How to ship a Serama in 6 easy steps - Page 6

This thread is a lifesaver! Really helpful since I was just about to ask how to chick fowl

Great info!! 

I bet this would work great with quail or pigeons too, with maybe a little adjustment to their travel snacks.

Pigeons and doves are harder because they drink differently than chickens. Quail are very easy and you can also add millet sprays for them to eat. You probably could with chickens, though I'd be afraid of chickens choking on the stems

The one time I shipped doves I used millet sprays and I believe either orange sections or watermelon. It took 3 days but they made it in good shape. I don't know that I'd want to ship any again though, that was probably the most nerve-wracking time!

Is there somewhere I can buy one single adult box? Does PO have boxes? All the places online have a min. order of 10.

The PO does not carry these type of boxes. You have to order them and the best place I have found is http://poultry2.tripod.com/id3.html, which is Matthews Oak Ridge Farm. Best pricing you will find anywhere!

I weigh my birds and boxes here at home on the bathroom scale, that way I know approximately how much it will cost because I look it up on the USPS website for the zone they are going to from mine. I always know within a dollar how much it will cost the buyer but most times I give a rounded figure anyhow because of the cost of the box, fruit, shavings, preparation and trip to the PO in the middle of my workday.

I have shipped huge roosters and young bantam Cochins. And I chew my nails down to nothing during their trip and can't sleep worth a flip. Scary but also the only way to get them moved around quickly.

One day I would like to put a little camera in there to watch their ride from the inside like they did in the dog crate years ago. But then I am afraid I would never ship another bird! Although, most everyone I have heard of has arrived in good shape.

How would I find out an estimated cost to ship MANY Silkies. Lets say there will be 8 adult Silkies, (2) 2 month olds and (8) 1 month olds. I was looking at the Omni Nests that have 8 different compartments and has a ""Capacity- 8 larges pigeons, chickens, waterfowl, doves, quail, up to 20 lbs of birds"" I'd imagine it would be under 20 pounds but I wouldn't have the faintest idea what shipping cost would be??? I have to order the box which is expensive, and I won't order til payment is received. So I'm not sure what price I'd give the buyer so he can make payment?!?! I make it clear I refund if I overcharge but I don't want to make it WAY over the cost. Can somebody help me please?!?! My auctions ended today! Thanks

The easiest way would be to tape the Horizon regular boxes together.  It would take 2 different sets of 3 boxes taped together.  6 adults in 1 set (2 per box).  In the other set 2 adults in 1 of the boxes and divide up the 1-2 month olds between the other 2 boxes. 

Until you pay the cargo shipping on those express boxes, its cheaper in the long run just to buy some of the 2 bird boxes.  I can get them as low as $7/box and sometimes even free shipping if I buy enough of them.  Even if you figure $10/box, it would take you 6 boxes for a total of $60 just for them.  Those Omni boxes are about $25 each roughly and they charge through the nose to ship them too.

When you estimate the express mail, go to www.usps.com and plug in the zip codes and box weight/sizes.  It will be a little different for each location.  When taping those boxes together, the measurements will run about 16" tall x 10" long x 24" wide (8" for each box).  Generally it runs right about $90-95 for those.....

If shipping that many birds, without having an accurate weight or the zip codes, I can give you a rough quote....  It will be about $180 for the express mail and $60 for the boxes.  About $240 total.  Its ALOT of birds!!!  When you figure 1 pair is generally about $60-65, it still better to send more if you can.

Thank you so much! That was exactly what I was looking for! Your awesome

No problem... I've shipped alot of birds over the years.  Some of my pigeons are actually taller and weigh more than alot of silkies too.  I'm still leery of shipping the bigger peafowl and geese though.