03/09/2026
"Quitters" in posted fertile eggs.
โToday we received an email from a customer who recently finished incubating an order of our Silkie Showgirl BSB and Chocolate Mauve silkie eggs -posted 10/08/26 to QLD.
โThe customer confirmed,
-2 eggs were clear at the initial candling, leaving 10 viable eggs.
- used a reliable incubator alongside a control group of their own eggs which hatched perfectly. This confirms there was no error in their incubation.
- โUnfortunately, only 2 chicks hatched from the remaining ten.
Naturally, the customer was incredibly disappointed, mentioned regretting the purchase & having faith in us, and noted that they had found others who experienced similar heartbreak from our eggs.
โPlease kindly note that there is always a significantly greater risk of late stage "quitters" and weak chicks when eggs are posted.
No matter how well the eggs are packaged, how intact the air cells appear, or how perfect your incubation process is, we simply cannot measure the internal micro disruptions caused by transit stress. Embryos will begin developing because the eggs are fertile, but they may lack the strength to make it out of the shell, or even if they do, they can sometimes fail to thrive. This delicate reality is an inherent risk of shipping fertile eggs that both the breeder and the buyer must understand & agree to.
Since 2019, โWe have been shipping our eggs all around Australia. We sent over 500+ parcels left our hands last season alone. While the majority of our customers achieve a 40 to 70 percent hatch rate, and some are exceptionally lucky to get higher, there will always be a portion of hatches that simply do not go to plan for various reasons and not so satisfied customers. Sadly, this is the reality of posting fertile eggs.
- โOur DOA policy covers any physical damage upon arrival
- Viability matter Policy covers 50% of non developing eggs within the first 10 days, whether the cause was shipping stress or fertility. This ensures the loss is not entirely on the customer when early development fails.
โFrom day 10 until the final hatch, the journey is up to the mother nature & a bit of luck. We can breed chickens, test the eggs, and pack them but we cannot make them hatch.
Regardless of how costly the eggs are, we simply cannot guarantee final hatch rates.12/12 could be perfectly viable on day 10, but it is possible that only one might hatch if not none.
โIf you are considering ordering posted fertile eggs from us this season, please take a moment to research what to expect and take your time to read through our T&C on the website prior to ordering.
โIf the uncertainty feels a bit too stressful, we respectfully request that you do not place an order. Please find a wonderful local breeder who can supply eggs for pick up. Removing the postal risks entirely is truly the best way to ensure a joyful hatch.
There is a saying among experienced breeders, "Don't count the your chicks before they hatch"
Because we know how things are like.
*We are really sorry about the boring topic for those who are just following us for happy chooks!*
