Shipping methods for shipping eggs

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

I've been getting button quail eggs from my SIL in SC. The last box I got had a big hole in it and a sticker that said "received damaged". The mailman asked how the eggs turned out and we told him it wasn't a good hatch. He explained that when the mail comes in, they THROW the boxes into regional bins (east side, west side, etc.) Doesn't matter if it's marked fragile or not. They try to toss the bigger boxes first but that doesn't always happen. He said if you pay a little extra and send the box certified, they walk the box to the bin. Now, that doesn't mean they won't throw a heavy box on top of it, but he said it lessens the chances of damage because they are more careful with certified. I haven't tried it yet because on a $5 something priority box of eggs, it would have cost me almost $3 more. The bubble wrapping of each egg definitely helped and nothing was broken. I just hope they weren't scrambled...

 

[Mrs MIA]

That is good to know... for the amount of money I have tossed in the trash on shipped eggs, I would ALWAYS pay for certified mail if I knew it would help it make it here in one piece. ALWAYS.

 

[Street Eggs]

double boxing helps strength the exterior box too so it doesn't crush

 

[sandiklaws]

I have used the shavings method for shipping for several years now. Eggs have more needs than just protecting from shell and air cell damage, and plastic touching the eggs is counterproductive to ensuring that the eggs retain proper moisture and oxygen levels. Eggs are ALIVE and like all living things they need to "breathe" which they do via pores. Wrapping up the egg in plastic is not much different then doing the same to a chick. Eggs also require a stable humidity. When wrapped in plastic it is not uncommon for eggs to "sweat" as the box warms and cools during transit. This moisture can ccause the egg to absorb toxins from the plastic out-gassing. We all hear that 30% hatch rate is the norm for shipped eggs, however I have found this to only be true with the plastic shipped eggs. When I ship my eggs using shavings, I typically expect a 50-70% hatch rate, and frequently hear of far better then that. I do advise my clients to set the eggs after a 24 hour rest, candle and evaluate the air cells, then to set them upright without turning for 3-5 days depending upon how badly (if at all) the air cells were damaged. I feel this also adds to the success. I live in Massachusetts and have shipped literally thousands of eggs to 39 states including Alaska, and have yet to have less than 50% development rate using the shavings method.

 

[Street Eggs]

Sandiklaws,

Thanks for your input/info. That all makes a lot of sense. I definitely look into changing my shipping methods a bit. I currently use a paper towel to wrap them. Do you think this plays the same effect as plastic?

 

[sandiklaws]

Sandiklaws,

Thanks for your input/info. That all makes a lot of sense. I definitely look into changing my shipping methods a bit. I currently use a paper towel to wrap them. Do you think this plays the same effect as plastic?

probably not as it would absorb moisture

 

[suebee]

cancel post

 

[Street Eggs]

OK thanks for your input

 

[suebee]

LOL! I was just going to say this thread is many years old but still useful I see. I use the bubble wrap method but I can understand where paper towels wrapped first could be helpful in letting the eggs breathe. Something to chew on...
I'd be interested in any research.

 

[Uzair Ahmed]

So how do y'all ship eggs? I mean I live in Pakistan and I want some fertile eggs. How can I import them?