ALWAYS check the price difference
How to make a posted chicken =


A recipe for posting eggs

by the Cuckoo Stud

# this article only takes into account Australian Postal packing containers. Other countries’ containers/requirements are at the readers responsibility.
Also note that this method was devised over more than a year of trials, proving to be the better choice regards fresh air transference. I do not endorse or encourage the use of any kind of plastics to wrap the actual eggs.
Use either newspaper or bubble wrap around the micro-climate cartons to help stabilize the carton/s within the OZ Post parcel

Main Ingredients –
12 or 24 eggs (fertile of course) and no more than 4 or 5 days old - having been gently turned 4 to 5 times daily prior to packing

Packing Ingredients -
1 or 2 X egg cartons **
1 X OZ Post carton for both Surface Mail and Express Post
1 X Express Post satchel (if required)
1 X roll alfoil
4 X still joined paper towel squares (dampened and rung out lightly) 
       this helps with humidity creating a Micro-climate and has been proven to make a marked difference in viability
1 X plastic shopping bag (contributing to recycling) this is to keep the Oz Post parcel dry -
       DO NOT use clingwrap as that seals out the oxygen and can 'smother' the eggs
1 X previously read through News Paper (contributing to recycling) and / or bubble wrap
1 X roll packing tape
1 X pen for addressing
** update 2020/21 = due to the pandemic and the 800+% increase in both Express and Parcel Post I am sourcing Styrofoam
​     transport cartons to help aid in the safer travel of eggs sent out

To be noted –
the OZ post carton should hold either 1 or 2 egg cartons (12 egg capacity cartons) very well and is an essential ingredient to both forms of posting

The OZ carton should fit well into the Express Post satchel. 2 doz lrg eggs with wrapping comes in at about 3 to 3¼kg
To send Ex Post in just the Oz Post carton could cost more as it goes on weight X height X depth (so always check difference)
for Express Post address the satchel only
for Surface Mail – address the Oz Post carton –

# you need to include the cost of travelling to and from town if you live a fair distance out and make a special trip to post eggs – some have stated that the eggs sent cost them more than was paid to purchase and send them as they had not put the cost of petrol into the equation = add extra if needed

Preparation of eggs -
Wrap each egg individually with 2-3 tissues (lrg eggs) or 3 to 4 tissues (bantam eggs) to ensure they won’t move when placed in the carton receptacles – place them pointy end downwards into the receptacles – this has been found to be more beneficial to the yolk not sticking - if needed fill the empty spaces with shredded tissue – DO NOT over pack with tissue – just enough to hold the eggs firmly

When packed - close the lid carefully and firmly and tape it shut by wrapping 2 lots of tape around the carton partially in from each end.

Wrap each egg carton with alfoil leaving the ends uncovered – tape lightly in place

Wrap the dampened still joined paper towel squares around the alfoil – this helps to maintain moisture levels 
(so essential when being transported)

Wrap all this inside the plastic shopping bag then tape to hold it shut – remembering you are contributing to re-cycling here

# this creates each cartons own Micro-climate keeping the humidity at a good level during transportation
    by using a plastic shopping bag you are allowing some air transference as they do not seal completely

To prepare the Oz Post carton –

Tape the inside back folds of the carton to hold them in place

‘Scrunch’ pages of news print* and place enough on the bottom to ensure the egg carton/s is/are cushioned
Place a single egg carton centrally – 2 cartons will fit in a ‘BM’ size but they still require paper / bubble wrap to keep them still
Position more ‘scrunched’ news print around and on top of the carton/s to ensure no movement – adjusting amounts as needed
* Alternately wrap the carton/s in bubble wrap, using sufficient top and bottom adding extra around the sides as needed 
Close the OZ Post carton.
Note that news paper is absorbent so if the worst happens it will help to confine / absorb the contents of the parcel

For Surface Mail = address the carton

For EX Post leave it blank

Tape across the central points all the way around the Oz Post carton - like a cross – leaving room for a postage sticker to be attached if being sent via Surface Mail. There is no need to address the carton if Ex Post as only the 5kg Satchel needs to be addressed

