Shipping question for all the breeders!

[Stephies_Leo _Dragon]

I hope this is in the right section I figured all the breeders usually visit this section and I couldn't think of another section to put it in. My question is how many breeders ship no matter what the temp and how many wait till its a certain temperature? I was under the impression that breeders always waited till it was at least 40 degrees to ship. But then I have seen a few breeders say they ship no matter the temp they just put some heat packs in. Is this safe? How do you pack it if you do? I have never shipped when it was below 40 so I don't know. And it seems like everyone wants to buy a dragon in January and February...lol I wanted to post a poll but I didn't see where you can do that on this forum. I have probaby 5 dragons that I am holding for people right now and I know they are anxious to get them. If there is any safe way to ship them then I would appreciate any advice. I hope all the breeders respond so I can get a good idea of what everyone does.
Thanks alot !!

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Im sitting on a dragon that needs to be shipped almost a month now.
Im lucky the buyer is patient and understanding.
When Im pushing shipping I have shipped when the lows are in the high 30s but I double the heat packs and pace and pray alot.

 

[Stephies_Leo _Dragon]

Thanks Tom ! When you say you double the heat packs, does that mean you put 4 heat packs in there ? I have a dragon that I have been holding almost a month and will probably be holding it another month if this weather doesn't break. Same with the others I am holding now. Customers are understanding but its tough when you gotta feed the little boogers that long ! lol Do you still guartantee live arrival when you ship that cold?

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

ive only done it 1 time and i did gauruntee the animal. Im waiting for 40 degrees...lol

 

[spyder79]

i will garuntee live arrival as low as 30 degrees as i ship with 3 72 hour heat packs and double insulated panels in the box but anything lower and it doesnt leave my home.

 

[Stephies_Leo _Dragon]

Thanks Spyder I hope more people can weigh in on this topic.

 

[Kagome100]

Im going to be shipping a adult male next week maybe not sure yet, How many heat packs should i use as of right now. I live in Warner robins, GA and the box is going to CA.

 

[koiboydavid]

Use an insulated box and dont poke holes all in it as that completely destroys the insulation factor. Pay a little more for 30+ hour heat paks and make sure you position them in the box correctly. I have been receiving and shipping dragons all winter without any issues. Remember, it is not just about the weather and temps at the start and end of the journey. A lot happens to that box between point a and point b. Example, I just had someone ship me a dragon from California and it was warm there and nice here in North Carolina. Guess where the box spend several hours switching planes, CANADA!

Be prepared!

 

[spiritwolf1270]

We will ship down to 31...that's it...no less. 31-40 warrants 3 - 40hr heat packs (top/bottom/side). 41-50 = 2 packs (top/bottom). 51-75 = 1 pack (bottom). 76-89 = generally no pack. 90-100 = ice pack. 101+ = no ship. Probably not a perfect program but it works for us. We use a box/insulation/box design that remains pretty cozy (so the passengers claim . We usually activate the heat packs at different times, so they're not all hitting their stride at the same time. Each pack is wrapped with 1 paper towel. The dragon is placed in a plastic container (w/holes) or snake bag (sub-adults) and set in/surrounded by shredded paper. We always place 2 to 4 - 1/4" air holes in each end panel but vary the number, depending on the temps...heat packs (and dragons) need oxygen to remain active - we know that the boxes aren't air-tight but it makes us nervous, so we always include them.

Here's the basic specs, if interested (I've worked for a box manufacturer for 20 years and have ours custom made).

12x10x8 32B ECT / 3W - Outside Corrugated Box
1/2" Polystyrene Insulation / 6 pieces
11x9x7 32B ECT / K - Inner Corrugated Box

If you would like exact specifications, let me know and I'll dig them out. This size works up to sub-adults.

By the way, the pacing usually begins below 70 degrees for us and continues until we've heard from the buyer...lol David is right though...if you've ever tracked a package, you'd be amazed at where they end up along the way.

 

[koiboydavid]

Great stuff Rockinar! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Stephies_Leo _Dragon]

Thanks so much Rockin it's great to hear other people's shipping methods. I do have a couple of questions, you said you use two boxes, do you place the insulation and heat packs in the inner box or the outer box? The holes you make for oxygen I assume go through both boxes and the insulation?

 

[spiritwolf1270]

It goes like this:

Big Box. Then place the 'cut to size' foam insulation. Then insert the inner box. The heat packs are taped to the panels in the inside box (with the dragon). All space between the boxes should be filled with insulation. Make sure that there is stuffing between the packs and the dragon. The surface temp of the packs can get to 100+ degrees and you don't want the dragon in direct contact with the pack for an extended period of time.

Corrugated Boxes are an excellent insulator - the two boxes, along with the polystyrene do an excellent job of maintaining temperature.

Air holes are applied in the two short side panels. I form and build all three pieces (box/foam/box) - close it up (don't tape) and then poke the holes through all three layers. I preform to insure that all holes line up. Poke the holes BEFORE inserting the dragon :lol:

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

[Stephies_Leo _Dragon]

Hey thanks for the info Rockin !