Understanding the risks of shipping hatching eggs

[kstaven]

I must say it is common practice around here to use a tight compact box for shipping eggs. Jen is quite correct about stacking in trucks and crushing. All the extra packing in the world can't save eggs from jarring and bouncing or xrays etc. The only thing extra packing does is help prevent cracked shells if the box is really mauled by the post office.

With a dropped or mishandled box he same shaking force is applied to the yolk sac inside the egg no matter how much packing is used. The sudden shock of decelleration is identical. F=M x A applied here will tell you all you need to know.

 

[jenlynn4]

Please do not post private emails in public. Private conflicts should be private and stay off the board.

And I did want to add another comment to everyone, One more thing to think about is: communication (in a nice manner) is the key to any success. If you have a problem, you should contact the person (in a nice manner) and ask them about it. Dont go flying off the handleor sending nasty e mail or posting nasty things aobut people before you talk to them. In most cases the seller will offer to replace the eggs at just shipping cost. 99% of the time people are very receptive and understanding. After all, we just want our customers to be happy.

I got into this because These birds are something I really enjoy. And I want to share that feeling with others so they can have something that they enjoy just as much as I do. Its when it starts to cause you stress and feeling bad that I dont enjoy. So please remember to think about the sellers feelings as well. and as forrest gump would say "and thats all I have to say about that" LOL You all have a great day!

 

[DuckLady]

This is great info. Thanks, Jenlynn!

 

[jenlynn4]

THanks terri! JEN

 

[Windy Ridge]

I've ordered eggs from several places, knowing the risks, and honestly I've been impressed with the various packing methods I've seen. I did receive some broken eggs once, but the eggs had been packed extremely well; the box was stamped fragile a thousand times; it's just that in shipping the post office had actually punctured the box with something. There was a huge hole in the side. The eggs beside the hole were broken, where whatever it was went in.

This is nothing the shipper could have foreseen or have helped, even if he'd foreseen it. And since he'd sent extras, anyway, I ended up starting with the same number of eggs I'd ordered. Almost all started developing, and most hatched... even considering they all must have had terrible handling, as was evident from the box.

Personally, I think most people who sell and ship hatching eggs have a genuine interest in getting you a viable, fresh product. We all know that the post office can be vicious, whether the eggs are well-packed or not, and that eggs can be damaged whether or not they're broken. And we also all know how touchy incubation can be... we've all seen the incubation threads in which a temperature spike, a loss of power or a problem with humidity has caused the loss of the eggs. That's all independent of what the seller can control.

I think if you have an honest, good relationship with your seller/breeder, you can still work together to get a good hatch, and honestly, I think most of them will take pity on you, too, if you've had something horrible happen. That doesn't necessarily mean they're going to re-ship more eggs for free, but it may mean the next time you order, they'll send EXTRA extras, or maybe just give you some good advice as far as your incubation methods go. Most chicken addicts like to see the addiction spread, after all... !

 

[User48]

I'm grateful to you, Melanie & others (whom I haven't yet had a chance to try) for offering specials from time to time and passing along your eggs at such reasonable prices. I ordered eggs from both of you at about the same time, and the majority are developing well. That's pretty remarkable given that they had to travel all the way from the East Coast (I'm in California). Somewhat ironic (& disappointing) is the fact that I ordered shipped eggs from someone only 1.5 hours away from me, and she packed them extremely well (none broken), but the air sacs were all jagged & only a few of them developed - none have yet hatched. It just goes to show that there are no absolutes with eggs. Even taking the seemingly wise approach of ordering locally will not always yield a good hatch. My very first attempt at hatching eggs came through HatTrick in Mass. & several of them were broken upon delivery & none developed. I honestly perceived it as an expensive lesson that there are no guarantees & that hatching eggs is always a gamble (though a very exciting one). If at first you don't succeed, try again.

I cringe at the occasional post on this forum from the egg buyer who didn't hatch anything & is loadly bemoaning their fate/cursing the bad luck they had because of post office mishandling, etc., & perhaps adding in that money is tight and, therefore, they feel especially "stung." It's awkward & uncomfortable feeling for all, and I hope it never makes our egg sellers turn away from offering us all such great bargains. What I mean is, I'm grateful - truly grateful- for you passing along what may or may not yield a nice hatch. I will never publically lick my wounds/attempt to generate sympathy if, unfortunately, things don't go my way. I hope others will consider doing the same.

Laura