Eggs, Hatchlings and Poults

Hatching Eggs and day-old chicks, poults and ducklings require a specialty handling mindset throughout. Hatching Eggs are very sensitive to rough handling, temperature extremes and fluctuations. Recommended transit temperatures are between 55 to 65 degrees F. Improper handling can cause the embryo to die within the shell, losing hatchability. For day-old-chicks its important the plastic or cardboard case has adequate ventilation. Temperatures during transport should be 65-to-75-degree F. For poults, we recommend reverse engineering to the number of cases that can be taken per aircraft. This can vary pending trade lane. CFI understand there is a long advance planning stage that takes place as timing the hatch to ship is crucial. With limited oxygen or air flow depending on aircraft cargo hold, making sure we don’t “over ship” to what the aircraft should take is important. Making sure no dry ice is in that hold departure day and when loading the container ensuring there are enough air flow channels that also help manage the heat coming from the chicks themselves is also things we keep in mind.

At CFI, a sense of urgency is a must with the limited time allowed for transit, so mortality is minimized, and ROI maximized. It’s about continuous monitoring, the best route to the destination, the most oxygen in route, limiting sunlight, heat and cold exposure while the documentation is organized in such a way allowing for as smooth as possible clearance at destination.