ugh, proved my point....re:shipped eggs

[ecse129]

I had 30 eggs shipped in styrofoam egg cartons that were then put into a "flat rate box" (which is less than I was charged for shipping of course) and they BARELY fit into the flat rate box. There was no padding at ALL just the styrofoam. Somehow most of the eggs managed to not break. (Still not sure how) However the hatch rate has been horrible. Out of the 30 I think 5 went into lockdown. Day 21 is tomorrow and I am honestly not sure if ANY are going to hatch. I think they got way too jostled because there was nothing to absorb shocks such as packaging. This has been my worst experience with shipping and so far I am not even able to get the seller to offer a partial refund. He also sent them to the wrong address, even though I EXPLICITLY gave him my school address to make sure they got here (where the incubator is) but instead he sent them to my other eBay address so they had to sit a couple of days. They also took almost a full week to ship. I have never had such a bad experience.

I ordered some from Texas A&M that I asked to come next week, we will see how well they are packaged. I would assume being a university they will be well packaged.

 

[shuizar209]

Quote:
I had the same thing happen... the eggs looked great, none broken, but the insides were scrambled. My theory is that the egg itself can't move, so the liquid inside absorbs all the shock. Best luck I've had (shipping and receiving) are eggs that are individually wrapped in bubble wrap with the ends open.

Kathy in Texas
www.ChickenTrackin.com, www.CountryChickens.com

I completely agree. you could not have said it better. A lady in Ohio ships eggs the same way (individually wrapped and open on the ends. Ive had great hatch rates with hers. I think I got 20 out of 24 to hatch. She even shipped them during christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hennypenny99]

I too start with the breed I want, then narrow it down to who is closest, who has the qualities I am looking for in the chickens and of course feedback. If you find someone really good I would keep using them. The silkie eggs I ordered were from prostock198 on ebay. I am having great luck with these. I am in Oklahoma and they came from Indiana. The other eggs came from Kentucky. Although none of the eggs arrived broken from either seller there was a difference in the packaging. In the eggs that are doing so well she took an egg carton for one dozen eggs, she wrapped each egg in bubble wrap with the tops and bottoms open a bit (probably so the egg could breathe) and then she shut the carton and put it in a big shoebox priority box that allowed plenty of room for lots of peanuts to cushion the egg carton.

Now I was shocked when the next box of eggs came from the other guy. He took an egg carton for a dozen eggs and cut it in half. He wrapped the eggs the same way as the other person but put them in a very small box and stacked the halves on top of each other. They were surrounded my a thin layer of shredded paper. At first I thought the other girl and done overkill on her shipping but it obviously paid off. I think they need plenty of cushion to absorb the bumps and bruises of being shipped. I will definately buy from her again but the other guy - probably not. I left positive feedback for both but if I were to ship eggs I would definately use the same process as prostock198.

 

[maureen9962]

I have hatched 22 out of 24 shipped eggs from BYC auctions in the past month. This is the result of two auctions. I was thrilled with those results. On the down side, last month I got 1 chick out of 12 eggs. Only 4 made it to lockdown. All the eggs were packages beautifully. You just never know with shipped eggs. It is a risk...

 

[Widget]

I've had two sets of shipped eggs this year. First batch I had 12 out of 15 hatch. Second batch was 12 out of 16. Both were from the same BYC seller. One was for Buff Orpingtons. The second was EE. And they were sent when winter was still raging around here so the shipping temperatures weren't that great. No idea yet on the pullet/roo ratio. So I think it is a combination of how sellers pack the eggs, how the post office handles the package and how well the incubator works.

 

[Cattitude]

I've received three batches of shipped eggs this spring. Two batches of Ameraucana (different sellers) and one batch of Silkies. At this time, 8 of 14 Silkie eggs made it to lockdown. Eight of 9 Ameraucana eggs for the first batch and 9 out of 10 Ameraucana eggs for the second batch made it to lockdown. All were packaged very well. The main difference in packaging is that the Silkie eggs had been taped all around in their cocoon of bubble wrap. It is possible that the 6 Silkie eggs that were quitters had airflow problems during shipment.

I'm taking notes on the shipping methods, because I plan to eventually ship out batches of test eggs from my Silkie project. I want to do everything I can to make sure that the recipients have the best possible start on hatching!

 

[Brown Chicka Brown Cow]

Wow...I feel very lucky with my personal experience on shipped eggs....although it is my first time with shipping and incubating (in my own homemade incubator), I have 11 out of 12 buckeye eggs developing nicely with lil wiggly feet and body parts, due on Easter....being my first time i'm very nervous, but i couldn't be happier so far and keeping my fingers crossed for a good hatch. Mine where individually wrapped with bubble wrap and open ends, in a paper egg carton, put inside a larger box, and surrounded on all sides by newspaper. Only had to throw one out that had blood rings and no developing....was also from an ebay lady in Ohio...she had a 100% feedback....and they made it in 2 days.

 

[rarely bored]

Quote:

Hope you have a great hatch!


Thanks for all the information! I'm soaking it all in. I sooo want to count my future shipped chickies before they are paid for.

 

[wowmanacat]

With all that I have read about shipped eggs I am not going to buy any. I will get mine at our local auction that is just about 9 miles away. I have just heard to many horror story about what happens to the eggs at the post office or once they are delivered

 

[Brown Chicka Brown Cow]

Thanks for the welcome rarely bored.......and the good vibes ....i'm sitting on my hands...lol