Shipping Eggs for Hatching

[HFFAdmin]

Benefits of Shipping Hatching Eggs in Foam
Shipping hatching eggs using foam provides several advantages that enhance the safety and viability of the eggs during transit. Here are the key benefits:

Impact Absorption
Cushioning: Foam shippers absorb impacts, reducing the risk of breakage.
Stable Environment: The foam keeps the eggs snug, preventing movement that could lead to damage.

Improved Hatch Rates
Protection: By minimizing the risk of damage, foam shipping can lead to higher hatch rates.
Position Maintenance: Foam helps maintain the eggs' position, which is crucial for their development.

Recommended Foam Shipping Methods
When shipping hatching eggs, consider the following effective methods:

Packing Techniques
Double Boxing: Use two boxes to provide extra protection.
If the eggs are packed well enough double boxing may not be necessary.
Foam Inserts: Place eggs in foam cutouts to secure them individually.
Padding: Add additional padding, such as foam or bubble wrap.

Best Practices
Air Cells Up: Always pack eggs with the large end up to keep the air cell in the correct position.
Snug Fit: Ensure that the eggs fit snugly in the foam to prevent movement during shipping.

Conclusion
Using foam for shipping hatching eggs is an effective method that enhances protection and can lead to better hatch rates. By following proper packing techniques and best practices, you can ensure that the eggs arrive safely and in good condition.

EggShip2.jpg (10.25 KiB) Viewed 145 times

[HFFAdmin]

I have shipped eggs all over the country and have also received many shipments myself. Here are some things I’ve learned over the years about shipping, packing, and incubating hatching eggs.

Shipping Strategy
When I Ship:
I have only shiped eggs on Mondays through Wednesdays to avoid the risk of eggs sitting in a post office over the weekend.
Sign-Up and Testing:
Before I started shipping each season, I set up my breeding pens and have done a test hatch to check fertility. I have eaten a few eggs to check to see if the eggs are fertile, then incubate a batch. I only put 5 or 6 hens with a rooster, which usually insures a better fertility rate. Only after confirming fertility have I accepted requests (I usually have had a sign-up sheet online).

Packing:
I use styrofoam (foam) shippers and custom-cut holes for each egg. This has saved more than one shipment—even when a box arrives dented or mangled, the eggs always have arrived intact. I always send extra eggs, just in case there are casualties in transit, but all of the eggs I have shipped, the eggs have reached their destination intact.

Hatch Rates and Risks
The Reality:
Shipped eggs are always a gamble. Even with the best packing, postal service handling can be rough. For example, I once received 15 eggs; only 3 hatched, despite perfect packing. A 20% hatch rate.
Hatch Results:
I have experienced both good and poor hatches with shipped eggs—sometimes many of the eggs make it, and sometimes only a few hatch. Bottom line: It’s always a risk, and I let buyers know up front.

Incubation Tips (for Recipients)
First Steps After Arrival:
When eggs arrived, I have put them in the incubator as soon as possible. However, I did not turn on the automatic turner for the first day. Letting the eggs rest and to warm up gently to help the contents settle after shipping.
Testing Fertility:
I recommend warming up your incubator and trying a test hatch before sending out your first orders each season.

Humidity and Embryo Development
Common Pitfalls:
The most common reason for chicks being fully developed but not hatching is humidity that’s too high during incubation.
Eggs need to lose moisture as they develop; if not, chicks can drown before pipping or from moisture built up in the air sack and when they pip, they drown from condensation or high humidity. The only time you need to raise humidity is during the last 3 days ("lockdown"), which helps chicks zip and hatch out.
Tracking Moisture Loss:
There are many helpful charts online about proper moisture loss during incubation.
My Advice:
Don’t keep humidity too high for most of the hatch; let the eggs lose moisture through the shell.

Final Thoughts
Shipping eggs is always a bit of a gamble, no matter how carefully you pack them or what handling labels you use—postal services aren’t always gentle. Still, with careful preparation, good communication, and by managing expectations, you can maximize your success.

