Where to find hatching eggs for sale.

When you're just starting out hatching your own chicks it's not always easy to know where to find fertile eggs for sale - and how to know if the seller is reputable.

If you have your own flock to take fertile eggs from, that's ideal. But if you don't, you need to know something about where to look for a reliable point of sale.

I found out by trial and error, and I've written this page so that you don't have to.

Here, you'll find general dos and don'ts and some specific sources I've found, all of which I've either used myself or know someone trustworthy who has.

Please remember this about hatching eggs, wherever they're for sale...

Even under the best possible circumstances, not every egg will hatch. Some just aren't fertile, some start to develop and for various reasons stop.

On average you can expect a hatch rate of around 80% if they are from a reliable stock, kept in perfect conditions and you have a reliable incubator.

BUT - and this is an important "but" - if your eggs are delivered by post the hatch rate is likely to drop to 50% or less.

Why?

Because however careful a carrier is, there's likely to be jolting around in transit, and because storage conditions in postal depots won't be the optimum a hatching egg requires.

See these links to my other articles for more information about what often happens to those sent by post, and how to store eggs for a successful hatch. 

Rule #1 : eBay is not always a reliable source!

It's fairly common to find hatching eggs for sale on eBay and other auction platforms - along with livestock and sometimes, even "rescue" animals.

eBay is good for many things, but buying fertile eggs is not one of them. The same goes for other internet resources such as Craigslist.

Why not?

Look around chicken-keeping forums and you'll find a lot of posts from people telling how none of the clutch they paid - sometimes substantial - amounts of money for have hatched. 

Can't they complain?

Of course. But all the seller has to say is "sorry, we can never guarantee fertility". Which is true - but an easy get-out. 

Receiving eggs like these below is an immediate indication you've not bought from a reputable seller. No self-respecting breeder would tolerate such dirty conditions for their hens, let alone sell in this state.

And eggs as dirty as this can't be incubated successfully. They're a sure source of bacteria even if cleaned off. And bacteria in the warm, humid conditions of an incubator will spread rapidly.

If you're determined to buy from sources like this, at least check out the seller as far as you can. 

• Do they have a website? Are there pictures of their own chickens? Can you tell whether they're real poultry-lovers or just out to make money?

• Contact them. Can they answer questions about how their hens are cared for, what they're fed, how often the eggs are collected? Or are they just interested in the sale?

• Remember: you need to make very certain you're not introducing disease into your flock.

If you're not sure about a seller, don't buy. It's just not worth the heartache.

Still think eBay is a good place to buy hatching eggs?

 Watch this video to see why you should find a more reliable source!

Rule #2: Don't rule out the internet completely!

The internet is a great place to find reliable individual breeders who are producing hatching eggs for sale from their own flock, and doing it well. I've found some excellent sources in this way.

How to find them?

Two ways. A simple internet search for "hatching chicken eggs in xxx" - where 'xxx' is your area - will often bring up websites. Take the time to look at them closely. 

• Are there pictures of the chickens - preferably with the owner? Do they seem to know what they're talking about? Do they specialise in just a few breeds - or better still, just one? Do they have positive feedback from customers?

• These are all good signs, and this is the way I have found some of my most reliable sources.

• Facebook can also be a good place to look, too. It's easier to tell when someone is a genuine chicken-lover and producing good quality chickens - the pictures are there for all to see.

• Additionally, posts give a good indication of how involved they are in their flock's well-being, and contacting is very easy.

Rule #3: Ask a breed club what hatching eggs they have for sale.

If you're looking for purebred chickens, one of the best sources of information is the breed club. They will know who the reputable breeders in your area are and will be able to point you in the right direction.

• Plan ahead. Going to poultry shows to make contacts is a great solution. There are always breed experts there, ready and willing to share their knowledge of their chosen breed. They'll be much more interested in how you intend to keep the chickens than in getting the sale.

• Some clubs have a list of breeders on their website. They're a fount of knowledge and it's well worth taking the time to contact them.

• Where possible, on each of my pages about chicken breeds you'll find the name and website address of its club. I also include the name of breeders I'm personally aware of as a reliable source.

Rule #4: Be aware of the drawbacks of hatcheries.

Hatcheries are a popular source of both hatching eggs and chicks in America, not so much in Europe. They can be a great place to source eggs and chicks from. They have thousands of different breeds of hatching eggs for sale from early Spring each year. 

The difference between a hatchery and a breeder is simple: breeders have a limited amount of high quality eggs for sale. They care about their flock and are careful about how they breed.

Hatcheries produce large numbers of eggs which, because they're produced on a commercial scale, are likely to be less high quality. You may have to buy a minimum number, and that minimum may be more than you want. In addition, you may find that chicks you receive are not all female, even when you've ordered female chicks.

• Find a hatchery you're comfortable with: call them and talk to them. Look online for reviews - and don't just take the five-star reviews. Take a selection and look for patterns.

• Are customers generally happy? Great. If there is an obvious history of dissatisfaction, find somewhere else.

• See below for recommendations.

Rule #5: Ask these questions if you are relying on postal delivery.

Although it's obviously preferable to collect your eggs at the point of sale, it's not always possible.

Where I live in Italy there are no breeders of unusual chickens. I rely on either bringing fertile eggs back by plane from the UK, or getting them delivered by post. Through trial and error I've learned what to request when ordering fertile eggs by mail.

• Firstly - how will they be packed? Ordinary cartons are generally not strong enough. The best packing is polystyrene containers placed inside another box, taped well and wrapped securely in strong paper.

• They should be clearly marked 'fragile' and preferably, 'fertile / live hatching eggs'.
  

• Secondly - how will they be sent? Courier service is best because it's generally quickest, although you may have to pay a premium.

• If the eggs are to be sent by ordinary post, check that it will be the fastest available service. The longer your eggs are in transit, the more likely it is they'll be damaged and less fertile.

• Thirdly - is your local post office depot aware that you are expecting them? The last thing you want is for chicks-to-be languishing in a warehouse for several days. Be sure, for example,  that if you're out when they're delivered, the postal services are aware that you need to be contacted immediately.

• And finally: hatching eggs sent by post can sometimes have detached air cells if they've been handled roughly, which is why it's so important they are properly packaged and labelled. To see a picture of what this looks like and what the problems with it are, follow this link.
• Allow the eggs to stand for at least 24 hours after you receive them before setting them in the incubator.

Some reliable sources of hatching eggs and chicks for sale in the UK.

(For US egg sales, click here).

Searching on Facebook for whichever breed you're interested in will normally find what you're looking for. I've certainly had a lot of success doing it that way.

This is a Light Sussex chick, hatched from an egg bought from one of my recommended breeders. Behind her, you can see my favourite small incubator - Brinsea's Mini Advance. To her side (on the left of the photo) is my Brinsea Octagon 20 incubator.

Below you'll find my personal recommendations for people I've bought from, or know to be excellent providers of fertile hatching eggs. 

I do not get paid any kind of commission for recommending these sellers. I know them to be reliable because I have used them myself, so I feel happy recommending them to you.

All of them are much more interested in selling to someone who cares, rather than making a lot of profit.

Where to buy in the USA.

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