Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[gamebirdsonly]

I had 60 quail eggs get lost in mail for 13 days when I got the package there was 14 broke. I put them in the incubator and I still had 34 out 46 eggs hatch. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[KYTinpusher]

Here is my PO horror story.
On 10 September I had eggs shipped from WV coming to Iowa. They left WV and went to PA on the 11 then Va the 12-13. They made it to Des Moines on the 14. You would think I'd have them on the 15, right? WRONG! They were next scanned in Maryland on the 18. They then went to another place in MD, then back to Des Moines. They were finally delivered on the 22.
My local PO did everything in their power to find the eggs. I called the 800 number and told them my local PO did everything thet could do and asked what they could do (after talking to the ( Insert adult language here) computer asking "did you say?". . They told me the local PO has more options than they did. I told them NOT to forward my complaint on to my local PO because those ladies are great. What did they do? They sent my complaint to my local PO stating I said they didn't deliver my package. I need to figure out how to contact somebody higher up at the PO and let them know what I think.

Well you've got mine beat! I sent eggs to Arkansas (note: ONE state to the west). They went from here to MD, to NC, spent a couple of days there, then went to SC, then to TN and finally to Arkansas. I think our PO needs to invest in geography lessons for all it's employees.

On the other hand, I love my local post office. They are very kind and helpful. I had some duck eggs sent from Texas. She mailed then on Monday and I wasn't expecting them until at least Wed., so I didn't go to the PO on my way home like usual. About 10:30am on Tues (yes, the next day! and only Priority mail), my PO called and said they got a call from a neighboring town PO. A box addressed to me and marked "Live Embryos...Hatching Eggs" had been delivered there by mistake. She said to give her until after lunch that she would drive over there and bring them back to our PO! Out of 12 eggs, 11 of them hatched!

 

[9gerianMile]

I don't think you'll ever get perfect hatch rates from shipped eggs. But I imagine it would be better.

I don't expect a perfect hatch from shipped eggs, but more than 0 hatching would be great.

 

[madamwlf]

I'm not sure UPS or Fedex would be any better. I've heard horror stories of boxes being thrown around even when they are marked Fragile.

 

[coffeekittie]

I'm not sure UPS or Fedex would be any better. I've heard horror stories of boxes being thrown around even when they are marked Fragile.

I worked for several years at a huge sorting facility for UPS. My work was directly involved in transferring packages from incomaing trucks to the small delivery trucks. Most, but not all employees at all levels were quite careful with packages, especially ones marked fragile. At that time they allowed animals to be shipped. A very few were awful. These guys would throw anything around, taking little to no care even with specially marked boxes. Overall though, I would rather ship by a company like FedEx or UPS then the PO. More recourse to smashed packages, employees happier (a little), and overall more care and consideration for people's belongings.

 

[coffeekittie]

Hey, I forgot to say that I really like the way crazychickenlady packs her eggs. I haven't seen any others like it. They are in bubble wrap, then surrounded by packing peanuts and shredded paper, really firmly. The box was squished and it didn't seem to affect the eggs at all, as they were safely floating and could sort of move out of the way, not be held in place by an egg carton and get smashed.

Is that why you do it that way?

 

[crazypetlady]

Hey, I forgot to say that I really like the way crazychickenlady packs her eggs.  I haven't seen any others like it.  They are in bubble wrap, then surrounded by packing peanuts and shredded paper, really firmly.  The box was squished and it didn't seem to affect the eggs at all, as they were safely floating and could sort of move out of the way, not be held in place by an egg carton and get smashed. 

Is that why you do it that way?

 

Yes, I am fortunate that most of my eggs are Serama or bantam sized. I think if I did all LF it wouldn't work as well all the time. When I don't have shredded paper I use a full sheet of bubble wrap for each egg. Someday hopefully I will be able to afford the foam mailers.

 

[mystdogs]

Oh please USPS do not hurt my precious tolbunt eggs from madamwlf, my special serama eggs from crazypetlady, or my two young cockerels from Kitty Branch Seramas this week.

Really, honestly, positively this is my last hatch until next year.

I'm gonna be so busy with chicks now

20 silkies hatching this week, 6+ tolbunts and 6+ serama going in the incubator...I know I can fit some more eggs in there...

 

[coffeekittie]

What about using the foam egg shipping forms, charging a sum of money for them, and then refunding that surcharge if/when the buyee returns them? I don't know how much it would cost to do so, but probably not much....this would be like exchanging used glass containers of milk for new ones, or empty propane tanks, etc.

Just a thought....

 

[BHep]

Just my 2 cents..................those foam egg shipping forms STINK (and that is the nicest thing I can say about them) Everytime I get eggs shipped in them it is a fail !!! cracked...shook up.

The best packing that I have found is : each egg wrapped in bubble wrap and packed tightly in paper...shredded or crumbled, and did I mention packed tightly. Not so tight that the eggs are crushed, just so they don't move around. My PO recommends writing " Fragile...eggs" on the TOP of the box....that is where the workers look. AGAIN.....Just my 2 cents.

And keep in mind....MILLIONS of packages are moved by USPS, not every shipment is handled carefully. It does help to be nice to the people at your local PO...TRUST ME on that !!!