People unwilling to sell hatching eggs!

[Slothinc]

I have asked 3 local chicken people if I can buy hatching eggs and all 3 have said nope. I also had a horrible experience a few months ago asking someone who would have to ship eggs if they would sell any to me and they got angry and blocked me! This is all very surprising to me.

I am being kind in my messages to them. I am just wondering if there is a better way to ask people - one that may yield better results??

How would you suggest approaching someone who has chickens but isn’t advertising eggs for sale, to see if you could purchase some eggs to hatch? Thank you for any suggestions!!!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I have asked 3 local chicken people if I can buy hatching eggs and all 3 have said nope. I also had a horrible experience a few months ago asking someone who would have to ship eggs if they would sell any to me and they got angry and blocked me! This is all very surprising to me.

I am being kind in my messages to them. I am just wondering if there is a better way to ask people - one that may yield better results??

How would you suggest approaching someone who has chickens but isn’t advertising eggs for sale, to see if you could purchase some eggs to hatch? Thank you for any suggestions!!!

Not everyone sells hatching eggs just because they have chickens. Some don't have a male to breed period, some might know they have a genetic issue in their flock and don't want to spread it/have people get mad at them when they hatch eggs and they get issues. I have a few pens I had to retire early because I was getting problems with all the daughters or was getting poor survival period or was getting other issues in such as scissor beaks, cataracts early on, ect

 

[Kolbeslayadayinn]

Just me, but , unless they state they ship eggs, then I wouldn't ask, that said, they shouldn't be rude back.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I did try to make a post in my local group asking about what I am looking for and not a lot of people have silkies out here that aren’t the hatchery ifa/tractor supply silkies. The few that seem to have better quality don’t sell eggs and they all seem cold towards me when I ask

It sounds like you may be looking for show quality Silkies. Some breeders are helpful and are glad to help spread the love for their breed. Some may not think their chickens are of good enough quality to sell. Some may not want the competition. Some will not sell eggs because they don't know what quality will hatch but might pick out a breeding trio of adults for you. Some will only sell if they think you have a passion for their breed. I've seen a lot of different stories on this forum over the years. Anyone selling eggs from decent show quality chickens are not likely to be cheap. It costs a lot of money and effort to breed them. It helps to be passionate about them, which can lead to certain behaviors.

I have no idea what is going in in your specific situation. All I can suggest is to try going to chicken shows and chat with the people showing their Silkies. Or try to find breeders near you to chat with, not all will say no but it may take work. Or maybe risk shipping eggs to hatch. Sometimes you get decent hatches from shipped eggs, sometimes they are horrible.

 

[Molpet]

Where are you asking?
I'm on local FB chicken groups and people post a discussion, not an ad , that they are looking for hatching butt nuggets. FB gets weird about selling animals. I have had turkey eggs for sale posts and FB said it went against standards.
Anyway in the chicken groups lots of local people reply to chicken posts. This year nobody wants turkey eggs

 

[Country Birds]

I live in Southern Idaho and I look at the KSL classifieds frequently and I’ve seen people selling silkie hatching eggs before in different parts of Utah. Silkies seem to be in high demand this year and a lot of them aren’t the best layers, so that could be one factor in why it’s so hard to find hatching eggs.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Are you asking people here? I check the Buy/Sell/Trade Forums frequently and haven't seen anyone being rude.
What breed(s) are you looking for?
I have fertile eggs I'd be glad to send you, but they'd be mixed breed chicks. I also am not certified so I don't know if I even could. I need to look that up .

You need to be certified to ship out of state legally

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Id look on a local FB group if your looking for eggs.
On the one im on people are always posting eggs and chicks for sale.

You do have to be certified to ship eggs.

 

[Slothinc]

Not everyone sells hatching eggs just because they have chickens. Some don't have a male to breed period, some might know they have a genetic issue in their flock and don't want to spread it/have people get mad at them when they hatch eggs and they get issues. I have a few pens I had to retire early because I was getting problems with all the daughters or was getting poor survival period or was getting other issues in such as scissor beaks, cataracts early on, ect

I totally understand that. All of the people I have contacted are breeders, who keep males and advertise chicks. I believe in my area people won’t sell eggs because they “can’t make as much $$$ on eggs.” Only one person has actually said that, so I’m not sure about the others, which now I’m remembering a 4th local person who also told me no. I guess maybe it’s just something that is common in our area. I am new to the area and it’s just kind of strange.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

I did try to make a post in my local group asking about what I am looking for and not a lot of people have silkies out here that aren’t the hatchery ifa/tractor supply silkies. The few that seem to have better quality don’t sell eggs and they all seem cold towards me when I ask. I honestly didn’t know it was offensive to ask about it - I thought people would be flattered that others want some of their stock!

Im my mind I see a marketable need. Go on a very reputable site and purchase silkies with the characteristics you desire. Purchase, breed, good biosecurity, and next year sell fertile eggs, hatch your own and sell chicks.
If you want them locally and cannot find them, chances are someone else is in the same situation.