Keeping eggs cool during shipping?? Need Tips

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I have gotten a couple shipments of eggs through the mail this last week and they were hotter than the ones in my bator when I opened the box. I went ahead and stuck them in the bator and none have developed...at all. I know the heat ruined them.

I had already pre-ordered some eggs that are due to be shipped this Wednesday. Is there anything to do to try and keep them cool in the box while on their way here? It is in the 100s here and not letting up.

I am thinking about going ahead and getting overnight mail too. That would at least cut down on a day or two.

 

[emmalynn]

In horrible heat, I once got a box where the eggs were packed in a little styrofoam cooler w/ an ice pack.

 

[Cason]

That's a good idea!!! (Also how horse vaccines are shipped)

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi Brooke! Was the box you received with hot eggs marked 'Perishable'? Had it been left sitting in the sun?
I've been marking my boxes 'Perishable', 'Protect From Heat, Direct Sun'.
Bubblewrap is a pretty good insulator if your shipper uses it.
Good luck!
Lisa
WRAPPING & PACKING EGGS FOR SHIPPING

 

[pips&peeps]

Don't have them delivered. I have all my customers pick up their eggs at the post office unless they specifically ask to have them delivered to their home or to their place of business.

I always put: "DO NOT ATTEMPT DELIVERY, PLEASE CALL ###-###-#### FOR PICK UP." It works every time and the eggs set in the nice cool post office until they are picked up and don't have to ride around in a bouncy car all day.

 

[~SunSetsWest~]

I agree! I never have my eggs sent to the house, I use my PO Box and pick them up there....Never had any problems that way.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Yes my box was marked with perishable and fragile.

She has offered to put my number on the box for a PO call. I haven't ever done that with eggs..only live chicks but I will for these.


Thanks

 

[DutchChic]

Anyone ever try dry ice? Pros and cons please?

 

[JewellFarm]

In this heat, I would do a cooler with ice packs.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Quote:
Dry ice is for frozen, actually the heat should not hurt them unless it is over 114.8F for over 15 hours. This is the temp used to heat treat eggs for MG/MS, there is a 10% loss if eggs are infected. If the eggs are packed correctly and not left in the sun it is unlikely they are reaching that temp. Most times eggs have a bad hatch probably is from rough handling.

I shipped last month eggs from NC to Texas, both our states are HOT. I received a report back from the buyer that 7 out of 8 were fertile and 6 out of the 7 hatched.

My eggs are wrapped with the small bubble wrap with a length long enough to triple around the eggs. They are then wrapped 3 times with a piece of paper from a old phone book. They are then either suspended in shredded paper or packing peanuts. I only use the 12X12X8 priority box never the small box. The more the eggs are isolated from shock the better chance they have. I am amazed at how many shippers ship in the small box. I have never had 1 egg hatch from the #4 box. And will not buy from any seller who uses them. No offense but the larger box is free, and packing materials are not that expensive.

Eggs sit in nest box outside in the heat in the summer until a broody sits on them. Most people have good hatches with this method. I can't imagine any postal employee sitting in a vehicle that is over 114.8F. It may be more possible with a urban carrier than a rural though, as they walk their route.