Anyone else having a problem with shipping eggs this year???

[pkw]

I have some shipped eggs in the incubator right now that has really huge air cells. I don't know if they will make it or not. I hope so. I have some lavender orp eggs in there and some Delawares eggs (both shipped eggs) that has huge air cells. The Delawares doesn't have as huge of air cells as the lavender orp eggs have. All the eggs arrived unbroken but the orp egg box was really beaten up with 2 sides completely smashed in.

 

[asher]

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I agree completely, as I have said often and been argued with. Hey, what do I know, it's just my job!

That box IS in bad shape. I'm sorry! :-( It may not necessarily be the carriers doing this, though. So many people handle the packages and the people that truck them are contract drivers.

 

[ChooksChick]

I would never write off eggs with broken air cells, because I've hatched many of them- it's always surprising, but it can happen!

I have had over 30 eggs from a breeder in Washington state and something horrible is going on between our POs, because this last box was mashed and had 4 crushed eggs- I've only hatched 1 bird in 30 eggs, but am determined to get more of this very unique bird!

I will continue to ship, but I write 'Live Embryos' 'Fragile' and 'Protect From Temps' on mine. I pack mine so tight with crumpled newsprint that the box bulges- that keeps shifting out. Hatch rates from my eggs are very good, but also involve excellent nutrition in the hens- and you can't discount how that will make the eggs stronger internally.

I think some routes are far worse than others: eggs from the NW seem to be handled more poorly, as do from certain areas of the midwest. I've had eggs arrive consistently mashed from one PO in Oklahoma, another in Pennsylvania- and yet most other eggs arrive fine!

 

[Elite Silkies]

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I have a couple that have really large air cells also. They are doing good for now, but who knows. I set the ones with detached air cells, but they didn't develop.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
I agree completely, as I have said often and been argued with. Hey, what do I know, it's just my job!

That box IS in bad shape. I'm sorry! :-( It may not necessarily be the carriers doing this, though. So many people handle the packages and the people that truck them are contract drivers.

I didn't realize that they use contract drivers. I thought about taking the pic to my PO and see if they will refund the shipping, but I doubt it.

 

[valreegrl]

I had two shipments of eggs this year from another forum member. Both were packed VERY well and the box was not crushed in the least.

My first batch....none developed. I did not candle them before putting in the incubator so cannot say what the air cells looked like. But at day 7
not a one.

My second batch....because she is awesome and sent me more for just shipping costs......arrived the same way. VERY well packed and the box was in great shape.
BUT, this time I candled before setting. Out of 22, 3 had a completely detached air cell and 2 partial. After canceling at day 7, the 3 were a no go and the other 2 were iffy.
In my opinion, that was an awesome shipment!

My findings through this process are that the post office doesn't pay any attention to the packages they are handling. On both boxes it was clearly written on all sides to call me when they arrived. I would pick them up. Had my cell in big numbers. But they delivered anyway.

Second shipment, I called the PO and they assured me they would call when they arrived. Guess what? They delivered them to my house again!!!

More reason to get this Chicken Train moving

 

[marbec06]

This is my first year purchasing fertile eggs. So far my results have been very disappointing. All were packaged well and air cells were developed. One shipper didnt mark : DO NOT XRAY, and none developed. I did get some guinea eggs in from instate but they arent ready to be candled. Argh it is so upsetting, for the price that is paid and the time and effort of hatching. Im glad (ok not glad) that im not the only one that have had the same problem this year.

 

[asher]

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I've never marked mine do not x-ray and had lots that arrived and hatched plenty.

 

[chickenzoo]

It seems like I'm having more trouble this year... both shipped and received. Out of 8 Cuckoo Silkies I only got 3 to hatch... : ( and some of my eggs I've shipped seem to have gotten harder to hatch....

 

[jenlynn4]

The ones that I have sent, the boxes arrive in pristine condition....BUT the eggs are not viable. There not broken or cracked (usually) but the air cells are broken. I have set eggs of my own at least every week and fertility is running between 95 and 100 percent here at home so I know that is not the issue. I think its the banging around and vibration from the conveyers, but you would think that they would have gone on the same machines for the last years.....why then just this year it is much much worse????? MAKES ME WONDER!!!!