Egg Incubation & Livestock Care
Incubators Rentals and Fertile Eggs
Febuary 11, 2026
Dear Friends,
While we love being able to offer our annual egg incubation program and share the excitement with our community, due to the continued spread of avian influenza in the tri-state area and challenges of raising a small flock for fertile eggs, we have decided to pause the program for the 2026 season.
We hope to bring the incubation program back in Spring 2027.
We truly appreciate your understanding and your continued support of our farm, and we look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
Warm Regards,
The Goffle Road Poultry Farm Team
Incubation Q&A:
Does Goffle Poultry take back baby chickens or ducks?
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations prevent us from taking back poultry that was not obtained from our farm.
The birds you hatch are yours to keep and care for how you please. We understand that not everyone wishes to keep the birds they hatch, and some towns make it difficult for those who want to raise them. If you received the eggs from us, we can take them back and find them a new home provided they are returned within 2 months after being hatched.
What breed of chicken eggs do you offer?
Our fertile chicken eggs are Sex-link Cross breed, which are a mixed breed of Rhode Island Reds and White Leghorns.
What is included in a care package?
A care package includes a bag of feed that supplies enough food for 6 chicks/ducks for roughly 2 weeks, a small bag of bedding, an automatic watering dish and bottle for chicks/ducks to drink out of, a disposable food bowl, and a large cardboard brooding box that should last 2 weeks before it should be discarded.
Will I need a special red-light heating bulb to keep my chicks/ducks warm once they hatch?
Depends. If you are keeping the chicks/ducks indoors after hatching, a standard 60, 75, or 100-watt incandescent light bulb should be enough to keep the newborns warm. Depending on the wattage of the bulb, the temperature of the building, and the age of the chicks, you may need to increase or decrease the distance of the light to the chicks/ducks. Please note that an LED or fluorescent energy saving bulb will not produce the heat necessary for newborn poultry to keep warm.
How can I tell if the chicken/duck is a male or female before they hatch?
We are unable to sex chicks/ducks until they are at least 2 months old, when they start developing sex-specific features (combs, beaks, etc.). There are stories and videos of people holding a chicken upside down claiming they are able to sex it based on how it reacts. These methods are not accurate at determining the sex of a bird before maturation.
What is the minimum number of fertile eggs I can order?
The minimum number of fertile eggs you can order is 1 egg. However, we recommend incubating at least 6 chicken eggs at a time, as not every egg is guaranteed to hatch.
Can I incubate duck and chicken eggs at the same time?
Yes, but duck eggs should be started exactly 7 days prior to the chicken eggs so they both hatch around the same time.
How do I order a an incubator rental? Do you deliver?
What rental program do you recommend if I am new to incubation.
We recommend Rental Program A, as it comes with everything needed for hatching and care of newborn livestock, including a incubator care package, heat lamp, and 12 fertile eggs.
Can I pay for a rental with a purchase order?
We understand that many schools and organizations require purchase orders to make purchases on their behalf. We will be happy to produce a quote that can be submitted for a purchase order within your organization. However, a check or payment MUST be provided at the time of pickup.
If I am paying for a rental with a check or cash, do you still need a credit card on file.
Yes. We will ask whomever is picking up to provide a valid credit card as part of the rental agreement. We will do a pre-authorization to validate the card, but we will not make any charges to the card unless the rental is late or missing, and we cannot get in contact with you.
Can I rent baby chicks?
No. Only incubator equipment is available for rental?
Livestock Q&A:
How should younger children handle baby livestock?
Children should always be supervised when handling livestock. Sometimes, children have a tendency to squeeze too hard when handling baby livestock, which can hurt the livestock. Make sure kids never touch their face and mouth immediately after handling livestock. When finished, children should be assisted in washing their hands in warm, soapy water for 10-15 seconds to ensure that any germs on their hands and fingers are removed.
If I hatched my own chickens, can I return the males and keep the females for egg laying?
Depends. If the eggs were purchased from our farm, you may return any birds you do not wish to keep as long as it is within 2 months since hatching.
Do I need a male chicken for a female chicken to lay eggs?
No. A male is only necessary to produce fertile eggs. A female will produce eggs with or without a male present.
Are there any regulations regarding owning chickens in my backyard?
Maybe. Some towns do not allow you to own roosters, while some prevent you from owning chickens altogether. We recommend you check with your local ordinances before deciding to raise birds at your home.
Do you sell coops for fully grown chickens and ducks?
No. We do not sell coops for fully grown birds. We recommend looking at some online vendors like TractorSupply.com, AmishMike.com, or even Walmart.
Is there anything I need to bring with me before purchasing livestock?
We may require a valid ID of a person over 18 before purchasing.