Ameraucana Forum

The Official Ameraucana Forum => Housing, Health & Hatching => Topic started by: John W Blehm on April 13, 2019, 10:57:15 AM

Title: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on April 13, 2019, 10:57:15 AM
Many folks have their own special and favorite ways to package and ship hatching eggs.  I've used the foam rubber blocks (Foam Egg Shippers from Horizon Micro-Environments (http://www.myfortune3cart.com/Shop@Horizon/Foam_Egg_Shippers-Carton_of_12_36-hole_CHICKEN_Egg_Shipper.html)) with holes, that are designed for shipping eggs.  The secret is to double box them to just about eliminate breakage.  Once in the box the blocks fit in, wrap it with large bubble wrap and slide it into a second box.  The boxes and bubble wrap are available thru Uline (https://www.uline.com/).
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on April 13, 2019, 10:59:12 AM
More photos of hatching eggs boxes...
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Suki on April 15, 2019, 12:27:44 PM
Nice tutorial John.  I can't say I've ever received eggs shipped that well which probably explains why most are duds.

Sue
NePA
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on September 30, 2021, 12:46:23 PM

Thanks, I'm new to the forum.

Did I ask the question in the wrong place correct?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Michael Muenks on September 30, 2021, 01:02:15 PM
Pedro,

Don't worry if you things you post get moved. We try to keep the breeding section about genetics and breeding projects. Keep on posting!

Michael
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on October 01, 2021, 07:05:21 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on January 17, 2022, 06:02:03 AM
Good Morning!
Hi John, how are you?
I have a question, is the foam not toxic?
I'm having a lot of losses in egg shipments I imagine it could be the foam.
Good week to everyone!!
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Mike Gilbert on January 17, 2022, 09:21:47 AM
I have used the same foam shippers that John uses; in fact mine came from John.   And I have had very good luck shipping bantam eggs here in the USA.   So I don't think the foam is a problem.
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on January 17, 2022, 04:07:08 PM
Good Morning!
Hi John, how are you?
I have a question, is the foam not toxic?
I'm having a lot of losses in egg shipments I imagine it could be the foam.
Good week to everyone!!

The foam in the photo you posted doesn't look quite the same as the foam I'm used to using.  Your foam appears more dense and rigid...not as pliable.  The standard foam we use is used by many, so I doubt it is toxic.
I wanted to buy some more, but the Horizon company no longer sells it and another company I called said they wouldn't have any until at least April.  Several other companies offer foam egg shipper, but not the size I want with the hole layout I want.
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on January 17, 2022, 05:20:20 PM
I understand, I bought a large batch direct from the factory, I drill the holes here. they are tougher.

I have to analyze everything, with a density of foams.
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on January 25, 2022, 06:58:51 PM
The Foam Egg Shippers are no longer available thru Horizon.  Some other companies sell them, but some are out of stock and it isn't easy to find the hole pattern I want so I bought the foam blanks from Uline and made my own.  I made a drill jig for 1 1/4" diameter holes for bantam eggs with a 36 hole pattern to set over the foam blocks.  This places my hole cutter in position for each hole and I drill thru the jig/template and the 2" foam, with cardboard underneath.  I used an 1 1/4" diameter hole saw (for wood/plastic) to make the holes in the jig.  Foam hole cutters can be bought online that are used in upholstery, but I didn't want to wait so I went to the store and bought a 1-1/4" x 6" metal slip joint tailpiece extension tube...the one that goes under a restroom sink.  I used flat-washers and fasteners to make a shank on it so I could chuck it up in my cordless drill motor.  It is important to file the I.D. to make a very sharp cutting edge or it will pull and tear the foam.  The 2nd one I did was a breeze and I ran the cordless on very low RPMs.
Uline Soft Foam Sheets - White, 2" thick, 12 x 12" (https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-12837/Foam/Uline-Soft-Foam-Sheets-White-2-thick-12-x-12)
Uline Soft Foam Sheets - White, 1⁄2" thick, 12 x 12" (https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-12835/Foam/Uline-Soft-Foam-Sheets-White-1-2-thick-12-x-12)
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Mike Gilbert on January 25, 2022, 07:08:54 PM

Sounds like you went to a lot of trouble to make Pedro happy!    If you end up with too many of the bantam size, let me know and I'll be happy to buy them from you.   I can't believe how much better they lay now that I have the light timer in the coop.   I'm only giving them 15 hours.   The Ameraucanas are outlaying the Chanteclers. 
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on January 25, 2022, 07:22:05 PM
Sounds like you went to a lot of trouble to make Pedro happy!

I have a hard time starting on any project without knowing I can finish it and also if I feel I can't do it right...the way I feel it should be done.
I'm still not selling hatching eggs, but I've got a lot of foam to ship eggs when I want to.   :D

The outside shipping boxes can be flipped inside-out to reuse starting with a clean looking package. 
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on January 26, 2022, 07:06:22 AM

Interesting this tool, I did something similar including the template in the wood to be very symmetrical.
Congratulations John, I think we have something in common, I'm creative too
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on January 26, 2022, 08:04:31 AM
Look how I do.
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Michael Muenks on January 26, 2022, 12:01:55 PM
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing. I'm going to have to try this. I've been looking at the foam egg shippers out there and wondered if I could just do it myself.
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Pedro Nunes Marques on January 26, 2022, 12:08:39 PM
I did it alone, you can
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on January 26, 2022, 12:17:45 PM
Here are links to a couple cutting tools.
Double Rock Foam Circle Cutter 3 Sizes (https://homesewingdepot.com/collections/upholstery-tools/products/double-rock-foam-circle-cutter)
C.S. Osborne Foam Cutter (https://homesewingdepot.com/collections/upholstery-tools/products/c-s-osborne-foam-cutter)

I had ordered a Double Rock 1 1/4" diameter (bantam egg size) foam cutter and it should arrive any day, but since the tubing cutter I fabricated is working so well I don't need the Double Rock one.  It cost me $49.70 with shipping.  If anyone is interested in it, please make an offer.  I'd rather take a loss on it than keep it without needing it.
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: Stan Alder on February 25, 2022, 04:46:23 PM
Rather than spend the money on the foam cutter, I found a small can that has a 1 3/4 in diameter, cut the bottom off of it and used it to manually cut the holes in some 2 inch upolstery foam..worked very well!.to cut the square of upolstery foam to fit the USPS flat rate box, I used an electric knife..smooth and clean cut..
Title: Re: Shipping Hatching Eggs
Post by: John W Blehm on March 18, 2023, 02:02:32 PM
Attached is my layout for 25 large fowl hatching eggs on a 12" square foam block.