab them if they want mixed eggs.

If they want a particular breed, it may take a day or two to collect them, especially when 1/3 of my flocks are broody.

Started chicks and pullets, of course cost more, I've had to feed them and care for them.

Eta: many don't consider 30 minutes far too get eggs/ chicks/ birds. Where I live, it's that far to the mall (if I shopped at the mall). I found turkey poults 30 minutes away and felt lucky it was so close.

I was willing to drive an hour and half to get the showgirl (possible showgirls since they aren't penned out) eggs that were the only I could find anywhere near me, but at the time I wanted them, her's weren't laying well. Ditto on the area...you have to drive 40min-hour to get to a mall or even a walmart from my town....lol

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I guess what I mean is...

if you think you're getting a good deal and you're willing to pay x amount of money for x amount of eggs... buy them. If not, don't. Different people are willing to pay for different things. I just don't like how some people don't see the work that goes into those "expensive" hatching eggs. If you don't like someone's price, if you're willing to possibly settle for less, move on and buy elsewhere, that's my opinion.

But many people at least in areas like ours or mine, aren't putting any extra into these eggs and expecting reputible breeder quality pricing. And that is where I have a problem. If I were to go to a reputible breeder or after a more rare breed, I would definetly expect to pay more. I expect to pay more for any pure bred eggs. I don't expect to pay $10 for a dozen for mixed breed eggs from a backyard raiser that sells the same eggs for eating at $3 dozen. You're putting extra money into birds to produce a better quality chicken, then yes, you recoupe the cost through sales and that's understandable. Most BYC raisers (in my area) aren't going above and beyond to feed their chickens anything more than regular commercial feed and free ranging. And I, as a consumer am not willing to pay $40-50 dollars for shipped eggs (especially when you still have to add the shipping and packaging) on the expected hatch rates for shipped eggs. Not saying that the seller isn't entitled to what the eggs are worth, but for a consumer like me, it's too big of a wager to spend $75-100 on eggs to have one or two hatch (theoretically of course). Local eggs I'd be willing to spend $30 if it was something I really wanted, just not shipped.

And anything is a pay the price or move on. The OP posed a very good and valid question that brings up a lot of different thinking and different points. Nothing wrong with the question being asked or those of us that want to share our opinions and feelings on it. There have been some very good points brought out as to why SOME eggs are worth the higher prices, and very valid arguments about why some are over priced. Like anything else they all can't be lumped into one catagory and easily defined. You have many factors to look at in judging wether the price is fair. I don't have any stock in my flock that charging more than $3-5 dollars for my mixes and $5-10 for the Spitz (a dozen) would be fair. I have some pretty birds, most have great dispositions and since they are artificially incubated/brooded and handled a good share are personable. Some of their coloring is awesome. But they are mixes. The ones that are laying are decent layers. Still considered pullets. Well fed and cared for. If I had show quality chickens I would expect a fair price as I would expect to pay a fair price. (Not that I will be buying any anytime soon...lol Unless I can get my hands on some really fluffy showgirls.

) I just think there's a big difference in what you should expect from a byc raiser and a reputible breeder.

 

[Proverb31mama]

One of the tricks breeders of show quality chickens use to make the feathers look healthy is to drizzle a little oil on the feed. That can make them look healthier than they really are. They also feed things like sunflower seeds high in oils. Of course one of the traits they breed for is nice feathers for the show ring but every little trick helps when you are trying to win a grand prize.

Like OGM said, I was trying to say with that is that if the price of feed to make those eggs is higher than normal, that should be expressed in the price of the eggs. To get the size so prized in show quality birds they normally feed higher protein feeds than many of us use. The higher protein normally costs more. But one of the really big costs is feeding all the chicks until they are old enough so you can tell which ones are worth breeding. You’ve spent a lot of money on feeding chickens that don’t pan out. You normally have a more expensive set-up with breeding pens and all that.

The really good breeders are not likely to recoup all their costs in the eggs, chicks, or started pairs or trios they sell. They are generally in it because they are passionate about what they are doing. It’s expensive and it is not easy. Most of them are just trying recoup some of the costs.

I can easily justify to myself much higher costs for certain breeders’ hatching eggs. Why are so many others so expensive? People that may not know what they are buying are willing to spend that much. The more they cost the more valuable they are. Right? Some people just have that mindset.

