Hatching eggs for sale: where to find them and what to look for.

When you starting incubating your own chicks it's not easy to know where to find hatching eggs – and how to know if the seller is reputable.

If you have your own flock to take fertile eggs from, that's ideal. If not, you need to know where to look for a reliable source of hatching eggs for sale.

Here are 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.

Important points to remember about eggs for incubating, wherever they're for sale...

1. 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 the reputable breeders in your area 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.

• Searching on Facebook for whichever breed you're interested in will often find specialist breeders. I've certainly had a lot of success doing it that way.

2. Eggs for incubating for sale in the USA.

Living in Europe, I don't have personal experience of sources of eggs for incubation for sale in the USA.

However, hatcheries, which are very popular sources in the USA, can be a great place to source eggs and chicks. 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. Because they're produced on a commercial scale, the chicks are unlikely ever to reach show standard. But they're perfectly good examples of their breed.

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.

My recommendation: Cackle Hatchery.

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

This is a Light Sussex chick, hatched from an egg bought from Sian, one of my recommended breeders. Behind the chick you can see my favourite small incubator – Brinsea's Mini Advance. 

Below are my personal recommendations for hatching eggs for sale in the UK. 

I do not get paid for recommending these sellers. I know them are reliable because I have used them myself, so I am confident in recommending them to you.

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

eBay hatching eggs for sale.

It's fairly common to find hatching eggs for sale on eBay and other auction platforms like Craigslist.

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 many posts from people telling how none of the hatching eggs they paid – sometimes substantial – amounts of money for have actually 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 those below is an immediate sign 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 will not 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.

Using the internet to find hatching eggs for sale.

The internet can be 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 poultry websites. Take 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.

Buying hatching eggs using postal delivery.

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

Having carefully chosen the source of your hatching eggs, you need to make sure to avoid the heartache this person feels.

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 hatching eggs are to be sent by ordinary post, check that it will be the fastest available service. The longer eggs are in transit, the more likely 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.

More information about how to incubate and hatch chicken eggs.