Why didn't shipped eggs hatch?

[HallFamilyFarm]

I have only received one bad packing of eggs. None hatched. Another only one hatched. Two eggs were crushed. Sadly the lone chick died a few days later. You just never know about the USPS.

 

[Titania]

onthespot, I think you may be on to something wondering what role the inner parts of the egg have. And poltroon, I hadn't thought about how much more damaging driving vs. flying would be on shipped eggs. I bet that has alot to do with this because the only other hatch I've had that was close to this bad (2 of 10 eggs hatched) came from Texas.

And, onthespot, I have had so many shipped eggs that hatch between 90-100% for me. Only two were bad (bantam faverolles from texas and true araucanas from the southwest). This was my first and only zero % hatch. As far as staggering my hatches, I incubate my eggs in a brinsea and hatch in a styrofoam still air hovabator. So, my mille fleur d'uccle eggs that were ready to hatch went into the hovabator days 18-21 while the rest of the eggs stayed in the brinsea. Then my buckeye eggs and ameraucana eggs went into the hovabator on their days 18-21. I've always been worried that the humidity spike from hatching eggs would affect still incubating eggs. So, I use the hovabator as my "lockdown and hatcher".

This was a very informative thread to read and clearly demonstrated why shipping eggs is detrimental to the eggs and why sometimes the hatch rates are not very good. I would like to commend everyone, especially Jim and Titania, for their very civil and honest interest in trying to discover the root cause.

thanks. Jim seems honest and like he treats his chickens right which is why I ordered eggs from him!​

 

[MobyQuail]

great thread, expecting hatching eggs and was reading up, good stuff. thanks

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Soon all of our eggs will be packed in the 3x4 egg cartons. We have an order enroute. These should allow the eggs to sit in the center of the shipping box. Giving more protection around the egg.

http://www.eggcartons.com/3-x-4-Egg-Box-Vintage-Style-Pulp-Cartons-Printed/productinfo/FHP-34V

3 x 4 Egg Box, Vintage Style Pulp Cartons

Detailed Description
Free Shipping!
The "EGG BOX" is back!

Do you remember these egg cartons? We do! For years our customers have been asking where they could find vintage style 3 x 4 (3 egg by 4 egg) paper egg cartons. They did not exist anywhere until now!

Thanks to Fall Harvest Products

, what was once only a collector's item is now available to you for everyday use at the market. These great egg boxes from yesteryear have a vintage style that will bring back fond memories for you and your customers. Your customers will not forget where they bought the eggs that come in this vintage style egg carton. This new egg carton has a natural (gray) color. Made from 100% recycled fiber paper. This carton holds from small to extra large eggs.

This egg carton features universal printing consisting of an old fashioned farm scene printed with blue ink. Printing also includes newest regulatory printing, including FDA Safe Handling Instructions, Nutrition Information and Refrigeration Instructions.

There is ample room for Grade Size, Pricing and your own Custom Rubber Stamper (up to 5½" long).

Also available completely blank.

 

[brahmapapa]

when i buy shipped eggs, i read the add carefully and I assume all risks involved. the sellers take precautions as best they can. if the eggs arrive intact, they have done thier job of packing well. ALL shipped eggs go thru a significant stress in travel. this stress always contributes to more dificulty for the developing embryo, some survive the process and some do not. I for one would never hold a seller accountable in any way for a less than stellar hatch% or no hatch at all as its usually a combination of incubator conditions coupled with stressed eggs that leads to lower hatch %. it was very accomodating of the seller to ship replacements... best of luck with the second batch, i hope they all make it for you. as the temps are going up seasonally it becomes more difficult to ship and not have the eggs overheat. good luck to everyone

 

[poltroon]

By the way, this could be a pretty interesting science fair project.

- Ship eggs back to yourself, and keep a control batch from the same chickens; compare hatch rates.
- investigate the structures likely to be damaged
- Expose eggs to conditions that we think may be factors: vibration, temperature, x-rays, vacuum.
- Search for papers that might discuss these issues in chickens or other egged species.