Where to Buy Fresh Fertilized Chicken Egg for Hatching

If you want to start a backyard flock or grow your current one, buying fresh fertilized chicken eggs is a good choice. These eggs, also known as fertile eggs or embryonated eggs, come from local farms, hatcheries, and online stores. Whether you need broiler eggs for meat or layer eggs for fresh eggs, finding quality hatching eggs is key.

Cackle Hatchery is a reliable place to buy hatching eggs online. They have a wide range of chicken breeds for different needs, with a 70% to 80% hatch rate for some breeds. They ship eggs on Fridays for most breeds, except for Ayam Cemani and Bobwhite quail eggs, which go out on Mondays. They also offer local pickup on Fridays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm for those who prefer to pick up their eggs in person.

Stromberg’s is another trusted source for fertile eggs. They sell over 70 types of chicken hatching eggs and eggs from other birds like quail, duck, turkey, and guinea. They ensure their eggs are fresh, using them in their own incubators. But, remember, the eggs’ journey can affect the hatch rate, so they include extras in every box.

When buying hatching eggs, start incubation within 2 days of getting them. Make sure your incubator is ready at least three days before. Hatching eggs are usually available from late January to early June. Also, while Cackle Hatchery follows USDA quality standards, they don’t offer discounts for 4H and FFA on hatching egg sales.

Key Takeaways

• Hatching eggs are available from local farms, hatcheries, and online retailers.
• Cackle Hatchery offers a wide selection of chicken breeds with a 70-80% hatch rate for specific breeds.
• Stromberg’s sells over 70 varieties of chicken hatching eggs, as well as eggs from other poultry species.
• Start the incubation process within 2 days of arrival and have the incubator running for at least three days in advance.
• Availability of hatching eggs for sale typically runs from late January to early June.

Understanding Fertilized Chicken Eggs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWXvMrZ6qXY

Fertilized chicken eggs are fascinating for those into poultry breeding. They show the amazing process of life starting. These eggs come from hens after they mate with a rooster. When incubated right, they can hatch into chicks.

What Are Fertilized Chicken Eggs?

After a hen mates with a rooster, her eggs can become fertile. The rooster’s sperm stays in the hen’s oviduct for 24-48 hours. This makes the eggs fertile for about 10-14 days.

Fertile eggs have a “bullseye” spot on the yolk. This spot has concentric circles around a white dot. But, a blood spot in an egg doesn’t mean it’s fertile.

Also, fertilized eggs that haven’t been incubated are safe to eat. They taste and are as nutritious as unfertilized eggs.

Advantages of Using Fertilized Eggs

Using fertilized eggs for egg incubation lets you see chick development up close. Candling eggs at day 7 and 14 shows if they’re fertile. You’ll see dark spider web lines leading to a dark spot in fertile eggs.

“Fertile eggs need a constant temperature of 85 degrees or more for several hours to develop. Refrigeration of fertile eggs prevents any development as they require near 100 degrees for 21 days to hatch.”

When buying fertilized eggs for hatching, check the source and success rates. A study found only 1 out of 8 eggs from a local source hatched. This means a 12.5% success rate. Proper storage, handling, and incubation are key to hatching eggs.

Best Sources for Purchasing Fertilized Eggs

Looking to buy fertilized chicken eggs for hatching? You have several reliable sources to choose from. These include local farms and hatcheries, online retailers, and agricultural expos and fairs. Each option has its own benefits and things to consider, so think about what you need before you buy.

Local Farms and Hatcheries

Local farms and hatcheries are great places to find fertile eggs. They often have many chicken breeds and offer fresh, local eggs. Buying from local farms usually means a higher hatch rate, about 80% under the best conditions. Plus, you can see the eggs in person and talk to the farmer about any questions or concerns.

Online Retailers

Online stores like Cackle Hatchery and Stromberg’s Chickens make it easy to buy hatching eggs from home. They have a wide range of chicken breeds and give detailed info on each. But, remember that shipped eggs might have a lower hatch rate, around 50% or less, because of the travel stress.

When buying online, consider these points:

• Seller feedback and how quick they respond
• The average hatching rate (75% is good)
• How they ship the eggs
• If they’re NPIP certified

“I bought 9 eggs online, and 5 hatched. It’s key to let shipped eggs rest for 12-24 hours before incubating to let the air cell settle.”

Agricultural Expos and Fairs

Agricultural expos and fairs are great for meeting breeders and buying eggs in person. These events have lots of poultry exhibits and vendors. You can ask breeders questions, get tips, and pick eggs that fit your needs. Just remember, the breeds available might change based on the event and who’s there.

Always choose eggs from reputable sellers who handle and store them well. This ensures the best chance of successful hatching. With some research and careful thought, you can find the right fertile eggs to start your backyard chicken flock.

Factors to Consider When Buying Fertilized Eggs

Starting a poultry breeding journey means choosing the right fertilized eggs is key. Whether you want to raise broiler eggs or layer eggs, several factors are important. They help ensure a successful hatch and healthy chicks.

Breed Selection

First, decide on the breed that fits your goals. Do you want eggs for meat, laying, or showing? Research each breed’s traits and needs. Remember, younger chickens, 1-3 years old, have the best fertility and hatch rates.

Egg Quality and Health

Choose embryonated eggs from trusted sources with healthy flocks. Look for suppliers in programs like the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). This ensures the eggs’ health and quality. Fresh eggs, laid in 5-7 days, hatch best.

Keep eggs at 10-15 degrees Celsius and turn them 2-3 times daily. Backyard Chickens suggests checking seller ratings and fertility indicators. Also, consider the cost of the eggs.

