Helen's Hatchery
At West Country Emu, we provide a dedicated hatchery service for those who would like young chicks to imprint at home or may not have a suitable incubator for larger eggs, or any incubator at all.
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We utilise an automatic turning Masalles incubator and Fiem hatcher, specifically designed for ratite eggs, ensuring proper rotation for larger eggs. Our equipment is also adaptable for smaller eggs.
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With over 10 years of experience in successfully hatching emu and other poultry, we can assist you in obtaining chicks that are ready to be taken home and imprinted at an early stage. This service offers a cost-effective solution, eliminating the need for you to be hand-turning eggs.
How does it work?
Simply put, you purchase the eggs from me in advance to confirm your commitment. I will then select eggs from different pairs and trios, place them in the incubator, and do my utmost to hatch them for you. You only pay for the chicks that successfully hatch, and not for those that don’t. The final hatching payment for the chicks is due upon collection. Please note, that there is a minimum order of three eggs to ensure no chick hatches alone, as they thrive best with company.
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The chicks will need to be collected within three days of the last one hatching, as this is around the time they will begin eating. Please make sure you have some ratite crumb ready for their arrival. Ratite crumb can be ordered from Charnwoods Milling on 01728 622300. I will also provide a care sheet with guidance on how to look after the chicks once they are home.
Please contact me before ordering if you have any questions, or need any information on emu chicks or their future care. Care advice can also be found on our website emu.services
Costs For Emu
Eggs: £20 each
Hatching: £50 per egg
Late collection from 3 days after all eggs have hatched: £5 per chick per day.
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Costs For Peacocks
Coming soon.
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Our Hatchery Service For Your Own Eggs or Other Birds
Available after March each year, once the emu season has ended.
If you don’t have an incubator or the time to hatch eggs yourself, feel free to contact us to discuss hatching other birds for you. With our experience and specialised equipment, we are well-equipped to hatch all types of poultry and ratites and have smaller incubators if needed.
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Collection & Delivery
Collection is from West Dorset. Local delivery can be arranged at cost. Delivery further afield can be arranged via Dorset Smallholding at cost. Please contact me with your postcode for a price.
Terms and conditions
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The minimum order for our hatchery service is three eggs, ensuring you won’t be left with a lone chick, as they do not thrive well on their own. Please note, I no longer keep spare chicks, as I now hatch to order to avoid having unclaimed chicks at the end of the season.
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Eggs are to be paid for in advance, with the remaining hatchery fee due upon collection of the chicks.
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A late collection fee will apply for each day past the agreed collection time, per chick. The collection period begins at midnight after the last chick has hatched.
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Local delivery can be arranged directly with me and must be organised in advance of placing your order. For deliveries further afield, I work with Dorset Smallholding to facilitate this, so please contact me prior to ordering to discuss delivery or collection options.
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The chicks will not be DNA sexed, but I will provide the egg membranes along with details of where to send them for DNA sexing. Your chicks will be colour-coded with a leg band so you know which membrane applies to which chick
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Any unhatched eggs are non-refundable but it is in both our interest for them to hatch, so I will do my utmost.
Contact
If you would like to discuss the hatchery service or anything regarding this website or care of emu, eggs and chicks please contact me.
01308 867078