If you have any questions about shipping, packing, or hatching, feel free to ask! I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.
Please feel free to copy and use any of my labels if you plan to ship any eggs!

Infertile egg

Fertile egg

[HFFAdmin]

Here are some hatching tips to include with shipped eggs. I hope this tip sheet will help. Make any adjustments you deem necessary. These are only guidelines. I hope you have great success in the future. Please share any ideas you may have!

Quick Tips for Successful Poultry Egg Incubation and Hatching

1. Set At Least Six Eggs
Don’t try to incubate fewer than six eggs at a time. Hatch rates are rarely 100%—especially with shipped eggs, which may only hatch at 50% or less. Also, remember that a significant portion of your hatchlings could be males, which may not be your goal.

2. Ensure Proper Temperature and Humidity
Before adding eggs, plug in your incubator and stabilize it at the right temperature:
• Forced-air incubators: 99.5°F (37.5°C)
• Still-air incubators: 101.5°F (39.2°C)
Still-air models need a higher temperature because air layers inside can vary. Always measure temperature at the top of the eggs and use a thermometer and hygrometer if your incubator doesn’t have them built in.
• Humidity: 30–40% for days 1–18, then increase to 70–80% for the last three days.
Always consult your incubator’s instructions. If using a turner with shipped eggs, place the eggs in immediately but wait until the next day to start turning.

3. Minimize Opening the Incubator
Avoid opening the incubator, as heat and humidity escape quickly. This is especially important during the actual hatching phase—opening the incubator at this time can cause chicks to get stuck in their shells.

4. Mark and Turn Eggs Regularly
Turn the eggs at least three times daily, always an odd number of times. Mark each egg with a pencil—an “X” on one side and an “O” on the other—to keep track. Clean hands prevent bacteria transfer. Stop turning eggs after day 18 to let chicks position themselves for hatching. Automatic turners make this process easier!

5. Know Your Timeline
Chicken eggs typically hatch in 21 days at the correct temperature, but allow a couple of extra ays before discarding unhatched eggs. Cooler temps may delay hatching; warmer temps may speed it up.

6. Let Chicks Hatch Naturally
If you see a small pip or crack in the shell, be patient—it can take anywhere from 5–7 hours (sometimes up to 24 hours) for a chick to finish hatching. Don’t pull off the shell yourself, as this can injure the chick due to active blood vessels.
If, after several hours, a chick seems truly stuck (dry shell, no progress), you can very gently moisten the shell with a Q-tip dipped in water and use fine tweezers to peel it away in small amounts. If you see blood, stop immediately.

[HFFAdmin]

If you are sipping hatching eggs, please feel free to include this "Hatching Egg Disclaimer" with your eggs.

HATCHING EGG DISCLAIMER

There are no guarantees on hatching eggs. Please buy only if you are willing to risk that they may not hatch.
THIS IS DUE TO THE MANY FACTORS. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
-EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGES.
-ROUGH HANDLING OF THE PACKAGE DURING SHIPPING.
-X-RAYING THE PACKAGE BY THE POSTAL SERVICE.
-THE DISTANCE THE EGGS HAVE TO TRAVEL.
-THE INCUBATION PROCESS.
Although hatching eggs are assumed fertile, be aware that NO hatching eggs are guaranteed to hatch. There is a reasonable expectation for your eggs to arrive intact; not broken or cracked, and that they are actually fertile or at least EXTREMELY likely to be fertile. There is no way for breeders to test each egg for fertility prior to shipping, most fertile egg sellers take time to incubate & hatch from their own supply regularly to verify fertility. It is safe to assume that if their eggs are hatching, that all or most of the eggs will be fertile. When the eggs are gathered and mailed to you, the eggs may have contaminants on them. You should wash your hands before and after handling the eggs. DO NOT WASH THE EGGS. You further accept there may be delays in mailing or processing. These are issues that may be beyond my control and are an inherent risk of mailed hatching eggs. No matter how well any eggs are packed, you will probably never have a 100% hatch.
Understand that YOU, the buyer, bear ALL the responsibility for your purchase of hatching eggs!!!