Shipping eggs between US and UK?

[Tim]

Hi guys,

It's a long shot I know but I'm trying to import 10 Tufted American Buff Geese hatching eggs from the US to the UK. I cannot find the Tufted American Buff in the UK - only Holland. The theory is to import birds from Holland and hatching eggs from the US to get unrelated bloodlines.

There are several problems...

1. The Journey - (time, rough handling, temperature in the hold, pressure in the hold....)
2. The best packaging to use - I thought perhaps a poly-box within another padded box
3. Health Certificate / regulations? I know nothing about this (yet).
4. Types of parcel postage from the US to UK? I don't know the best way to send them.
5. X-Ray machines? Will these eggs be damaged by X-Rays?

I thought I'd ask for help as you may have some good ideas and may even know someone that has sent eggs between US and Europe.

Finally, if you know of anyone who might be interested in keeping this breed - to start this breed in the UK, we would need 3 unrelated strains plus some normal American Buff Geese to cross back to if they started to get white flight feathers or similar. I do not have the space for so many birds (perhaps 20-25 in total) so would need to look at having other people breeding a small number of birds and swapping a couple of goslings within the group. It's a long term project of course, you can't really breed until the geese are 2 years old.

It's a long shot but I think I'm crazy enough to do this.... :?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Tim,I know someone in U.S.A. who imported fertile eggs from europe to U.S.A.,I could give you his details if you think he could help.

My only other suggestion is to have a word with the secretary of the goose breed club.Maybe there are other members who would be very interested and possibly also know about importing eggs.
I've no idea about an x-ray machine.

 

[nnbreeder]

D.E,F.R.A. is the rule maker for this. Here is the page from their site.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/iins/birds/a8.htm

Packing the eggs is simple. Bubble wrap around each one and then pack in a box with more bubble wrap.

As far as x-rays go I am sure that all would be fine. I get shipped eggs all the time that hatch very well and I am sure that some have had to have gone through the machine.

The sticky part would be transit time. It may be better to send them by airline as the time would be hours and there is usually less times of handling. Of course all Atlantic flights are non-stop and go into Heathrow to clear customs. We used to ship dogs but just in the US.

As far as health cert. that is determined by DEFRA as to what they need to get into the UK.

 

[Anonymous]

goose eggs are very hard to hatch and the usa to uk joureny ect wouldn't be the best thing for them either , what about sexed day olds ?

and as from speeking to breeder a while ago , he remarked ' importing from america is getting increasingly difficilt'

 

[Tim]

For info - I have found a way to get some Goose Eggs to the UK without a huge cost.

It is possible to post (or hand carry) up to 2KG of Goose Eggs from US to UK for personal consumption. This is on the Defra site and I have an email confirming this. I just need to check if there are any US restrictions.

To keep the eggs from freezing in the hold of the aircraft, they would require a heat pad - there is one sold on ebay (US) - a uniheat pack that is a 72 hours @100 degrees F.

They should taste good

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the update Tim,so when are you going to the U.S.A.????

 

[Tim]

I actually looked at the cost of a flight to California - it was £500 or so... But the wife would never forgive me :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Well father's Day is coming up,say you want cash only for presents,towards your goose/america trip,then your birthday,xmas etc.Let everyone know you're only interested in cash or a return ticket .

 

[Tim]

:lol: Hadn't thought of that Lydia!

I would go if I had or could justify the cash...

Lottery ticket this weekend then...

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: Hadn't thought of that Lydia!

I would go if I had or could justify the cash...

Lottery ticket this weekend then...

It's why I usually buy my own pressies......definitely get what I want that way .Must be some way to get you there......I'll keep thinking,meantime,try and buy a winning lottery ticket....... .

 

[Anonymous]

Ooh,I know,take your wife to California for your wedding anniversay.Kids at your grandparents,neighbour looking after your poultry,all she gets you in return is some goose eggs...........whilst you're in California obviously .