How We Prepare Fertilized Eggs
|
Our parent birds are all raised in open air aviaries, where they receive diets tailored to their specific needs along with plenty of attention and fresh air. We firmly believe that happy and healthy birds will create stronger and healthier eggs. Our eggs are collected daily and are immediately cleansed in a mild cleanser. All eggs are then cold/ cool stored until packaging which helps to ensure maintenance of fertility prior to pickup. On the date of pickup, all eggs are candled and then carefully packed.
Throughout the laying season, we regularly incubate test batches of our eggs to ensure that healthy chicks do hatch. We cannot guarantee your final hatch rate as there are many variables, but we can guarantee that we will ensure you experience in working with us is pleasant. We believe in sharing our knowledge, so please contact us any time with any questions or concerns. Also please review our FAQs section below for additional information. |
|
FAQS About Our Fertilized Eggs
Can I eat these?
No, these eggs are not intended for human consumption. These eggs are fertilized (capable of growing or developing into a chick) and are intended to be set in an incubator or under a broody hen to be hatched.
Do you ship eggs?
We cannot ship eggs outside of the state of Pennsylvania as we have not yet pursued NPIP certification.
Do you wash the eggs before packaging them?
Yes 100% of our eggs are washed prior to packaging. Some people are concerned that washing of eggs removes a large amount of the bloom (the protective coating) of the egg, which thereby decreases fertility. We have experimented with both eggs we received shipped and eggs we collected on site, washed and unwashed, and found that washed eggs not only did not experience a noticeable decrease in fertility but they also helped to keep incubation equipment cleaner. The cleanser we use is mild, and we regularly incubate test batches of eggs to confirm our process is effective.
How do I handle the eggs when I receive the package?
Transport your eggs home and ensure they are kept cool (ideally 50-70F) while in transit; ie: do not let them sit in a hot vehicle. When you arrive home set the eggs immediately under a broody hen or in a waiting incubator. It is important for the viability of your eggs that you be aware of how to operate your incubator, and the manufacturer recommended settings for your eggs. Your incubator should always be running prior to setting the eggs to ensure it is functioning properly. When setting your eggs in the incubator please follow the manufacturer settings regarding egg placement and position (ie: where the air cells should be).
After setting your eggs, follow your incubator manufacturer recommendations regarding opening the incubator and maintenance. It is crucial that you be aware of how long your eggs need to incubate, before going into lockdown.
How do you pack the eggs?
Given our experience in filling dozens of orders of eggs every year, we believe that air flow and clean conditions are most important. All eggs are packed in clean cartons which will allow for air exchange.
How many of the eggs will actually hatch?
All the eggs we offer are from confirmed fertile parents, however we cannot guarantee how many of the eggs will hatch. There are many variables which will affect hatch rates: incubation settings; incubator failure/ improper use; rough handling in transit; unstable temperatures in transit; parent fertility; freshness of egg; egg air-cell detachment; cleanliness of the egg/ incubator; and many more.
What does fertile mean?
The definition of fertile is “capable of growing or developing”. This means that in ideal conditions a percentage of the eggs would hatch into viable chicks. We only offer eggs from parents which have been shown to be fertile, but please note that fertility does not guarantee that you will hatch live chicks. Fertility of the egg decreases naturally over time, this is why eggs are always cold/ cool stored and offered for sale immediately. Fertility of the egg also may be decreased by rough handling, unstable temperatures, and other outside influences.
What if the eggs do not hatch?
We want our customers to be both knowledgeable and satisfied, so in rare cases in which none of the eggs hatch please reach out to us to discuss your situation.
No, these eggs are not intended for human consumption. These eggs are fertilized (capable of growing or developing into a chick) and are intended to be set in an incubator or under a broody hen to be hatched.
Do you ship eggs?
We cannot ship eggs outside of the state of Pennsylvania as we have not yet pursued NPIP certification.
Do you wash the eggs before packaging them?
Yes 100% of our eggs are washed prior to packaging. Some people are concerned that washing of eggs removes a large amount of the bloom (the protective coating) of the egg, which thereby decreases fertility. We have experimented with both eggs we received shipped and eggs we collected on site, washed and unwashed, and found that washed eggs not only did not experience a noticeable decrease in fertility but they also helped to keep incubation equipment cleaner. The cleanser we use is mild, and we regularly incubate test batches of eggs to confirm our process is effective.
How do I handle the eggs when I receive the package?
Transport your eggs home and ensure they are kept cool (ideally 50-70F) while in transit; ie: do not let them sit in a hot vehicle. When you arrive home set the eggs immediately under a broody hen or in a waiting incubator. It is important for the viability of your eggs that you be aware of how to operate your incubator, and the manufacturer recommended settings for your eggs. Your incubator should always be running prior to setting the eggs to ensure it is functioning properly. When setting your eggs in the incubator please follow the manufacturer settings regarding egg placement and position (ie: where the air cells should be).
After setting your eggs, follow your incubator manufacturer recommendations regarding opening the incubator and maintenance. It is crucial that you be aware of how long your eggs need to incubate, before going into lockdown.
How do you pack the eggs?
Given our experience in filling dozens of orders of eggs every year, we believe that air flow and clean conditions are most important. All eggs are packed in clean cartons which will allow for air exchange.
How many of the eggs will actually hatch?
All the eggs we offer are from confirmed fertile parents, however we cannot guarantee how many of the eggs will hatch. There are many variables which will affect hatch rates: incubation settings; incubator failure/ improper use; rough handling in transit; unstable temperatures in transit; parent fertility; freshness of egg; egg air-cell detachment; cleanliness of the egg/ incubator; and many more.
What does fertile mean?
The definition of fertile is “capable of growing or developing”. This means that in ideal conditions a percentage of the eggs would hatch into viable chicks. We only offer eggs from parents which have been shown to be fertile, but please note that fertility does not guarantee that you will hatch live chicks. Fertility of the egg decreases naturally over time, this is why eggs are always cold/ cool stored and offered for sale immediately. Fertility of the egg also may be decreased by rough handling, unstable temperatures, and other outside influences.
What if the eggs do not hatch?
We want our customers to be both knowledgeable and satisfied, so in rare cases in which none of the eggs hatch please reach out to us to discuss your situation.
This is a list of some of the most common bird species and the respective incubation periods. Please keep in mind that the majority of bird species require a 3 day "lockdown" period. Lockdown is generally the final 3 days of the incubation period, during which turning of the egg ceases and often humidity is increased.
As always please refer to your incubator manufacturer recommendations regarding how to handle lockdown with your incubator. Also, please ensure you are fully aware of the recommended incubation period and settings for the species of bird which you are handling. The button above is a link to a great resource on Incubator Warehouse.
As always please refer to your incubator manufacturer recommendations regarding how to handle lockdown with your incubator. Also, please ensure you are fully aware of the recommended incubation period and settings for the species of bird which you are handling. The button above is a link to a great resource on Incubator Warehouse.
Bobwhite Quail = 23 days
Coturnix Quail = 17 days
Chukar Partridge = 23-24 days
Duck = 28 days
Guinea Fowl = 28 days
Goose = 28-34 days
Pheasant = 23-28 days
Turkey = 28 days
Coturnix Quail = 17 days
Chukar Partridge = 23-24 days
Duck = 28 days
Guinea Fowl = 28 days
Goose = 28-34 days
Pheasant = 23-28 days
Turkey = 28 days