I pay a bit extra for hatching eggs, partly for the inconvenience of the person selling them even when I pick them up myself. They also have some traits I want or I would not be buying them. But paying greatly inflated prices, not for me.

Thanks for the clarification.

Why do you consider gathering eggs for hatching to be more inconvenient than for eating?

Even common breeds are worth money, if they are of uncommon quality. Just thought I would point that out.

What would you consider uncommon quality?

 

[WalnutHill]

Thanks for the clarification.

Why do you consider gathering eggs for hatching to be more inconvenient than for eating?
What would you consider uncommon quality?

I keep my hatching eggs in a turner before they are set, only collect clean eggs for hatching, date them, and either set before 10 days or discard them. So what I would have sold as a table egg a week ago is now an old egg that I don't sell for food. I am sure they would be fine, but I don't.

To me, uncommon quality is an egg that I don't want to sell because the potential of the offspring in the egg would be a bird that would improve my flock, the next step toward my goal. I haven't sold any of those, or the poults from those, yet. The others, all high quality purebred Narragansett? I will sell those poults. Same with Bourbon Red and Bronze I hatched out from purchased eggs. All very nice birds, none are "defect" culls, but none of them have yet made me feel I should keep them for the next generation.

It's part science, part aesthetics, and a lot of experience to predict what an awkward hatchling will develop into. But the biggest thing of all, and what makes a breeding program, is if you can reproduce your results, not by accident but by intent. This is true no matter what you are breeding for.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thanks for the clarification.

Why do you consider gathering eggs for hatching to be more inconvenient than for eating?
What would you consider uncommon quality?

*If* done by best practices, the storage of hatching eggs is more inconvenient than that of eating eggs -- the commonly accepted best practice is to store eggs, fat side up, at 45 degree angle, with "turning" 2 x a day by changing the direction of the elevation of the storage container. Optimal temperature of storage is also considered important in preserving the best viability of eggs being collected for hatching. Eggs collected for eating are collected, washed (or not - I'm in the not), and stored - done. Eggs stored for hatching using best practices are collected, inspected (those eggs too large, too small, etc sorted out), carefully cleaned if needed - again, for hatching this must be done with more care than for eating, put in a storage container and in the storage area, attended daily during the collection to distribution, dated so as to make sure that they are rotated out for setting in the timeframe associated with best hatch rates, etc. Now, not everyone uses the best practices, so would not see the increase in inconvenience, but the person you want to buy from is someone who a) knows and understands best practices so as to best guard the viability of the eggs you are purchasing and b) cares enough to follow best practices.

 

[Proverb31mama]

There are a lot of us who don't sell eggs regularly, don't advertise, and aren't in it for profit.

Ask at the places that have eggs at the farm. Many will keep a dozen back. Since I don't sell eggs (yet) for consumption, I just give them to friends and relatives, I often have a dozen or two that haven't been refrigerated yet. If someone wants some to incubate, I can generally just grab them if they want mixed eggs.

If they want a particular breed, it may take a day or two to collect them, especially when 1/3 of my flocks are broody.

Started chicks and pullets, of course cost more, I've had to feed them and care for them.

Eta: many don't consider 30 minutes far too get eggs/ chicks/ birds. Where I live, it's that far to the mall (if I shopped at the mall). I found turkey poults 30 minutes away and felt lucky it was so close.

Yeah, 30 min isn't horribly far, but when all I'm looking for is barnyard mix and there are tons of farms within 5 minutes of me, I'd like to buy from them if possible I just wish they all advertised on Craigslist so I know who has fertilized eggs. With 3 kids under 4yrs old in the car it is hard to stop at every farm to ask. But I know that is just life so I will .

Some of the cost difference can be the availability of what you are after.  If I sell my Silkied Ameraucana Project eggs as eating eggs, you can bet no one will buy them for more than the going rate of table eggs, except perhaps a marginal premium for the novelty of blue eggs.  But as hatching eggs, they are far more valuable since the project is still rather small and eggs to hatch from are hard enough to come by, let alone chicks or adults (and those are often pickup only).  So for most people, not in driving range of existing project members, hatching eggs are the only way to go -- which just drives up the demand for shipped hatching eggs making their price that much higher.

Eggs for eating are far easier to come by than eggs of a specific breed you want in your specific area, hence the higher price since they are more 'scarce' relatively speaking.

I am curious what is the point of raising birds that you don't intend to eat the eggs or meat? Is it for pets? Just for the enjoyment of them?

