HatTrick Silkies Articles Shipping Eggs

Shipping Eggs
~ Nikki Stetson

Back in the day when Janet and I first started swapping ideas and birds, we did what was easiest and most cost effective for us, we swapped eggs. Since we live 6 hours apart, we were both thankful that USPS will ship eggs and were happy to pay for Priority service. Like all good things, there's usually a compromise. The compromise here is, we are putting EGGS (of all things) into the postal system. That in itself says A LOT. How often do we get magazines and packages in the mail that look like they've had a rough journey? The reality is, the postal system involves many different hands, trucks, planes, whatever, and to assume it all arrives in perfect condition is a bit far fetched. To assume EGGS (of all things) will arrive in perfect condition (both outside and inside) is also far fetched. So, why do we do it? Because we can. Because it's easy. Because it's fun. Because when it works, there's no other excitement like it (to a poultry hobbyist anyway).

But what about the downside?
Let's face it, we as hobbyists take the most natural of things and do the most unnatural of things to it. And sadly, we expect great results, whether it's putting our own precious eggs into a styrofoam box w/ heat and a fan or putting our eggs in the MAIL so someone else can put them into a styrofoam box w/ heat and a fan.

So, what can you do?
Well, it's been our experience that most damage is done to the inside of the egg by way of the air cell. Once the air cell becomes damaged or dislodged, there is little hope (if any) of a chick forming. The frustrating part for both buyers and sellers is, the assumption that this is an infertile egg, it is not necessarily infertile, it just didn't stand a chance. So, to counter air cell damage as much as possible, we have found that the 'snugger' the egg, the better. Pack the carton and box as tightly as you can without breaking anything. Less movement inside gives the eggs a better chance of arriving without air cell damage. There are many ways to package eggs, the method below is what we have found to work out the best.

Egg shipping/receiving is risky business. Because of that, we DO NOT guarantee eggs, and are very honest about this. Our best advice has always been, don't spend more than you are willing to lose.

Packing Materials; you will need an egg carton, soft pine shavings, newspaper, bubble wrap, packing tape, scissors and a sturdy box.

Place a small amount of shavings in the bottom of each egg cup. Put an egg in each cup and nestle it into the shavings. -if your shavings aren't soft, wrap each egg in a quarter of a papertowel to protect it from any sharp wood chips. Next place more shavings on top of the eggs and close the carton. The eggs should feel snug in the carton and the carton will bulge.

Go around the carton a couple times with the packing tape to secure it. Then wrap the carton in a couple layers of bubble wrap. -if you are out of bubble wrap, wrap the carton in a few layers of newspaper-

Next, begin to line your box with tightly crumbled newspaper. When a little less than half way, place your carton inside. Then continue packing the box with crumbled newspaper. It is important to pack all areas snuggly. And be sure to leave enough room on each side of the carton to pack newspaper there as well. This way the newspaper takes the brunt of any hits, not your carton.

When you are ready to close your box it should want to bulge slightly at the top, but give enough to let you close it. Tape it up, put your address label on and with a little luck the person on the other end of this will receive viable eggs.

Just a few notes;
The USPS provides Priority boxes that are ideal for a carton of eggs. They are #7 (12x12x8) But any clean, sturdy box will do. I have no idea where I got the WonderBra box from (really!) but it worked just fine :)

It is recommended that you let shipped eggs 'rest' for a period of 24 hours before you incubate them. I don't know if there is any real scientific evidence to back this up but many old timers say it so that's good enough for me.

Happy Hatching!

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