“Only fertilized eggs that have been incubated under proper conditions can develop into a chick.” – Poultry Expert

Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling are critical for a successful hatch. Make sure eggs are packed well to avoid damage. Choose suppliers who provide a delivery receipt for safe arrival.

After getting the eggs, handle them carefully. Avoid shaking or jolting them, as it can lower hatchability.

By thinking about breed, egg quality, and shipping, you’re set for a successful hatch. You’ll get healthy chicks and grow your poultry flock.

Ensuring Fertility of Chicken Eggs

When raising chicken eggs for hatching, making sure the eggs are fertile is key. Fertilization happens when a rooster mates with a hen. This allows the egg to hatch into a chick when incubated. To boost fertility, keep the right number of roosters to hens and give them 14-16 hours of light daily.

Chicken eggs are most fertile between 1-3 years old. The peak time for natural fertility is in spring and early summer. But, winter is when fertility is lowest. Keeping the coop at 18-24°C is vital for egg fertility. Also, feeding hens and roosters high-quality food helps produce better eggs and sperm for poultry breeding.

Signs of Fertility

To check if chicken eggs are fertile, several methods work. The candling method shines a light through the egg to see if an embryo is growing. It can start as early as 3-4 days after egg incubation. The float test is less precise but often used. Electronic egg testers give quick and accurate results.

It’s best to collect eggs for hatching often to keep them clean. Handle them gently to avoid damage. Also, keep the nest box clean to prevent bacteria from affecting fertility. If eggs are a bit dirty, you can clean them with a knife or cloth. But don’t overdo it, as it can remove the protective cuticle.

“Proper poultry management software usage can help in tracking and optimizing flock health parameters for better fertility rates.”

Storing fertile eggs at 12°C to 15°C for 7-10 days before incubation is important. Mark the eggs with a date and breed for tracking. Turn them daily in an egg box while they’re stored. If you’re having trouble with fertility, check for issues like genetics, health, environment, nutrition, and age.

Hatching Fertilized Eggs Successfully

Hatching chicken eggs at home is rewarding but needs careful planning. To hatch eggs well, set up your incubator right and keep the right conditions for 21 days. Learn more about egg incubation to ensure success.

Choose an incubator with features like forced-air and temperature control. Look for a digital display, egg turner, alarm, and viewing window. The Manna Pro Nurture Right 360 and Brinsea Products Ovation 28 EX are good options. Incubate six eggs at once for the chicks’ social growth.

Incubation Basics

For the best hatching results, follow these steps:

• Set up the incubator three days before the eggs arrive.
• Use eggs 0-7 days old, up to 10 days old is okay.
• Keep the temperature at 99.5°F for forced-air or 102°F for others.
• Turn eggs 3-5 times daily for the first 18 days, manually or with an egg turner.
• Candle eggs between days 7-10 to check on the embryos and spot non-developing eggs.

Temperature and Humidity Control

Temperature and humidity are key for chick growth. Keep humidity at 35-40% for days 0-17, then 65-70% for days 18-21. Small changes in humidity can affect hatching, so watch it closely with a hydrometer.

Remember, patience is key when hatching eggs. Chicks can hatch in 5 to 24 hours after starting. Some eggs may take up to 23 days if stored before incubation. By following these tips and watching your incubator, you’ll hatch healthy chicks.

Care and Management of Chicks

After hatching, the real work starts with caring for the chicks. Proper chick development is key for successful poultry breeding. This is true for both broiler and layer eggs. The first weeks are critical, needing careful attention to their diet and home.

Chicks need a brooder for the first six weeks. The temperature should start at 95°F (35°C) and drop by 5°F (2.8°C) each week. Good ventilation is also key to keep air fresh and prevent harmful gases.

Nutrition Requirements

Chicks need a balanced diet for growth. Starter feed, high in protein (20-22%), should be available all the time. Make sure the feed is fresh and clean. Water should always be available too.

“Quality management at each stage of broiler production chain is essential for profitability.”

As chicks grow, their diet needs to change. Around 6-8 weeks, switch to grower feed with less protein. Watch their growth and adjust their diet for the best development and egg production.

Housing Considerations

Chicks need a safe, comfortable home. The brooder should have enough space, at least 1 square foot (0.09 square meters) per chick. More space is needed as they grow to avoid stress.

The brooder should also have good bedding, like wood shavings or straw. This keeps them warm and dry. Clean the brooder often to prevent disease.

Protecting chicks from predators is also vital. The brooder should be secure, with no gaps. As they grow, use predator-proof fencing and secure coops outside.

Good nutrition, a comfortable home, and safety from predators are key. This care ensures healthy chicks grow into productive chickens. Whether raising broilers or layers, the effort will pay off with a thriving flock.

Legal Considerations for Buying Fertilized Eggs

Entering the world of poultry breeding and buying fertilized hatching eggs comes with legal rules. Laws about selling and moving embryonated eggs differ by state. It’s key to know and follow local laws. Some places might limit shipping eggs or need special permits for owning poultry.

To make sure your egg purchase is legal, consider these points:

Regulations by State

Every state has its own rules for poultry and hatching eggs. Before buying, check the laws in your state and the seller’s state. Some states might ask for health certificates, permits, or even ban egg imports. Knowing these rules helps avoid legal trouble and ensures a good poultry breeding experience.

Transportation Laws

Shipping fertilized eggs also has its own set of laws. Most states have rules to keep eggs safe and healthy during transport. These rules might cover packaging, temperature, and how long eggs can be shipped. It’s best to ship eggs in groups of four dozen to reduce damage risk. Also, avoid shipping during very hot or cold weather, as it can harm the eggs’ chances of hatching.