Question: Help shipping eggs SAFELY :-)

[SariYappa]

Hi.

Many of you have read about my first experience with an egg shipment... DOA :sad:

We have decided to try again, with a new batch of eggs that were just laid. I am on the receiving end, but I want to learn as much as possible about the subject.

I am asking experienced shippers for first hand advice:

1. At what stage is best to ship eggs? (age)
2. What lessons have you learned from experience?
3. What is your most successful way to ship eggs?
4. What should we NOT do?
5. What was your biggest mistake while learning how to ship?
6. What do you have to add?

Thank you in advance for any stories you are willing to share

 

[Quentari]

I haven't shipped eggs but I've received them. Overnight shipping, the eggs were still white balls, in a ziplock bag with a little water and inside a DVD case. Oh and in bubble wrap.

All arrived safely and only 3 all up didn't hatch,

 

[MEEX]

Have you had a look here: Caudata Culture Articles - Shipping ? There are a couple of methods shown.
[Edit: Just seen your other thread, but I've left the link in case it's handy for anyone looking in here]

I've only sent them out one time so I'm sure there are others here more qualified to tell you what to do. Also, not too sure if you want advice on shipping in or out, lol.

I just put them in a clean plastic 250/330ml juice bottle (method 1 in the link above), filled right to the top to prevent sloshing. I think I taped the lid on and put the whole lot in two push-close/zip-lock sandwich bags (ends alternated) and that was it. I was happy to get them out as quick as possible to whoever wanted them, so really filled some bottles with eggs and just an inch or two of 'empty water' at the top. Sent 1st class recorded, (which is meant to be next-day delivery but sometimes isn't) early in the week to prevent them being kept in the cold too long. I remember I had more trouble making up suitable sized boxes, I won't be doing that again!

1 Age? As soon as possible, the earlier it is, the easier it will be. If you can't get them out before they hatch they'll need more room / oxygen, so don't put any plants in with them.

2 What did I learn? Nothing that isn't obvious. It's the not-learning that keeps me young.
Getting any money up front is always a good idea, but I didn't even learn that.

3 Most succesful way? I only tried method 1, it was easy and did the job well. I was a little scared of method 2 but it looks viable, if time consuming.

4 What not to do? Panic! I mean don't panic, too much.
Oh, and don't keep 100+ because somebody promises to take them off you later. (See point 2 again).

5 Biggest mistake? I disturbed my filter before getting all the eggs out because some were stuck on the inlet. Get all the clean eggs out of the tank before you disturb any plants / filters / sand or they'll get a coating of dust. It shouldn't harm them but it looks awful.
Also, don't try to make up boxes from scavenged supermarket part-boxes. Especially not if you've got a lot to pack before last post.

6 What can I add? Make sure the person receiving them knows what they are doing, and still be prepared for plenty of questions. Tell them to age some water and arrange their food source. Print off some care sheets if you can or provide some links to Youtube videos, (I always take more in that way myself).
I might even include some micro-worms when I send out my next lot, and I've got some brine-shrimp eggs left that I never want to have to hatch myself.

Again, best of luck, and sorry to hear about the others that didn't make it.

 

[layna]

I bought eggs and they came in a tiny little tub (like a food storage tube) that had a screw on lid, it was filled to the top with water, had duct tape round the lid to prevent it coming off and was wrapped in bubble wrap inside a polystyrene box all arrived safely and all hatched

 

[SariYappa]

Great info :happy:
Meeks, the link you provided was the same instructions my sender used, method #1 (the bottle method). The only differences I could tell from the link, and what I received:

1. The bottle used to ship was a little over 3 oz, not 8 oz
2. The bottle was an old aqua safe water conditioner bottle, so it was flatter, and green, therefore I could not see into the bottle until opened
3. It had a great extra plastic piece when the bottle closed, but I guess it was impossible for me to see if the bottle was filled all the way to the top since it was not clear...

Do you think any of the above scenarios can be why the eggs arrived outside of the goo bubbles? I would love for him to have as much feedback as possible, with detail, so eggs can be shipped safely in the future, to myself as well as other new buyers.

I am ready with bins, water already out for a few days, brine shrimp eggs ready to mix up, and most importantly, time. I have not stopped researching, and think I could do a great job hatching some babies... Even though the first time will obviously be scary, and I'll be worried like a new Mommy until they hatch and grow! LOL

Thank you, everyone, for your input. Love this site!

 

[spyder]

Yes my eggs from Meex arrived perfectly.

I think the most important part was filling the bottle with water so they didn't slosh around. The sloshing wouldn't do them any good.

 

[auntiejude]

I shipped mine in a 200ml urine specimen container! Screw top lid, filled right to the top with water to prevent sloshing, wrapped in several layers of bubble wrap, inside a small carboard box.

Some had hatched on arrival, but all survived the first week :happy: and apparently are doing fine.

I would always advocate shipping as early as you can. And send them by the quickest method you can - overnight or same day if possible - as you never know how the package will be stored in a holding centre.