How to pack fertile eggs for posting.

It has been an interesting lesson, learning how to pack fertile eggs for posting - we've learned what works & what doesn't.  What used to be a lengthy task, we can now get done in around 5 minutes. 

​We've learned a lot from receiving fertile eggs from other farms via Australia Post.  Some people send them with minimal packing, just one layer of bubble wrap & we receive smashed eggs & or at least, torn air cells.   

We like to ensure that our customers receive 100% intact and fertile eggs, just as we like to receive when purchasing from others.  So after some trial and error, here is our packing method.  It's not the cheapest method, but we have never received reports of our eggs being smashed in the post.

1. Get yourself a 12-egg carton and cut it in half.  

• ​​​Ensure it's a decent quality carton, not a cheap end one that crushes easily.
• Cut the carton in half vertically, to make two 6-egg cartons.​

2. Grab  a roll of toilet paper.

• About 3 sheets will do.
• Roll the egg up.

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3. Roll the egg up.

• Remember which end is the pointy one.

4. Add the first egg to the half carton.

• Ensure there is some toilet paper padding the egg from above and below.  This helps to stop the eggs cracking if they bump up against each other in the post.
• Insert the egg into the carton, pointy end down.

5. Fill the rest of the carton

• Remember, pointy end down, and using the toilet paper padding above and below.

6. Close the half carton.

• Close it using some packing tape, in case the receiver opens it accidentally and drops all the eggs on the floor.

7. Lay the carton on some bubble wrap.

• We use a 50cm wide roll.

8. Roll the egg carton up in bubble wrap.

• Wrap it over 2-3 times.

9. Tape the bubble wrap on to the half egg carton.

• We flip the extra ends up & tape it to the TOP of the carton.
• Repeat this whole process with the other six fertile eggs.
  

10. Grab an A5 Australia Post Box.

• Can be purchased over the counter at any Australia Post outlet, or online.
• The more you buy, the cheaper they get.
  

11. Add the bubble wrapped half cartons into the box.

• They might be a bit too big if you've put too much bubble wrap on. Adjust as necessary.

12. Tape down the flaps at the back.

• This makes the carton a little easier to close.

13. Shut the carton & tape it up.

• Preferably with masking tape, not thin sticky tape.

14. Place the carton in more bubble wrap.

• 50cm wide roll.

15. Roll it up

• We roll 3-4 times.

16. Tape the sides up.

• Tape the excess underneath the box.  You've already added addtional bubble wrap above the eggs in step 9.

17. Use Express Post only, and let Aussie Post know what's in the satchel.

• Delays in the post can result in infertile eggs. Use Express Post only.
• Preferably send eggs that are laid the same morning if possible.
• A 3kg satchel will hold a dozen eggs packed via our method.
• A 5kg satchel will hold 2 dozen eggs.
• Write the instructions in this photo on your satchel using a permanent marker.  If it's not marked as Fragile, you can't really blame Australia Post for smashing it.
• Keep the yellow sticker showing the tracking number, for your records.
• Send the tracking details to your customer, and also monitor it from your end using the "track my parcel" feature on the Australia Post website.