Where to Get Fertilized Chicken Eggs: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Have you ever dreamed of watching tiny chicks hatch right before your eyes? I certainly have! That magical moment when a little beak breaks through the shell is something truly special. But before you can experience this wonder, you need to know where to get fertilized chicken eggs that will actually hatch into those adorable fluffy chicks.

As someone who’s been raising chickens for years, I’ve learned that finding quality fertilized eggs isn’t always straightforward. Let’s explore the best places to find fertile eggs and what you should know before purchasing them.

What Are Fertilized Chicken Eggs?

Before diving into where to get them, let’s clarify what we’re talking about Fertilized chicken eggs are eggs that have been, well.. fertilized by a rooster! These eggs have the potential to develop into chicks when properly incubated, unlike the unfertilized eggs you typically find in grocery stores.

Some common misconceptions

• Myth: All eggs from farms with roosters are fertilized
• Truth: Even with roosters present, not all eggs will be fertilized
• Myth: Fertilized eggs look or taste different
• Truth: Without incubation, fertilized eggs look and taste identical to unfertilized ones

Top Places to Purchase Fertilized Chicken Eggs

1. Specialized Hatcheries

Hatcheries are my go-to source for fertilized eggs. They specialize in breeding poultry and typically offer a wide variety of chicken breeds.

Notable Hatcheries:

• Cackle Hatchery – They ship chicken hatching eggs on Fridays (except Ayam Cemani, Potluck Ultra Rare, and certain game bird eggs which ship on Mondays). They offer FREE SHIPPING on all hatching eggs!

• Stromberg’s Chickens – They sell around 70 varieties of fertile chicken-hatching eggs for incubation. Their selection includes not just chicken eggs but also quail, duck, turkey, guinea eggs, and more.

Both these hatcheries ship directly to your door, making them convenient options regardless of where you live in the USA (though shipping restrictions may apply to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands).

2. Local Farms

Don’t overlook local options! Many advantages to buying locally:

• Shorter shipping distance means less stress on the eggs
• Ability to inspect the parent flock
• Support local agriculture
• Often cheaper than shipped eggs
• Build relationships with local breeders

To find local farms:

• Check Facebook marketplace
• Visit farmers’ markets
• Ask at feed stores
• Look for “eggs for sale” signs in rural areas
• Join local poultry groups

3. Online Marketplaces

Several online platforms specialize in connecting buyers with sellers of fertile eggs:

• eBay – Yes, really! Many breeders sell hatching eggs there
• Craigslist – Check the farm & garden section
• BackYard Chickens Forum – Their classified section often has hatching eggs
• Poultry Show websites – Exhibitors sometimes sell eggs from their prize birds

4. Poultry Clubs and Associations

Joining a poultry club can be a fantastic way to connect with breeders who sell fertilized eggs. Many rare or heritage breed enthusiasts are active in these groups and often have eggs available during breeding season.

What to Consider When Buying Fertilized Eggs

1. Hatch Rates

Here’s something super important that many beginners miss: don’t expect 100% of your eggs to hatch! Even professional hatcheries typically achieve 70-80% hatch rates under ideal conditions.

For shipped eggs, the rates are often lower – sometimes as low as 50% or less. This is why:

• Shipping causes vibration and temperature fluctuations
• Eggs may sit at post offices longer than ideal
• Rough handling can damage invisible interior structures

Pro tip: Always order more eggs than the number of chicks you want!

2. Shipping Considerations

When getting eggs shipped, timing is everything:

• Most hatcheries only ship in spring and early summer
• Extreme temperatures can reduce hatch rates
• Be available to receive your package promptly
• Inspect eggs immediately upon arrival for cracks
• Let eggs rest pointed-end down for 24 hours before incubating

3. No Guarantees Policy

I’ve noticed most hatcheries have a strict “no guarantees” policy on hatching eggs. For example, Cackle Hatchery clearly states:

“We do not guarantee the hatchability or health of chicks due to many possible issues out of our control once they leave our facility.”

This is standard practice across the industry because so many factors affect hatchability once eggs leave their facilities.

4. Breed Selection

Different breeds have different characteristics, so choose accordingly:

• For beginners: Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, or Brown Egger™ varieties
• For rare breeds: Ayam Cemani or Potluck Ultra Rare Special Eggs
• For colorful eggs: Blue Egger™, Green Egger™, or Speckled Egger™ varieties

Price Ranges for Fertilized Eggs

Prices vary widely depending on:

• Breed rarity
• Season
• Quantity ordered
• Shipping costs

From what I’ve seen, expect to pay:

At Cackle Hatchery, prices start as low as $4.22 per egg for common varieties like Barred Rock and Rhode Island Red. Premium varieties like Ayam Cemani eggs cost around $14.99 per egg.

Preparing for Your Fertilized Eggs

Before ordering, make sure you have:

1. A reliable incubator – Set up and running 3 days before eggs arrive
2. A brooder – For after the chicks hatch
3. Chick supplies – Feed, waterer, heat source, etc.
4. Knowledge – Read up on incubation and chick rearing

What To Do When Your Eggs Arrive

1. Let them rest with the pointed end down for 24 hours
2. Check for cracks or excessive damage
3. Mark each egg with a pencil (not pen!) on one side
4. Place in incubator at 99.5°F with 50-60% humidity
5. Turn eggs at least 3 times daily (unless using auto-turner)
6. Stop turning at day 18
7. Increase humidity to 65-70% for the last 3 days

My Personal Experience

Last spring, I ordered 24 fertilized eggs from Cackle Hatchery – a mix of Blue Egger™ and Speckled Egger™ varieties. They arrived well-packaged with only one cracked egg (which is pretty good for shipped eggs!).

After 21 days of careful incubation, we ended up with 15 healthy chicks – about a 65% hatch rate. Not perfect, but totally reasonable for shipped eggs. The kids were AMAZED watching them hatch, and now we have beautiful hens laying gorgeous blue and speckled eggs!

Final Thoughts

Getting fertilized chicken eggs is an exciting first step in hatching your own chicks. Whether you choose a national hatchery like Cackle or Stromberg’s, or find a local farm, the experience of hatching your own chicks is truly rewarding.

Just remember:

• Order more eggs than you need
• Have all supplies ready before ordering
• Be patient – hatching takes 21 days
• Don’t expect perfect hatch rates
• Enjoy the process!

FAQ About Fertilized Chicken Eggs

How can I tell if an egg is fertilized?

You can’t tell just by looking at the outside. After 5-7 days of incubation, you can “candle” the egg by holding it up to a bright light in a dark room to see if development has begun.

Do fertilized eggs taste different?

Nope! Without incubation, a fertilized egg tastes identical to an unfertilized one.

How long do fertilized eggs stay viable?

For best results, incubate within 7-10 days of being laid. Viability decreases with each passing day.

Can I incubate eggs under a broody hen instead of an incubator?

Absolutely! A broody hen is nature’s perfect incubator. She’ll turn the eggs, maintain proper temperature, and even teach the chicks once they hatch.

What breeds are best for beginners?

Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks, and Buff Orpingtons have good hatch rates and are generally hardy chicks, making them excellent choices for first-time hatchers.

Can I hatch eggs from the grocery store?

Generally no. Commercial eggs are almost always unfertilized, and even in the rare case they were fertilized, they’ve been refrigerated which kills the embryo.

So now you know where to get those precious fertilized eggs! Whether you choose Cackle Hatchery with their free shipping, Stromberg’s with their 70+ varieties, or a local farm down the road, you’re in for an amazing experience watching those little chicks come into the world!