I'm very upset that my post office didn't call me to tell me that my hatching egg were here. I call them this morning and they were going to call me back and never did. I got home and there was a post card in my mailbox, telling me they were here. Now the eggs are going to be sitting in the post office all weekend long. Does any body know how long the eggs will last without being in a incubator?
Generally sellers want your phone number so they can put a note on the shipping box to say -"Call upon arrival" with your name and phone no. They don't always do it, and the PO doesn't always pay attention. I don't know what the weather is like in your area but I would worry more that the chicks have had nothing to eat or drink, Can you get in touch with the seller and find out if he enclosed anything for them to eat. Sometimes sellers put gro gel in the container or fruit so the chicks get some nourishment and fluids.
Were they shipped overnite express or regular priority mail? Did they mark the box on all sides with "LIVE CHICKS" ? If there is a next time you have to take part also - call your PO a day or two in advance to say you are expecting live chicks. Give them your phone number and ask to please call immediately upon arrival and YOU WILL COME AND PICK THEM UP- asap. Call then again the day you expect arrival and repeat the same info. Be polite and friendly and you'll get a better response
OOOPS I'm sorry, I misread your post, I didn't realize it was hatching eggs. Hatching eggs have NOT been incubated before shipping, they are merely believed to be fertile..The incubation period does not start until you put eggs under a broody hen or set them in your incubator. If your PO is around average room temp or slightly less - the eggs will be fine assuming they weren't bounced or thrown around during their travels.
OPen the box in front of the postal employee so he is a witness to the condition the eggs were in. When you get the eggs home allow them to rest a day on your kitchen counter- then put them in your already warmed up incubator.
Generally sellers want your phone number so they can put a note on the shipping box to say -"Call upon arrival" with your name and phone no. They don't always do it, and the PO doesn't always pay attention. I don't know what the weather is like in your area but I would worry more that the chicks have had nothing to eat or drink, Can you get in touch with the seller and find out if he enclosed anything for them to eat. Sometimes sellers put gro gel in the container or fruit so the chicks get some nourishment and fluids. Were they shipped overnite express or regular priority mail? Did they mark the box on all sides with "LIVE CHICKS" ? If there is a next time you have to take part also - call your PO a day or two in advance to say you are expecting live chicks. Give them your phone number and ask to please call immediately upon arrival and YOU WILL COME AND PICK THEM UP- asap. Call then again the day you expect arrival and repeat the same info. Be polite and friendly and you'll get a better response OOOPS I'm sorry, I misread your post, I didn't realize it was hatching eggs. Hatching eggs have NOT been incubated before shipping, they are merely believed to be fertile..The incubation period does not start until you put eggs under a broody hen or set them in your incubator. If your PO is around average room temp or slightly less - the eggs will be fine assuming they weren't bounced or thrown around during their travels. OPen the box in front of the postal employee so he is a witness to the condition the eggs were in. When you get the eggs home allow them to rest a day on your kitchen counter- then put them in your already warmed up incubator.
Thank you so much! I was so worried! I knew I wasn't going to be home and called the posted office to see if they were there. They told me no and they would check and get back to me and they didn't. My husband was going to pick them up for me. When I looked at my watch and realized what time it was the post office was closed. I was vey upset. You justed maked my day, Thanks again.
Welcome to BYC. Good luck with the incubation. Shipped eggs are always sort of a crap shoot, but the week end stay at the post office should not decrease the chances of hatchability.
Welcome to BYC. Good luck with the incubation. Shipped eggs are always sort of a crap shoot, but the week end stay at the post office should not decrease the chances of hatchability.
I would like everyone to know. Went to the post office and pick up my eggs. They look good, no cracks on them. I'm still not sure why they didn't call me back on Sat. The AC was on in the post office all weekend. I'm crossing my fingers that they hatch. If anybody have tips on hatching them I would appreciate. I'll never done this before. Thanks for all your help
