An egg orientation mechanism orients eggs within an egg handling machine including a plurality of randomly arranged eggs on a first egg conveying mechanism. A lifter mechanism located on the first egg conveying mechanism raises each egg away from the egg conveying mechanism to off balance and rotate the egg so that the egg is oriented to with larger end of egg leading as egg is released into a second egg conveying mechanism. A clamshell egg receiver includes a front wall, a rear wall and egg receiving space formed between front wall and the rear wall. Either one of front wall or rear wall pivots about a pivot point located below a centerline of the egg receiving space. A method of releasing an egg includes holding an egg by an egg holder, rotating the egg holder and releasing the egg at an angle greater or less than 90 degrees.