I guess what I mean is...

if you think you're getting a good deal and you're willing to pay x amount of money for x amount of eggs... buy them. If not, don't. Different people are willing to pay for different things. I just don't like how some people don't see the work that goes into those "expensive" hatching eggs. If you don't like someone's price, if you're willing to possibly settle for less, move on and buy elsewhere, that's my opinion.

I do move on . I don't email the sellers saying I don't like their prices, I just don't buy them. I was just posting this because I was wondering why they were priced higher. Not to bash anyone.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

But many people at least in areas like ours or mine, aren't putting any extra into these eggs and expecting reputible breeder quality pricing. And that is where I have a problem. If I were to go to a reputible breeder or after a more rare breed, I would definetly expect to pay more. I expect to pay more for any pure bred eggs. I don't expect to pay $10 for a dozen for mixed breed eggs from a backyard raiser that sells the same eggs for eating at $3 dozen. You're putting extra money into birds to produce a better quality chicken, then yes, you recoupe the cost through sales and that's understandable. Most BYC raisers (in my area) aren't going above and beyond to feed their chickens anything more than regular commercial feed and free ranging. And I, as a consumer am not willing to pay $40-50 dollars for shipped eggs (especially when you still have to add the shipping and packaging) on the expected hatch rates for shipped eggs. Not saying that the seller isn't entitled to what the eggs are worth, but for a consumer like me, it's too big of a wager to spend $75-100 on eggs to have one or two hatch (theoretically of course). Local eggs I'd be willing to spend $30 if it was something I really wanted, just not shipped.

Maybe so, I just don't see how it's a problem. If I want to sell a broken computer for 1000 dollars, am I entitled to that? Yes. Does it make sense? No, but I can do it. People are free to pass on by. I understand complaints about taxes because you have to pay those, but why is it a problem if someone's chickens are over-priced? Why should I care? I don't see how it's worth getting upset about. It's like television. Nowadays what's on television is terrible- do I complain about it? No, I just don't watch it.

What would you consider uncommon quality?

A bird that is at or close to the ideal temperament, hardiness, production abilities, etc. It also must be in top health and should be close as possible to a standard, maybe a show standard maybe not, but there should be some ideal the breeder is aiming for. There must be a reason for breeding beyond "cute chickens." The high quality bird is that ideal reached. It's the kind of bird that makes you take a breath and gain new respect for the person that produced it. It's the bird that makes an impression. Some people don't understand- "they're just chickens, they're all the same, a chicken's a chicken" they say, but that could be said about anything. I for one don't really care about music, but I'm not going to just say "music's music, Mozart's no better than our pop stars." I know that's not true.

 

[Proverb31mama]

But many people at least in areas like ours or mine, aren't putting any extra into these eggs and expecting reputible breeder quality pricing. And that is where I have a problem. If I were to go to a reputible breeder or after a more rare breed, I would definetly expect to pay more. I expect to pay more for any pure bred eggs. I don't expect to pay $10 for a dozen for mixed breed eggs from a backyard raiser that sells the same eggs for eating at $3 dozen. You're putting extra money into birds to produce a better quality chicken, then yes, you recoupe the cost through sales and that's understandable. Most BYC raisers (in my area) aren't going above and beyond to feed their chickens anything more than regular commercial feed and free ranging. And I, as a consumer am not willing to pay $40-50 dollars for shipped eggs (especially when you still have to add the shipping and packaging) on the expected hatch rates for shipped eggs. Not saying that the seller isn't entitled to what the eggs are worth, but for a consumer like me, it's too big of a wager to spend $75-100 on eggs to have one or two hatch (theoretically of course). Local eggs I'd be willing to spend $30 if it was something I really wanted,  just not shipped.

And anything is a pay the price or move on. The OP posed a very good and valid question that brings up a lot of different thinking and different points. Nothing wrong with the question being asked or those of us that want to share our opinions and feelings on it. There have been some very good points brought out as to why SOME eggs are worth the higher prices, and very valid arguments about why some are over priced. Like anything else they all can't be lumped into one catagory and easily defined. You have many factors to look at in judging wether the price is fair. I don't have any stock in my flock that charging more than $3-5 dollars for my mixes and $5-10 for the Spitz (a dozen) would be fair. I have some pretty birds, most have great dispositions and since they are artificially incubated/brooded and handled a good share are personable. Some of their coloring is awesome. But they are mixes. The ones that are laying are decent layers. Still considered pullets. Well fed and cared for. If I had show quality chickens I would expect a fair price as I would expect to pay a fair price. (Not that I will be buying any anytime soon...lol Unless I can get my hands on some really fluffy showgirls. )  I just think there's a big difference in what you should expect from a byc raiser and a reputible breeder. 

