Has anybody had luck with shipped eggs wrapped in paper towels?

[Smokin Silkies]

I just received some eggs I bought (from ebay) and they were wrapped in a thin layer of paper towels only and put in a carton. One of the eggs weren't even wrapped. 2 of the eggs were cracked/broken but didn't get on the other eggs. They are also pretty dirty. I paid $12 for shipping and the actual shipping charge was $7 and change. You would have thought with the almost $5 they made off me for shipping, that they would've packaged them better. I did contact the seller, but no response yet. They stuck the carton in the box and put some wadded newspaper around the carton. Has anybody ever had shipped eggs like this and did they have a good hatch rate? Should I get fine sandpaper and get some of the dirt off? I don't know what to do...

 

[HenMaster]

I ordered 12 eggs and got 14 perfectly good, Cochin Frizzles. Out of the 14 I lost two to candling and the rest are looking good to hatch.

They all were rapped in paper towels in an egg carton and in news papers (I have photos if you want to see). I was not happy but they are doing much better than the 8 eggs wrapped in bubble rap and in styrofoam peanuts I have one left the other 7 were clear.

I personaly thing that there too many factors to deal with;
(1) Distance in the mail
(2) Tempature in transit
(3) Tempature at time of shipping
(4) How the eggs are wrapped
(5) How the eggs are handled (Unknown varraible, we hope gentally)

With all this said if some one mess up on the bator side the egg shipper is blamed.

To me it is just the luck of the draw and I like hatching the eggs and getting different varities of eggs.

Becouse I am the HenMaster (said in a loud deep voice). LOL

 

[Smokin Silkies]

I understand that there are all kinds of factors involved. In my opinion though, these eggs seemed like they had lots of room to be bounced around in the carton. With the thin pc of paper towel and the extra room around the egg and the carton. You know what I mean? I am certainly not an expert and have never shipped an egg in my whole life. I have had alot of eggs shipped to me though and this is the first for this. Most of the time, they are bubblewrapped and cushioned between peanuts, foam, shredded paper, or wadded newspaper. Even the ones I received in cartons, were snug in there....they didn't have any room to bounce around. To me, you can have all the peanuts or paper you want around the carton, but if the egg has room to bounce around in the carton, then its not protected very well right? Correct me if I'm wrong, this is just my opinion. Thanks!

 

[my1stchicks]

Quote:
If their real dirty I would at least try and get some dirt off but don't use sandpaper or you'll take that coating of protection off. Make sure to check the air sac to see if any are detached.
I'm sorry they were shipped like that but glad some made it! Hope they hatch!

 

[Smokin Silkies]

How should I remove the dirt? Somebody told me before just to use fine grit sandpaper and gently sand it. I never had to clean them before

I'm going to look for previous threads about detached air cells. I never did that before either

 

[HenMaster]

I use a paper towel (not trying to be funny.)

 

[chels23]

I have gotten eggs one time that were wrapped in paper towels. I ordered 12 and one was broken. Only 4 ended up hatching. When leaving feedback please don't leave them positve feedback unless they contact you and make it right.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

I have recieved a half dozen boxes of eggs like that. I have had mixed results.

I package mine like that except I wrap the egg carton in bubble wrap.

I have also recieved eggs in egg carton in saw dust. I don't really like that it is makes a mess

 

[my1stchicks]

Yep like henmaster said, just use a paper towel and wipe them off. They don't have to be perfect, just get the larger stuff off if you can.
The reason I mentioned the air sac is because since two were broke they seem to have been bounced a bit and if the air sac isn't attached they're harder to get to hatch.
Good Luck and keep us updated.

 

[WalkingWolf]

I always use bubble wrap at least 2 layers, then two layers of phone book or similar paper. I have never had good results with eggs shipped in egg cartons to me, no matter how much padding. From an engineering standpoint when eggs are shipped small end down if dropped the g forces are centered to the point. When eggs are shipped as they are laid horizontal there is more bearing surface and not the forcing effect of the small end of the egg. I use most times shredded paper, and a lot of it, for padding. I make sure the eggs are secured firmly in the paper, not loosely. This does increase the weight of the package. Usually my packages weigh between 2.5 to 5 pounds depending on type and quantity. But I get reports back of near perfect to perfect hatches, something I did not think possible on shipped eggs.

You should always ask the seller how the eggs are packed and shipped, do not take it for granted. When you buy eggs with cheap shipping you are likely to have poor hatches. I charge actual shipping plus $3 to cover bubble wrap and gas to the post office, and my charges with the extra packing are still even or less than most. Except on the west coast. Every once in a while I get a west coaster who complains of the shipping and I point out that with all do respect that a buyer should buy the eggs from a shipper as close to the buyer as possible. Only in cases where I can not find a seller do I buy from the west coast and then I use express shipping and demand quality packaging.

BTW I never clean my eggs, after all the chickens and ducks do not and manage great hatches just fine.