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

[Ewe Mama2]

Hi JenLynn4. I just candled the eggs you sent last week (I received on Monday and put them in the incubator on Tuesday). Out of the 14 eggs you sent, only 4 developed, the rest were clear. As someone who is used to having 95-100% hatch rates with shipped eggs, I'd have to agree that something is not quite right. Your package arrived in perfect condition and the eggs looked beautiful.

Just when I was starting to get excited over those 4 little developing eggs, we had a three hour power outage!

Mind you, we've never lost power in the 16 months we've lived here.

So now I have to candle again and see if anybody made it.

I'm supposed to be receiving another shipment of eggs soon, so I'll be saying lots of prayers for those eggs!

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

The last batch I got was 14 silkie eggs from WA to NY. 9 grew, 8 made it to the hatcher, and 6 beautiful babies hatched out. The ones that didnt end up growing, I think most of those had broken air sacs. Anyway, Im thrilled I got 6, considering they came all the way from WA.

 

[highline]

Just a thought,,,

Maybe if the US Postmaster General were to be bombarded with emails and letters from all BYC'ers that have had bad experiences, maybe, just maybe something would be done. Even just a simple memo being sent down the chain about rough handling of packages would be something.

Standard "official" USPS box stickers might be of some help. That would standardize egg shipping and be cause for standardized handling methods. That chartreuse delivery confirmation sticker sure stands out. Something similar for "hatching eggs" or "live embryos" would be nice.

If anyone's interested, I found contact info for US Postmaster General John E Potter on WikiAnswers.com

Snail Mail:

The Honorable John E. Potter
Postmaster General
U.S. Postal Service
475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20260-0010

email: [email protected]

Both forms of contact should be considered. Email is great but keep in mind he is the "Postmaster General" snail mail is his business.

To be more effective all contact should be made during the same time period. More than likely the PMG has assistants who screen his emails and letters. An assistant will easily "file 9" complaint letters if they come in slowly. BUT if 20, 30 or even 100 or more come in the same day or during the same time period, no assistant will take responsibility for dumping that many complaints so they should find their way to Mr. Potters desk.

When complaining remember to be a nice complainer. No swear words, no ALL CAPS etc. Those letters are usually not taken seriously and are dumped. Definitely no "I'm gonna drop you and ship UPS" letters either. Just politely state your case, get right to the point, tell him your egg shipping history and let him know that damaged eggs are not the norm (till this year at least). And you know what they say, "pictures are worth a thousand words" so of course send pics when available for support.

I know there's got to be some pretty good wordsmiths here on BYC, so maybe if there's interest in this, 2 or 3 sample letters would help anyone not knowing exactly what to say or how to say it.


Whatchyall thank?

 

[jenlynn4]

I think that is a great idea, but what if it just makes them mad and then they purposly start shakeing or x raying every package that says eggs! You never know what can happen! Its just been a tough spring. I currently have about 35 chicks at various ages running around because I had to keep checking fertility by incubateing eggs all year to be sure it wasnt the eggs them selves. I almost always got 100 % fertility here every time I set a batch. I just dont get it. I thik I am going to take a break from selling eggs and just hatch them myself and sell chicks instead and see how that goes! JEN

 

[klf73]

sending a letter may just put a restriction on shipping eggs

if they dont' let you do it, then no one can complain....

 

[KinderKorner]

I've also had bad results.

I pack well. Never had any broken eggs until this year. I've had a few now.

Which saddens me.

Many of the boxes I sent were looked to be kicked in, squished, stomped on something.

Some people have reported back good results. With only 4 not growing from 30. Or a 10/12 hatch rate.

But then there is another who got no chicks what so ever.

Myself I am scared to complain about it. I agree that if we say something they may just not let us ship at all. Which I would not like. So I will just keep my mouth shut and keep trying.

 

[cluckcluckcharlie]

Is the USPS the only way eggs can be sent? Mine are 4 days late, IF I get them Monday it will be 7 days since they were shipped. I paid for 3 day priority shipping~!~

To be honest with you, if other carriers can be chosen, I think we ought to be complaining to the company that uses USPS instead of choosing a more reliable carrier. I looked so forward to incubating my very first batch of eggs, and now with them being 7 days, I kinda just feel like throwing my hands up and quitting already.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

cluckcluck--did the seller provide you with a tracking number, so that at least you'd know where the package is??

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

This is a tad off the subject, but it does regard shipment of eggs...

Has anyone given any thought to/researched the impact wrapping eggs tightly in bubble wrap has on them?? I mean, eggshells are permeable, so that the exchange of O2, Co2 can occur....if the egg is wrapped tightly in plastic (which does not breathe), might we be suffocating and therefore killing the fertilized egg??

 

[cluckcluckcharlie]

Yes BCSilkies, I got the email Wendsday from where I ordered them, ( just email them to be sure the number was correct.)... Best friends mom works at post office... she tried tracking it for me, But it came up with NOTHING! She waiting for them to because shes the substitute this week for the normal carrier. Said she'd be extra careful. Matter afact shes the one that call me this morning worried cause they weren't here yet. haha Such a sweetheart~! Roomie get cigs from New York... tracking number never helped her either till after they're delivered. Hummph.