Question 1

How many eggs should I order?

Accepted Answer

Order more eggs than the number of chicks you want. A good hatch is 60–80% of eggs set, and roughly half of chicks will be cockerels. For 4–5 hens, a pack of 12 is a sensible start.

Question 2

Can I mix breeds in one order?

Accepted Answer

Yes — add as many breeds as you like to your basket. Use the Bundle Builder on the Deals page to mix and match for a discount.

Question 3

Do you take pre-orders for the breeding season?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Seasonal breeds show a 'Notify me' form, and pre-order deposits will be available for the spring season.

Question 4

Which days do you dispatch?

Accepted Answer

Monday to Wednesday only, with a 12:00 cut-off, so eggs never sit in a depot over a weekend. Orders placed after the Wednesday cut-off ship the following Monday.

Question 5

How are the eggs packed?

Accepted Answer

Each egg is wrapped and cradled pointy-end down in foam inserts inside a rigid outer box marked Fragile. See our Shipping & Packaging page for photos.

Question 6

What if eggs arrive cracked?

Accepted Answer

Photograph the box and eggs within 24 hours and email us. We'll replace cracked eggs or refund them under our guarantee.

Question 7

What should I do when the eggs arrive?

Accepted Answer

Unpack them carefully and let them rest pointy-end down in a cool room (not the fridge) for 12–24 hours before setting. This lets the air cell settle after travel.

Question 8

What temperature and humidity?

Accepted Answer

For a forced-air incubator: 37.5°C and 40–50% humidity for days 1–18, then 65–70% humidity from lockdown (day 18). Still-air incubators run at 38.5°C measured at egg-top height.

Question 9

When should I candle?

Accepted Answer

Day 7 and day 14. Remove clear (infertile) eggs at day 7 and any that have stopped developing at day 14. Use our Incubation Calculator for exact dates.

Question 10

Are your birds purebred?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every breeding pen contains a single breed and colour from documented lines. We never keep mixed pens.

Question 11

Which breeds are best for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Light Sussex, Buff Orpington, Cream Legbar, Welsummer and Barred Plymouth Rock are all calm, hardy and hatch well. Look for the 'Beginner friendly' tag or take our Breed Matcher quiz.

Question 12

Can you sex the eggs?

Accepted Answer

No one can sex an egg. Auto-sexing breeds such as the Cream Legbar can be sexed at hatch by their down colour.

Question 13

What does the fertility guarantee cover?

Accepted Answer

We guarantee at least 80% of eggs will show development at the day-7 candle when incubated correctly. If fewer do, send us candling photos and we'll replace the shortfall or refund it.

Question 14

Do you guarantee a hatch rate?

Accepted Answer

No seller can guarantee hatch rates — incubation conditions, handling and postal transit all play a part. We guarantee fertility and packaging, and we're here to help you get the best possible hatch.

Frequently asked questions

Ordering

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Incubation

Breeds

Guarantees