Feather Acres
Specializing in Rare Breed Poultry Preservation
Packing Eggs to Ship
Here is the way I pack my eggs to ship. I have tried several different methods, and this one for me is the fastest, easiest, and most successful. I don't want to jinx myself, so I'll just say I have had REALLY good results packing this way.
Here's what you need to get started.
A 12x12 box (free from the PO, I get them shipped to me in a box of 25 I think), shavings, an egg carton (I bought a huge box of 250, was just easier than begging, borrowing and stealing), newspaper (call it recycling!), packing tape, scissors (for the tape). I also mark my boxes with a Sharpie and have a "Fragile" label I created on the computer and print out to tape to the top. E-mail me if you would like a copy!
First I fill the cups of the egg carton loosely with shavings. Then I take my fingers and squish the shavings down to make an indentation in each cup where the egg will go.
I then add the eggs. I play with them to put smaller ones next to bigger ones, to allow for a little more room in between. You don't want them to be touching. If the box gets bumped hard enough or worse...dropped, they will surely knock together and crack. I nestle them down pretty firmly to make sure they are in there securely. These are runner duck eggs. They are huge, so a challenge to get packed safely. My silkie chicken eggs are MUCH easier! I then pile shavings on top of them. I work some in between each one to make sure it is padded from it's neighbor.
I then do my best to close the carton. It will be bulging everywhere from the shavings, but that is okay. You really don't want the eggs to be able to move at all, so firm is good. I wrap the two ends with tape, making sure it's closed enough that the corner eggs can't fall out.
Next, I crumple some newspaper and put it in the bottom of the box, about 4 inches or so. I place the carton in the middle so that it isn't touching any of the sides. I scrunch and tuck newspaper all around it not too firmly, otherwise it loses it's cushioning properties. Once I have enough in I seal up the box. It should bulge just slightly so you know it is packed tight enough. I always give a gentle shake to listen and see if I can hear anything wiggling in there. No wiggling is ESSENTIAL!
Finally, I print out a shipping label and postage on my computer. Very convenient. I attach my "Fragile" label, mark "Fragile" on all four sides, schedule a carrier pickup, and set it out for the carrier to take. I then always email the recipient to let them know they are on their way.
If I have an extra egg or two, I will bubble wrap it and tuck it in the newspaper around the carton. I always tell them I have done this though, so they don't go to ripping out the paper, and have the extras fly out. I have also bubble wrapped all the eggs and not used a carton with very good results, but it is more time consuming. All said and done, it takes me about 15 minutes to get everything out, packed, printed, and put away.