June Hatch A Long

[CluckNDoodle]

Oh, for cushion! It absorbs impact, so if you've decided you want to ship the eggs all individually wrapped yet loose (not in cartons), you put down a thick layer of sawdust, then arrange a layer of eggs, a layer of sawdust, etc. Make sure it's packed very tight when you close the top and then there's less movement and impact on the eggs. That's what I consider "old school packing." But he just put bubble wrap in the bottom, around the sides, and on top and wrapped all the eggs in newspaper and put them in.

Ooooh, ok! I read through a best practices article for shipping eggs somewhere and I really liked the one showing individually wrapping the eggs in bubble wrap like candy with the rubber bands on the ends. The box was then filled, bottom, between, and top with packing peanuts and put into a larger box that was also surrounded by bubble wrap. I'm going to try it eventually when I'm feeling brave and someone wants some eggs from my neck of the woods. lol
I would try the sawdust approach as well if I knew where I could readily get some sawdust without waiting for my husband to actually finish a project. lol

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I agree @CluckNDoodle id be the same way, but most people don’t give two hoots. I feel like if you don’t have fertile eggs by 4 days, you should st least be able to file insurance with the post office as a damaged shipment. Then no one is out money and they could replace them!

Shipping style is just a personal preference. I’ve had probably every style and I feel like it’s pretty random. I, personally, do NOT like foam. I’ve had maybe four breeders ship in foam, and there was only one that didn’t have a straight up broken egg.

When I opened my marans eggs I was devastated. They looked so haphazardly put it in the box. Every other shipment was so particularly placed, and the marans were every which way inside a double box. Upside down, sideways, literally shoved into the box.

That marans shipment was my HIGHEST hatch rate I’ve ever had. Afterwards I spoke to the breeder and she told me it’s the only way she has found to ensure the eggs cannot move st all in shipment. She said those little slips and teeny, jerky movements from most every other shipping style is what she finds kills the eggs.


@Trux IM DROOLING. I LOVE laced birds.... and used to have some Wyandotte’s but I do not prefer the personalities of every Wyandotte that’s been on my property.

Do you have a picture of this crazy packing method? lol, I'm suddenly very intrigued and may need to find a first victim to send a couple of different methods of packing to so I know which works better!

 

[jolenesdad]

Do you have a picture of this crazy packing method? lol, I'm suddenly very intrigued and may need to find a first victim to send a couple of different methods of packing to so I know which works better!

I was so alarmed when I opened it after seeing so “perfectly placed” eggs I just started opening the eggs and candling tbem.

It is interesting to note I had multiple damaged air cells in the marans shipment but like a 90% hatch.

My other favorite packing method for the Opal Legbar eggs had ZERO displaced air cells, but a 50% hatch. They were packed with rubber bands just as you described.

That marans breeder was super nice about questions, I’m going to email her today and ask if she has photos of what she does.

 

[Knighstar679]

Oh, for cushion! It absorbs impact, so if you've decided you want to ship the eggs all individually wrapped yet loose (not in cartons), you put down a thick layer of sawdust, then arrange a layer of eggs, a layer of sawdust, etc. Make sure it's packed very tight when you close the top and then there's less movement and impact on the eggs. That's what I consider "old school packing." But he just put bubble wrap in the bottom, around the sides, and on top and wrapped all the eggs in newspaper and put them in.

Best eggs I ever got shipped were wrapped in bubble wrap. Then packed in pine shavings around all of the eggs. The eggs arrived perfectly every time and even had really good air cells. I decided if I ever shipped eggs that would be how I would ship.

 

[Mosey2003]

Yeah, it doesn't have to be literally sawdust, fine pine shavings would work too.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

@Mosey2003 , @jolenesdad , @Knighstar679
Thank you for all the input! Soon...I'll be brave and try it soon. lol

 

[SueT]

This is day 20 for the broody Sebright on 4 Spitzhauben eggs. She is still in the flock of 7 hens. She is also in an elevated nest. I am going to move them down after hatching. I am wondering how/when this will work out, and about the one egg was started a day behind. I have a private pen prepared to protect them from the big hens, who might try to hurt the chicks. I am going to spend a lot of time in the coop until move is completed.

 

[Kris5902]

@jolenesdad @Kris5902 @CluckNDoodle and all others, my little mate didn’t make it perhaps I just didn’t act quick enough. I do have a feed store near by, I’ll pop in and get some supplies tomorrow just to be super prepared. I still have 7 beautiful peeps and six, 6 weeks old silkies that I bought as chicks. So I still have plenary to love! Thanks for all the tips, I’ll store in the the memory bank for future references

So sorry for your losssometimes nature knows best, and there’s no way to really know what else is wrong inside.

 

[Kris5902]

I’m personally terrified of shipping eggs. We drove about 8 hours each way to pick up the eggs for my first hatch, and cushioned them the best we could in the car for the drive back to avoid it. And oh, the suffering of my poor Husband when he drove too close to a pot hole or the road had any washboarding. “No! Drive slower... I don’t care what the speed limit is! You’re going to shake my eggs!” Was probably the nicest thing I said to him on the drive. I’m now seriously considering them... but would honestly rather go pick up somewhere anyway!

 

[Knighstar679]

I really wish I could go and pick up the eggs I want. My options we’re waiting until fall and hope I can get one set of birds after being on a waiting list all year or buy the eggs and get them shipped. For what ever reason a lot of people have heard of Black East Indies or Australian Spotted around me.