I agree that four days in the mail isn't going to be good for the chicks, and I'd certainly be worried.
Two things. First, sometimes I've gotten the email for the package shipment the day before they ship--I think it's the post office confirming that they've received notification of a shipment headed out for me--you know, that the hatchery has printed off a shipping label for me, but the box of chicks actually leaves the hatchery the next day. I'm not saying that's what happened, but it's a possibility.
Second, you could call your local PO, and ask for the location and phone number to the distribution center. For me, it's Billings, a two hour drive. I've gotten phone calls from the distribution center when a box of poults/chicks just misses the truck to the local POs, and I was able to drive over and get them. Of course it doesn't always work out for people to be able to drive 4 hours to get their chicks, but sometimes it does.
When we ordered a Lav Orp pullet and got a cockerel instead, rather than refunding us the different between the higher price for females and lower price for males, they refunded us the whole $20 we paid. Talk about a good reputation!
Please keep us updated on your new babies.
