One of the most common questions new poultry farmers ask is:
“Where do I get eggs for incubation?”
Closely followed by:
“Why can’t I find broiler eggs?”
“Do only broilers bring money?”
“Can I hatch noiler, layer, or local bird eggs?”
PURPOSE
This article answers all those questions clearly and honestly, based on the realities of poultry farming in Nigeria, not theory.
These eggs require precise conditions of temperature, humidity, ventilation, and egg turning to develop properly.
Hastec Incubation Technology
What Is an Egg (From an Incubation Perspective)?
An egg, in simple terms, is a biological package designed to produce a chick only if it is fertile. Fertile eggs are essential for successful hatching, and understanding the process of managing fertile eggs is crucial for poultry farmers.
There are two broad categories of eggs:
- Table Eggs (Infertile Eggs)
- Fertile Eggs (Hatchable Eggs)
Proper management of fertile eggs can significantly impact hatch rates and the overall success of poultry farming.
Understanding the distinction between fertile and infertile eggs is crucial for poultry farmers.
Only fertile eggs can hatch in an incubator.
What Are Fertile Eggs?
A fertile egg is an egg laid by a hen that has been properly mated with a healthy male bird.
For an egg to be fertile:
There must be male birds (cocks/toms/ganders) in the flock
The male-to-female ratio must be correct
Birds must be healthy and well-managed
Eggs must be collected and stored properly
Without these, an egg may look normal but will never hatch.
Never buy hatchable egg from local market
Hastec Incubation Technology
Where Do Fertile Eggs Come From in Nigeria?
Fertile eggs come from breeding flocks, not from normal commercial poultry farms.
This is where many beginners get confused.
Let’s break it down bird by bird.
Broiler Eggs: The Big Truth Everyone Must Know
Commercial Broilers vs Breeder Broilers
Commercial broilers (the ones sold for meat):
Are not meant to lay eggs for hatching
Are slaughtered at 5–8 weeks
Even if they lay eggs, fertility is unreliable
Broiler breeder birds:
Are a special parent stock
Raised specifically to produce fertile broiler eggs
Require strict feeding, lighting, and health management
Are expensive and difficult to manageWhy Big Farms Don’t Sell Broiler Eggs
Large hatcheries:
Keep broiler breeder eggs for their own hatcheries
Have contracts with integrated poultry companies
Rarely sell fertile eggs to the open market
That is why broiler eggs are hard to find in Nigeria.
How Can an Individual Get Broiler Eggs?
There are only two realistic ways:
- Buy broiler breeder birds and produce eggs yourself
- Buy fertile eggs from small breeder farms (rare but possible)
This requires:
Patience
Capital
Strict management
Long-term planning
Broiler breeding is not for quick profit, but the reward is big when done correctly.
Noiler Eggs: A Strong Alternative
Noilers are dual-purpose birds (meat + eggs).
Why Noilers Are Popular in Nigeria
Strong and hardy
Adapt well to local conditions
Eggs are fertile and hatch very well
Market demand is high
Sourcing Noiler Eggs
Buy noiler parent birds
Maintain correct male-to-female ratio
Collect and incubate eggs
Noilers are easier to manage than broiler breeders and still very profitable.
Layer Eggs: Not Just for Eating
Many people think layers are only for table eggs, they also have breeder lıne that produce commercial layers but not from the layers to avoid inbreeding.
Layer Fertile Eggs
Layer eggs are hatchable if males are present(breeders only)
They produce pullets and cockerels
Suitable for:
Egg production businesses
Replacement stock
Sale to other farmers
Layer breeding requires:
Good feeding
Disease control
Long-term commitment
The reward is steady and predictable income.
Guinea Fowl Eggs
Guinea fowl eggs are:
Highly fertile
Very profitable
In high demand, especially in Northern Nigeria
Challenges:
Birds are noisy
Egg collection can be difficult
They require patience
Reward:
Strong market
High chick survival
Premium pricingTurkey Eggs
Turkey eggs are:
Large
Valuable
Slower to hatch
Require good incubation control
Challenges:
Turkeys are sensitive
Disease management is critical
Reward:
High selling price
Less competition in the marketGeese and Other Birds
Geese, ducks, and other local birds:
Produce hatchable eggs
Are seasonal layers
Require specific incubation settings
They are best suited for:
Farmers with patience
Niche markets
Rural or semi-commercial setups
Management: The Hidden Hard Part
No matter the bird type, fertile egg production requires:
Proper male-to-female ratio
Balanced feeding
Clean housing
Disease prevention
Correct egg collection and storage
This is where many people fail.
Poultry breeding is not easy. It requires:
Daily attention
Financial discipline
Learning from mistakes
Perseverance
The Ultimate Reward of Doing It Right
When done correctly:
You control your egg supply
You reduce dependence on others
You build a sustainable poultry system
You earn consistently over time
There is no shortcut — only systems.Important Advice: Don’t Be a Jack of All Trades
One common mistake is trying to do everything at once:
Broilers
Layers
Noilers
Turkeys
Guinea fowl
This often leads to failure.
Stand in one place and grow.
Master one bird type:
Understand it
Build systems
Then expand gradually
How HASTEC Fits Into All This
No matter the bird:
Broiler breeders
Noilers
Layers
Guinea fowl
Turkey
Geese
HASTEC incubators are designed to:
Hatch eggs reliably
Handle Nigeria’s power challenges
Support both small and large-scale farmers
Grow with your poultry journey
Egg sourcing + good management + reliable incubation
= successful hatchery business
Final Thoughts
Fertile eggs are the foundation of poultry success.
Understanding:
Where to get them
Which birds suit you
The challenges involved
The long-term rewards
will save you years of mistakes and losses.
This knowledge, combined with the right incubator and perseverance, is what separates successful poultry farmers from those who quit.
DISCLAIMER
Hastec is not responsible for poor hatch results caused by:
• Poor egg quality
• Power failure
• Failure to follow this SOP
So great and educative. You could help in more training manual for hatchery
Expand your base in the country or use agents.
I volunteer to be a marketer for you in terms of advertising down here in Enugu
But I need training on the hatchery process and egg procurement
I wish you success and goodluck
Thank you so much for the well wishes. You can contact us on the subject matter you raised. And you need to get one to really understand the hatchery management system.