“Why Didn’t My Eggs Hatch?”
Short answer: Because shipped eggs are a freakin’ gamble.
Long answer? Grab a snack.
What Actually Happens When You Ship Hatching Eggs?
Whether you’re in Ohio or Oregon, every egg starts with hope—and survives a postal journey of chaos. The second those eggs leave our farm, they meet vibration, temperature swings, and the occasional postal worker who’s still mad about middle school.
Landrace eggs (like Swedish Flower Hens, Shetlands, Icelandics, etc.) are genetically tough, but even they can’t override physics.
The Cold, Hard Numbers
Here’s the blunt truth, backed by science and years of customer data:
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Best-case scenario: You get a 100% hatch—we’ve seen it, and yes, we cheered.
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Worst-case: Zero. Nada. Goose egg. That’s also happened, and we hate it every time.
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Most real-world results? 25–50% hatch rate is totally normal for shipped eggs, even when every step is perfect.
Clancy Crowed It:
“Sometimes you roll all sixes. Sometimes you roll snake eyes. Hatching shipped eggs is a gamble—no guarantees, no refunds from the universe.”
Real Stories from the Flock
“I received the perfect mix with 2 extra eggs. None broke during shipping. 8 days in and I'm happy to see 11 out of 14 are developing well! I can't wait tell hatch day!”
—Actual customer review, 2025
“I’ve bought from a ton of farms, but yours are the best. I keep coming back because I always get the best hatch rates for landrace breeds!”
—Repeat customer, 2025
“Four eggs out of fourteen, even with extra eggs. Disappointing.”
—Recent email
If you’re wondering how that’s possible in the SAME WEEK? Welcome to hatching shipped eggs.
Why the Big Variability?
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Shipping is rough. Eggs are living things, not Amazon packages. Every bump, shake, or temp drop can damage invisible structures inside the egg.
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Incubation matters. Even a small difference in humidity or temperature at home can tip the scales.
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Genetics play a role. Landrace breeds are tough, but also genetically diverse—sometimes that means a few duds in every clutch. That’s nature, not failure.
What We Actually Do (and Can’t Do) — Updated for 2025
We don’t just toss eggs in a box and hope for the best. Here’s how every order leaves our farm:
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Foam egg shippers: Every egg gets its own snug, protective slot—no rolling, no bumping, no “Russian roulette” with air cells.
Why not sawdust or shredded paper?
We’ve tested it all. Foam shippers keep eggs safest by stopping vibration and direct impact. Sawdust, straw, or wadded paper looks rustic, but it doesn’t stop an egg from cracking against its neighbor when the postal system gets rowdy. -
Double boxing: Your eggs go in a sturdy, crush-resistant inner box—then that box goes inside a second, shipping box surrounded by biodegradable packing peanuts. Yes, it costs us more. No, we don’t skimp.
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Packed for chaos: Every shipment is prepped like it’s headed through a farmyard obstacle course, because, let’s face it, some postal routes are obstacle courses.
And yes, we toss in extra eggs when we can—because the postal system has a wicked sense of humor.
Clancy Crowed It:
“If bubble wrap fixed everything, we’d wrap the whole postal system in it. But foam shippers are the next best thing.”
What we can’t do?
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Control what happens in transit—postal rodeos, weather swings, or those mysterious detours
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Turn a rough journey into a miracle hatch—sometimes luck just isn’t on your side
What to Do If Your Hatch Sucks
First, let yourself be disappointed. It’s normal. Then:
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Candle all eggs (even “clear” ones can surprise you)
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Let shipped eggs rest 12–24 hours before incubating
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Double-check your incubator with a separate thermometer/hygrometer
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Remember, sometimes you just get unlucky. Try again or try local pickup if you want better odds.
Can We Offer a Guarantee?
Nope. And anyone who says they can is lying, naïve, or hasn’t shipped enough eggs to know better.
Still Want to Gamble?
We hope so—because when it works, it’s magic. And you’re keeping landrace genetics alive, which matters more than a perfect scorecard.
FAQ: Shipped Eggs Edition
Q: Is it really possible to get 0% or 100% hatch?
A: Yes. Both have happened. Most people land somewhere in the middle. We wish it were different.
Q: What’s the average hatch rate for shipped landrace eggs?
A: 25–50% is totally normal. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower, depending on fate, weather, and postal karma.
Q: Do you guarantee fertility?
A: We test fertility here, but what happens in transit is out of our hands.
Q: What if I want better odds?
A: Contact us to pick up your eggs! Local eggs almost always hatch better than shipped, anywhere.
Clancy Crowed It:
“If you want guarantees, buy a plushie. If you want real chickens, bring a sense of humor and a lucky rabbit’s foot.”
Final Word: Why We’re Still Here
We breed rare chickens because they deserve a future—not because it’s easy. We don’t sugarcoat or gatekeep, and we’ll never make promises we can’t keep. If that sounds like your kind of farm, welcome to the flock. If not? No hard feelings.
Got your own hatch story? Good, bad, or ugly—drop us a line. We’ll commiserate, celebrate, or laugh about it with you.
