Sourcing Eggs For Hatching Chicks

So you have decided to hatch your own eggs, now you need to find a source.

Your Own Nest Box

The easiest and best method is to hatch eggs from your own hens and use one of your hens to hatch the eggs. As long as you have a rooster you can expect your eggs to be fertile and therefore potentially able
to produce a chick. It may seem obvious but a lot of people do ask; if you have no rooster and your hens have had no access to one, any eggs produced will not be fertile and will not be hatchable. If you are breeding for your backyard flock, you have the chance to choose eggs from hens you like, either for their looks, their laying ability, their friendliness or some other quality. I would only hatch eggs from my friendliest and healthiest hens.

If you are just starting out or have no rooster, you will have to source your hatching eggs from a third-party. You have the following options:

Source Hatching Eggs Locally

Another option is to find eggs from a local farm and feed store, or from a local breeder. You may often be able to buy fresh farm eggs from someone who sells their extra eggs and if they have a rooster, you may be able to hatch those eggs, talk to local small holders.

Eggs have the best chance of hatching when they are stored at about 60 degrees or so and turned occasionally. So buying eggs that have been in a refrigerator are unlikely to hatch. Similarly with shop bought ones, even if fertile most of these will be over a week old and the chances of hatching them again are slim. However even if you are lucky and mange to hatch an egg from a store or any box of eggs from an unknown source, remember you will not know what sort of chicken you are getting and it could be highly strung or if female a poor layer.

 

Rare Breed Specialists

If you wish to rear a specific breed of chicken and want to be sure it is going to be a pure breed you will need to go to a reputable hatchery. Try the breed club for the breed of chicken you wish to keep as they will have a list of trustworthy suppliers.

Online Listings

You can of course now buy hatching eggs on eBay and Craigslist and other similar listing sites. If purchasing from there be sure to ask for evidence that they have NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) certification or your country's equivalent as diseases can be passed from mother to chick through the egg.

Shipping

You will find that eggs from your own flock or bought locally will have a better hatching rate than shipped ones. Shipped eggs if treated roughly can often produce no chicks and even with a specialised carrier you should only expect a 50% hatching rate.