Author Topic: quality hatching eggs (Read 3668 times)

madchickenlady · « **on:** November 14, 2013, 06:26:45 pm »

Hi all, does anyone out there know a good quality producer of hatching eggs, I am particularly after dark Marran eggs, blue/green eggs and Faverolles. I have tried one or two online sellers but have not received what I expected, this could just be me and I do not expect a hundred per cent hatch rate, but some of what I have received seem to have a dubious provenance!

Big Light · « **Reply #1 on:** November 14, 2013, 06:29:54 pm »

Wait till spring you will not get great rates of hatching at this time of the year

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 14, 2013, 07:02:55 pm »

I agree. It wouldn't be sensible for eggs to hatch naturally at this time of year. Too cold! Fertility drops with shortening days - hens can't eat enough in the short winter days to keep warm and produce eggs. Commercial hens only do so because they have artificial lighting available to extend their "day" to 14 hours. Laying and fertility will increase once days lengthen towards the end of March. I don't give my breeding hens any additional light and don't set the incubator until April. The weather will then normally be warm enough for the first batch of chicks to go outside, under good cover, once they're three weeks old.

madchickenlady · « **Reply #3 on:** November 14, 2013, 07:09:52 pm »

Not planning to get them now but just doing some homework. Thanks for your advice.

cloddopper · « **Reply #4 on:** November 14, 2013, 07:59:10 pm »

Quote from: madchickenlady on November 14, 2013, 06:26:45 pm

Hi all, does anyone out there know a good quality producer of hatching eggs, I am particularly after dark Marran eggs, blue/green eggs and Faverolles. I have tried one or two online sellers but have not received what I expected, this could just be me and I do not expect a hundred per cent hatch rate, but some of what I have received seem to have a dubious provenance!

It might be better to buy in a cockerel and three unrelated hens as well as an incubator or half a dozen bantam hens and do your own bloodlines .

HesterF · « **Reply #5 on:** November 14, 2013, 09:28:27 pm »

I hatched Marans and Araucanas from http://www.southyeofarm.co.uk/poultry/ this season. I only got four eggs of each and managed to chip one of the Marans getting it out of the packaging but the other three Marans were all fertile and hatched. Broody mum stood on one but I've got a beautiful pair now. Of the four Araucana eggs, two were fertile and hatched although one was weak and the cat got it when I brought it inside for TLC. The other is a hen who's looking good now. They also do Cream Legbars and Salmon Faverolles so they could be your answer. Like the others have said now is not the time but I'm sure Gillian can reserve some for you - she'll make sure her pens are producing fertile eggs before starting to send them out.

H

Stereo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2013, 09:36:13 am »

Agree, we've had good eggs from South Yeo.

ZacB · « **Reply #7 on:** November 18, 2013, 09:23:30 am »

Hi MadChickenLady, don't know about top quality but we have two small flocks, French Copper Black Marans and Cream Legbar. If you wanted you could have half a doz of each to test out the fertility FOC when they come into lay in the Spring. Not a million miles away from you I believe, we are in the village of Norton just up the A14.

Regards Zac

Stereo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2013, 10:28:21 am »

Do you post eggs Zac? We plan to do lots of Copper Blacks next year as we have a couple good cockerels so need some unrelated hens.

ZacB · « **Reply #9 on:** November 18, 2013, 11:48:27 am »

Quote from: Stereo on November 18, 2013, 10:28:21 am

Do you post eggs Zac? We plan to do lots of Copper Blacks next year as we have a couple good cockerels so need some unrelated hens.

Sorry Stereo no. Just keep as an interest/hobby and sell off surplus locally. If you are ever around this area more than happy to put some by though. (assuming all is well in the spring)