Barnyard Mix Fertile Chicken Hatching Eggs Raised on Organic (12 Eggs)

So I thought about getting chickens for a little more than 2 years, but the bird flu scared me from buying chicks from a local farm. I did a bit of research and discovered that if you hatch eggs and start your flock that way, you can prevent them from getting sick because the incubator kills the bird flu germs. When eggs went to $11 a dozen here in Colorado, I knew it was time. I got a basic incubator with humidity/temp control and automatic turning. I was thinking I was really late in the season for fertile eggs but I found Ladonna on Amazon and she had fertile eggs(it’s definitely warmer where they ship from). I got 12 eggs and shipping was quick. I also chose to have Fed Ex hold my eggs at the regional facility to prevent it from traveling around a van all day, I urge anyone else buying them from Ladonna to ask fedex to hold them at the main facility and pick them up yourself! They arrived in perfect condition and were immediately placed in the incubator on Dec 30th around 9pm. On day 21 (Jan 20) the first, and smallest egg began pipping. I have maintained a schedule of spraying the eggs and incubator down to maintain extra humidity since day 18. By this morning, still technically the 21st day, I had my first chick! I was very excited! As of this morning 5 more have began to pip and chirp and will soon be joining Bellina! She’s going to have a special place in my heart. I did my research, a lot, and the average hatch rate of chicks is 55%, so far we’ve hit that mark and I think the others are not far behind as they’ve pipped through to the air sac and are chirping. Even if I only end up with 6 chicks, that’s more than I planned on making it through my first attempt at incubating and hatching eggs! Anything over that is an added blessing! I think some of the less stellar reviews are from folks who don’t go into the process with the correct expectations. Chicks need a near perfect environment for incubation when you don’t have a momma hen to do the work. Lots of things can happen like if you try to candle them on days 11-14 you can kill them, if you live in a dryer climate you have to add extra moisture so they can hatch, if you lose power for too long and they get cold they can die. Bottom line is Ladonna does a great service of providing healthy fertile eggs, shipping them safely and providing folks like me the chance to have their own safe egg supply, at a reasonable price. The incubation is up to you. Came to edit to include pictures of the chicks at 7 weeks! I have some beautiful babies and I think all 6 are hens too! We’re almost done with the run and they’ll be heading out soon! I even somehow ended up with a lavender, a few Fibro Easter Eggers, a barred Wyandotte and a cinnamon queen. There’s only 1 that I’m not 100% on but it definitely looks like it’s half barred rock. Such beautiful and unique chickens! I know my flock is unlike others and that’s awesome! They are also healthy, happy and have good genetics!

When I got the eggs, they were very dirty and had a rotten smell. I candled them and I could see that they were bad. As a controlled experiment, I put them into my incubator together with some of my own farm eggs to see what happens. Some of these eggs exploded during incubation and the rest did not hatch. My own eggs did hatch. The seller did want to give a refund either. Amazon suggested I return them but how can I return cracked eggs?! Besides, I would not get refund on the shipping cost which was the majority of the expense. This experience was a total waste of time, and money. So stay away!

First time ever! the package was delivered earlier than scheduled date, so I didn't check and the package was therefore stayed outside the whole night. I was given 14 eggs, and I got 6 of them hatched, 5 of them were out on day 21, 6th was out day 23. The rest were either clear or with some shadow (maybe died inside during the developing) I am very satisfied as the first time hatching. For my 9 old daughter who was extremely happy and excited.

They shipped these eggs in a timely manner. When they arrived a few were broken in the box. The seller was understanding and issues credit for the damaged eggs. But turns out, none of the eggs received were fertile. No chickes started forming in the eggs. I am not leaving a negative review, and will not be one to complain as I understand that this is possible, chickens cant be watched 24/7 to know exactly what has been fertilized and what has not.

****Day 21 update: Sooo, still amazed at the results 9 of 12(14 but I don't count the 2 extras as part of what was expected). We have 9. Baby chicks that are happy and healthy (would definitely buy from here again! Giving the last 3 a couple more days to see if they'll hatch, but so far amazed by the results. (The 2 photos of the chicks in the brooder are all 9 chicks (5 in one and 4 in the other). Day 18 first part of review: They gave me 14 eggs! Unfortunately the 2 extras were needed as 2 went bad in the first 2 weeks of incubating. But now we have 6 of 12 already hatched and 3 more already pipping (1 naked neck, one bantam barred Plymouth rock, and unsure of the others (haven't gotten a good look yet)). I was expecting 6 at the most hatch rate, but this is my best clutch and 2nd attempt (first one was 1 of 14 from a different hatchery sadly). Thank you so much! Will update with final hatch results, but so far amazing 😍!

hatch rate very low. first batch of 12 were rot or empty, we got one that hatched but next day died. the seller very responsive and considerate offered a second batch at no cost. 2nd batch was much better, we got 3 healthy hatchings all on the same day, the others leaked liquid and smell rotten. upon inspection a few eggs had full ground chicks but with the belly not fully formed or sealed. I'm grateful that the seller gave us a second opportunity and happy with my 3 chicks, 2 black and one white.

One egg was broken, which isn't that big of a deal. I have ordered from here several times and have never gotten all brown eggs. A little disappointed in the lack of "mix" in the barnyard mix. But hopefully there will be some different breeds in them. Overall, happy. Might try somewhere else for the next batch. (Don't attack, I know you get what you get, I just have usually gotten at least one or two green or blue from here).