Exactly! That was the part that confused me. It seems like for the same quality eggs I would pay one price for eating eggs and a much higher price for hatching eggs. I was seeking the answer as to why that was.

Thanks for the support! I enjoy reading people's opinions and experiences, even if they differ from my own. It helps me understand things better. Then I can take what works for me and leave the rest to the people it works for.

I keep my hatching eggs in a turner before they are set, only collect clean eggs for hatching, date them, and either set before 10 days or discard them.  So what I would have sold as a table egg a week ago is now an old egg that I don't sell for food.  I am sure they would be fine, but I don't.

To me, uncommon quality is an egg that I don't want to sell because the potential of the offspring in the egg would be a bird that would improve my flock, the next step toward my goal.  I haven't sold any of those, or the poults from those, yet.  The others, all high quality purebred Narragansett?  I will sell those poults.  Same with Bourbon Red and Bronze I hatched out from purchased eggs.  All very nice birds, none are "defect" culls, but none of them have yet made me feel I should keep them for the next generation.

It's part science, part aesthetics, and a lot of experience to predict what an awkward hatchling will develop into.  But the biggest thing of all, and what makes a breeding program, is if you can reproduce your results, not by accident but by intent.  This is true no matter what you are breeding for.

*If* done by best practices, the storage of hatching eggs is more inconvenient than that of eating eggs -- the commonly accepted best practice is to store eggs, fat side up, at  45 degree angle, with "turning" 2 x a day by changing the direction of the elevation of the storage container.  Optimal temperature of storage is also considered important in preserving the best viability of eggs being collected for hatching.  Eggs collected for eating are collected, washed (or not - I'm in the not), and stored - done.  Eggs stored for hatching using best practices are collected, inspected (those eggs too large, too small, etc sorted out), carefully cleaned if needed - again, for hatching this must be done with more care than for eating, put in a storage container and in the storage area, attended daily during the collection to distribution, dated so as to make sure that they are rotated out for setting in the timeframe associated with best hatch rates, etc.  Now, not everyone uses the best practices, so would not see the increase in inconvenience, but the person you want to buy from is someone who a) knows and understands best practices so as to best guard the viability of the eggs you are purchasing and b) cares enough to follow best practices. 

I didn't know that those were the best practices. I have read about people who have hatched eggs that were in their fridge for a week or two and they came out fine. I can see why you would pay extra for someone to do that for you.

 

[Proverb31mama]

Maybe so, I just don't see how it's a problem. If I want to sell a broken computer for 1000 dollars, am I entitled to that? Yes. Does it make sense? No, but I can do it. People are free to pass on by. I understand complaints about taxes because you have to pay those, but why is it a problem if someone's chickens are over-priced? Why should I care? I don't see how it's worth getting upset about. It's like television. Nowadays what's on television is terrible- do I complain about it? No, I just don't watch it.

A bird that is at or close to the ideal temperament, hardiness, production abilities, etc. It also must be in top health and should be close as possible to a standard, maybe a show standard maybe not, but there should be some ideal the breeder is aiming for. There must be a reason for breeding beyond "cute chickens." The high quality bird is that ideal reached. It's the kind of bird that makes you take a breath and gain new respect for the person that produced it. It's the bird that makes an impression. Some people don't understand- "they're just chickens, they're all the same, a chicken's a chicken" they say, but that could be said about anything. I for one don't really care about music, but I'm not going to just say "music's music, Mozart's no better than our pop stars." I know that's not true.

Like I said, I was just asking to try to understand. I am not going to tell anyone they shouldn't sell them for that. I was just wondering if there was a reason why.

That makes sense about uncommon quality. But how do you know if an egg is going to possess uncommon qualities so you know whether to pay more for it? By looking at the parents?

 

[FridayYet]

The food doesn't make them shiny. The food makes them healthy, which enables the chickens to grow better feathers.

Exactly. I chose to feed non-GMO organic feed so I know my flock isn't consuming pesticides. I think that makes them healthier, but DH thinks I'm crazy.