Make sure you sign the declaration on the carton or the satchel

# NEVER EVER PUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON THE PARCEL IS GOING TO ON THE FRONT - AND IN THE SENDER SECTION = YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. INCLUDE A CONTACT NUMBER FOR EACH PARTY IN THE SECTIONS PROVIDED - (Oz Post prefer mobile numbers)

NEVER  PUT - - -
THIS WAY UP or FRAGILE or HANDLE WITH CARE or FERTILE EGGS - ESPECIALLY NOT THIS ONE
Unless of course you want those OZ Post workers to SHAKE the carton to see if they can HEAR the chicks inside – OR play football with the box (just for fun) – or outright stomp on the box just to be mean – I know someone that DID get a box arrive with “FERTILE EGGS HANDLE WITH CARE” plastered all over it and the carton obviously smashed around with a large foot print on it and every single egg smashed –

So on that note I say clearly – if you are stupid enough to put any of those ‘messages of DOOM’ on the carton you get everything you deserve – which is = purchasers on your back because you were foolish.

These days the use of Express Post between Australian states has improved, and when flown, parcels are now in pressurized holds. Express Post is now a viable, fast and often cost efficient alternative to Surface Mail


If Express Posting - there is no need to address the carton only the satchel - place the carton in the Ex Post Satchel making certain the carton will be the right way up when sealed - and seal - the tape is exceptionally strong and will hold


Always post on a Monday to ensure the eggs arrive Wednesday through Friday of the same week = depending on where they are going and method used – 
if sending right across the Country use ONLY Express Post as it can take 10-14 days via Surface Mail

Egg preparation upon arrival at destination –

Carefully un-wrap each egg and stand them pointed end down in the carton they arrived in keeping them in a cool dark place (a cupboard, NOT the fridge ) for 12-24hrs to allow the air sac to settle before setting them either under a broody or in an incubator.

As a Courtesy –

Advise the breeder the parcel arrived. Then once hatched advise of the number of chicks = many don’t do this, also some don’t answer emails or phone calls asking about the hatch. So as a courtesy let the breeder know

** Check List = tick off as completed **

Main Ingredients (  ) - Packing Ingredients (  ) - To be noted (  ) – Preparation of eggs (  ) –
To prepare OZ Post carton (  ) - Egg preparation upon arrival at destination (  ) – As a Courtesy (  )

# Worthy of note - at unwrapping, when candling eggs that have been transported via plane - the air sack can appear to be scalloped or abnormal. This does not appear to effect the viability of the fertile egg.

So I hope that my bossy advice regards posting eggs might help someone to get a better hatch rate on eggs either sent by, or sent to them


This method of packing and posting has been proven to be advantageous for a better hatch rate.

Please do not expect a 100% hatch on all transported eggs as this is a very unrealistic attitude to have. Most breeders know that some eggs laid by hens, even with a rooster with them 24/7 may not be fertile; others may not be viable from the postage process.
Yet others may not be viable due to the vagaries of the individual incubator.
A 30 to 50% hatch is good for posted eggs, an 80 to 95% hatch is excellent, and this method can help increase the hatch rate.

Please be aware that there are risks involved in posting eggs.
No responsibility can be taken once the eggs leave your possession as you cannot be held responsible for the actions of others.
It is recommended that all eggs are candled before packing to check for cracks / faults and that the air sacs are intact.
'Defect' eggs should be discarded and used to make a cake or breakfast the next day.

Another Breeder once said “If I get 2 from 12 to hatch I am doing well, more are a bonus”.
So I will say, yes, if you anticipate 2 from 12 you should not be disappointed, but if you get 5 or more you have done very well.
If you get 9 or more you have done excellently.
I recommend that people wanting eggs from Breeding Pens sent through the Post ask for 2 dozen as this number of eggs potentially gives a better number of chicks on the ground.


# subject to copyright laws of Australia