Why I will probably not buy shipped eggs anymore

[FrenchToast]

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Actually, I've tried hatching before and tried hatching 5 other shipped egg batches from different breeders. The record went 3/8, 0/9, 1/12, 1/6, and 0/4. Granted this was a different incubator, but I felt really disappointed with the low numbers. Now, it looks like I'm getting the same low numbers with shipped eggs, which suggests I wasn't doing anything really wrong.I'm kind of disappointed, but of course, I will let the eggs incubate and see what comes up. But I'm unlikely to have eggs shipped again.

I'm sorry, I'm a bit confused here, you stated you had low numbers before and now which suggests you aren't doing anything wrong ?? Not saying that you are but how do you figure? I can see if you had good hatch rates and all of a sudden you aren't then it would be the eggs or shipping?

 

[FrenchToast]

Another thing you might consider if you buy shipped eggs is to try to find eggs that don't need to be shipped across the country. ie from NY to CA, bad idea.

 

[bustermommy]

I think I would try my own eggs in the new bator before I tried any more shipped eggs. I know they don't all work the same.

 

[SkyWarrior]

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Okay, this is my fault for not being clear.

When I first started incubating eggs, I had a hovabator and bought shipped eggs. Hatches were lousy. I assumed it was me.

I finally bought a Brinsea Mini and put eggs from my own chickens. Hatches are really good. 90-100%

Bought shipped eggs again. Looks like I'll be lucky to get 2 out of 7. Don't think it's me or my incubator this time. I suspect that this may have been the problem I was experiencing with the hovabator.

Makes sense now?

So sorry about that!

 

[SkyWarrior]

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Yep, done that. See my post above. My fault for being unclear.

 

[Illia]

So if it is more than one case, are you sure you're aiming to get them at the right time of year? From not too far a distances?

I've had some pretty darn good reports from my eggs sent all the way to the east coast, yes, but a closer distance is always recommended to someone who doesn't want to risk too much.

 

[bustermommy]

Sorry. Yes, I did misunderstand.

 

[SkyWarrior]

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Yeah, I think that's part of it. I'm in Montana, so it's kind of hard to find someone shipping eggs from close by.

 

[SkyWarrior]

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Distance is difficult. Right time of year?

I tried in the late summer and early fall. In this case, I got the eggs about 6 days ago. When would you recommend?

Our weather has been wonky, but it has been cool enough to not overcook or freeze the eggs.

 

[SkyWarrior]

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NP. It was my fault for the lack of clarity.