I also have connected with a few educators who do classroom hatches. If they are local, they get them free, I'm all for education. They are almost always purebred and some of more scarce birds. I offer to take the chicks back if no one wants them. Hasn't happened yet. They frequently want different breeds and colors, and sometimes different species, chicken, duck, quail, to show different incubation times, etc.

X2. If some 4H kid or a school wanted some hatching eggs or a few chicks, they will get them for free!

Yeah, I am one of those who not only doesn't mind mutts, I prefer mutts

In some things, I do too. My dogs are rescues, and I love my EEs. I'll try to make some OEs too if I end up with the right mix of chickens. Some I'll mix just for fun.

Even common breeds are worth money, if they are of uncommon quality. Just thought I would point that out.

OH, have you seen some of the heritage RIR or Barred rock? (drool) They are just stunning and look nothing like the hatchery ones. There are some dedicated breeders that have produced some beautiful birds!

Some of the cost difference can be the availability of what you are after. If I sell my Silkied Ameraucana Project eggs as eating eggs, you can bet no one will buy them for more than the going rate of table eggs, except perhaps a marginal premium for the novelty of blue eggs. But as hatching eggs, they are far more valuable since the project is still rather small and eggs to hatch from are hard enough to come by, let alone chicks or adults (and those are often pickup only). So for most people, not in driving range of existing project members, hatching eggs are the only way to go -- which just drives up the demand for shipped hatching eggs making their price that much higher.

Eggs for eating are far easier to come by than eggs of a specific breed you want in your specific area, hence the higher price since they are more 'scarce' relatively speaking.

I'm hoping to get some Silkied Ameraucana next year - and those I'll happily pay through the nose for because I know how much work people have done to keep the Ameraucana traits pure without losing the hookless gene mutation.

I was willing to drive an hour and half to get the showgirl (possible showgirls since they aren't penned out) eggs that were the only I could find anywhere near me, but at the time I wanted them, her's weren't laying well. Ditto on the area...you have to drive 40min-hour to get to a mall or even a walmart from my town....lol

I drove 7 hours each way to get my first Orloffs. But then I'm from CA, used to driving long distances, and a bit crazy. (LOL) Any excuse for a road trip!

But many people at least in areas like ours or mine, aren't putting any extra into these eggs and expecting reputible breeder quality pricing. And that is where I have a problem. If I were to go to a reputible breeder or after a more rare breed, I would definetly expect to pay more. I expect to pay more for any pure bred eggs. I don't expect to pay $10 for a dozen for mixed breed eggs from a backyard raiser that sells the same eggs for eating at $3 dozen. You're putting extra money into birds to produce a better quality chicken, then yes, you recoupe the cost through sales and that's understandable. Most BYC raisers (in my area) aren't going above and beyond to feed their chickens anything more than regular commercial feed and free ranging. And I, as a consumer am not willing to pay $40-50 dollars for shipped eggs (especially when you still have to add the shipping and packaging) on the expected hatch rates for shipped eggs. Not saying that the seller isn't entitled to what the eggs are worth, but for a consumer like me, it's too big of a wager to spend $75-100 on eggs to have one or two hatch (theoretically of course). Local eggs I'd be willing to spend $30 if it was something I really wanted, just not shipped.

And anything is a pay the price or move on. The OP posed a very good and valid question that brings up a lot of different thinking and different points. Nothing wrong with the question being asked or those of us that want to share our opinions and feelings on it. There have been some very good points brought out as to why SOME eggs are worth the higher prices, and very valid arguments about why some are over priced. Like anything else they all can't be lumped into one catagory and easily defined. You have many factors to look at in judging wether the price is fair. I don't have any stock in my flock that charging more than $3-5 dollars for my mixes and $5-10 for the Spitz (a dozen) would be fair. I have some pretty birds, most have great dispositions and since they are artificially incubated/brooded and handled a good share are personable. Some of their coloring is awesome. But they are mixes. The ones that are laying are decent layers. Still considered pullets. Well fed and cared for. If I had show quality chickens I would expect a fair price as I would expect to pay a fair price. (Not that I will be buying any anytime soon...lol Unless I can get my hands on some really fluffy showgirls.

) I just think there's a big difference in what you should expect from a byc raiser and a reputible breeder.

X2

What would you consider uncommon quality?

Each breed of chicken has a SOP- Standard of Perfection that outlines what the "Ideal" bird should be. The closer you get to SOP, and if the bird has great health, comes from healthy stock, has good size and nice eggs according to their breed, they will be worth more.