You Can Hatch Chickens From Trader Joe’s Eggs, But Should You?

Forbes - Mar 6th, 2025
Open on Forbes

With egg prices soaring, consumers are turning to their backyards to solve the egg shortage by hatching their own chickens from supermarket eggs. A viral trend on TikTok, popularized by user Kate of The California Home, shows people how to hatch chicks from fertile Trader Joe's eggs using an incubator. While this method has seen some success, it comes with a degree of uncertainty and the need for careful planning, as not all eggs are fertile. Additionally, raising chickens requires a commitment to their care, housing, and the potential challenges of hatchlings, such as managing roosters.

This trend underscores a growing interest in self-sufficiency amid rising food prices and highlights the role of social media in spreading unconventional solutions. However, experts and experienced chicken owners like Rhonda Newby-Torres and Cori Clow advise potential chicken owners to be prepared for the responsibilities involved, such as providing proper equipment, dealing with legal restrictions on roosters, and considering alternative sources like local breeders. The phenomenon also reflects broader themes of sustainability and community-driven innovation in response to market pressures.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging exploration of the trend of hatching chickens from Trader Joe's eggs, offering a creative solution to rising egg prices. It effectively captures reader interest through personal anecdotes and connections to social media trends. However, its reliance on anecdotal evidence and the absence of detailed expert opinions or scientific data limit its accuracy and impact.

While the article presents a generally positive view of the practice, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including expert insights and addressing potential challenges in greater detail. The clarity and readability are strong, with a straightforward writing style that makes the topic accessible to a general audience.

Overall, the article succeeds in raising awareness and sparking interest in backyard chicken farming but could enhance its reliability and impact by incorporating more comprehensive evidence and diverse perspectives. Its engagement with current economic issues and social media trends makes it relevant and appealing to a wide audience.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article provides a generally accurate account of the process of hatching chickens from Trader Joe's eggs, supported by anecdotal evidence and references to USDA statements. The claim that egg prices are skyrocketing aligns with current economic trends, though specific data is not provided in the article. The process described for hatching eggs is consistent with known practices, but the article could benefit from more precise data on success rates and potential challenges.

The article accurately notes that only fertile eggs can hatch, which is a critical detail for readers considering this endeavor. However, it lacks detailed verification of the success rates of hatching Trader Joe's eggs specifically, relying on anecdotal reports from individuals like Kate of The California Home and Cori Clow. The mention of USDA findings about the lack of nutritional differences between fertilized and unfertilized eggs is a strong point, adding credibility to the article.

There are areas where the article could improve its accuracy by providing more data or expert opinions, such as the precise conditions needed for successful incubation and the potential costs involved in raising chickens. Overall, the article presents accurate information but could enhance its reliability with additional details and expert input.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of individuals who have successfully hatched chickens from Trader Joe's eggs, which may create an impression of ease and feasibility. While it mentions some challenges, such as the need for specific equipment and the unpredictability of chick sex, it could benefit from a more balanced view by including perspectives from experts in poultry farming or those who have experienced failures in this endeavor.

The article does briefly touch on the potential downsides of raising chickens, such as the long-term commitment and local regulations regarding roosters. However, these aspects could be expanded to provide a more comprehensive view of the challenges involved. The inclusion of quotes from individuals like Rhonda Newby-Torres and Cori Clow adds personal insights but does not fully counterbalance the overall positive tone of the narrative.

By incorporating a wider range of perspectives, including those who may have faced difficulties or chosen not to pursue hatching due to the associated challenges, the article could achieve greater balance. This would help readers make more informed decisions by understanding both the potential benefits and drawbacks.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to follow, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the process of hatching chickens from Trader Joe's eggs. The use of personal anecdotes and quotes adds a relatable and engaging element to the narrative, making the topic accessible to a broad audience.

The language is straightforward and free of jargon, which aids comprehension. However, the article could improve its clarity by providing more detailed explanations of certain aspects, such as the specific conditions required for successful incubation and the potential challenges of raising chickens.

Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone and presents information in a way that is easy to understand. By offering more detailed explanations and addressing potential ambiguities, it could enhance its clarity and provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

5
Source quality

The article relies heavily on anecdotal evidence from individuals who have attempted to hatch chickens from Trader Joe's eggs, such as TikTok users and Reddit contributors. While these sources provide interesting personal stories, they lack the authority and reliability of expert opinions or scientific studies.

The inclusion of a USDA statement about the nutritional content of fertilized versus unfertilized eggs adds a layer of credibility, as the USDA is a reputable source. However, the article would benefit from additional authoritative sources, such as poultry experts or agricultural scientists, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Overall, the article's source quality is moderate, as it combines personal anecdotes with some authoritative information. To improve, it could incorporate more expert insights and data to support its claims, thereby enhancing its credibility and reliability.

6
Transparency

The article provides a reasonable level of transparency by explaining the process of hatching chickens from Trader Joe's eggs and acknowledging the need for specific conditions, such as fertile eggs and proper incubation. It also mentions the potential long-term commitment and costs associated with raising chickens, offering some context for readers.

However, the article could improve its transparency by providing more detailed information about the methodology and conditions required for successful hatching. For example, it could include specifics about the incubation process, such as temperature and humidity requirements, to help readers understand the complexities involved.

Additionally, the article could be more transparent about the limitations of the anecdotal evidence presented, clarifying that these are individual experiences that may not be representative of typical outcomes. By providing more context and detail, the article could offer a clearer and more comprehensive picture of the topic.

Sources

  1. https://www.tastingtable.com/1790339/trader-joes-eggs-hatch-chicks-tiktok/
  2. https://www.foodrepublic.com/1355493/tiktok-hatching-trader-joes-fertile-chicken-eggs/
  3. https://people.com/trader-joes-customer-buys-fertilized-eggs-hatches-baby-chicks-11679842
  4. https://www.delish.com/food-news/a63842548/what-are-fertile-eggs-trader-joes/
  5. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hatching-fertile-eggs-from-trader-joes.1564972/