I've gotten the most breakage with eggs that were individually bubble wrapped,
but only newspaper was used as padding and filler. I've really been lucky with
many other shipments and have had little or no breakage as long as the eggs
have padding and the surrounding materials allow for "give" but little movement.
Hatch rates have been all over the map though, gotten lots of intact eggs with
wonky egg cells. It may be anecdotal, but I seem to get the best hatches from eggs
that are packed upright. I generally get the best hatches from those that travel the
least distance as well...but not always.
This is how I pack...probably overkill, and very time consuming and makes for
a heavier and more costly package....
Each egg is wrapped in a half (select a size) paper towel. Then wrapped in a half of a
12" x 12" small bubble wrap sheet. These are placed in a medium box lined with
a large bubble wrap sheet cut large enough to line the bottom, sides, and cover
the top. I try to place most of the eggs lg end up, then fill the "nooks and crannies"
with quilt batting. I can fit 13-15 eggs in this, depending on egg size.
I put this box into a 12" x 12" box and use pine shavings on top, bottom, and sides.
I really think this extra box with the shavings adds much more protection and shock
absorption. I don't just want to ship unbroken eggs, but unscrambled eggs
.
It's quite possible a 20 lb box could land on the egg box as it comes off the conveyor belt.
It makes for a heavier box though, and actual postage can run 13.00 or more,
depending on location...and that is not including materials and time, so I'll
be watching for others with effective, but less costly methods.
