The hatching eggs were supposed to arrive between September 11 and 13. Hatching eggs, like live chicks, are held at the local post office for pickup. This shipment was greatly delayed. It sat in the Ohio post office for 6 days before being sent along. The rest of the trip was made at a normal rate. They arrived on September 19 and were left on the front porch, on their side, in the rain, at temperatures in the low 40s.
I was not optimistic about the survivability of these quail eggs, but I let them sit for the day to stabilize and, before going to bed, put them in the incubator, just in case. If any of these eggs hatch, it will be around October 7. Fingers crossed.
Upon examination of the box, it turned out that there was no label to tell the USPS that it contained hatching eggs, there was no label telling to hold the package for pickup, and there was no label with our phone number for the post office to call us. The only label on the box was one that said “Fragile.” So, as far as the USPS knew, it could have been a box of Christmas ornaments.
I contacted the hatchery and they were prompt about offering a replacement order. That was a relief. The next batch of eggs should arrive between October 9 and 11.
