USPS Shipping Delays: March 2021: Should I Be Concerned?

[wordgirl]

My chicks are on their way to me in Minnesota from Ohio through MyPetChicken. They shipped yesterday and I have a tracking number, but the tracking is either not up-to-date or the chicks are still in Ohio. I do think that the tracking is not staying on pace with the package's actual progress, as I think the first two updates were somewhat delayed from when they actually occurred.

My local post office representative (who was super helpful when I called yesterday to notify them I was expecting an order) seemed to indicate that she expected the chicks would be put on a plane between Ohio and here so I'm hoping they fly tonight or are already in our regional sorting facility to move to the local facilities tomorrow morning. I'll update when they arrive. I'm hoping and praying they come tomorrow!

My chicks are here! Got a call from local post office at 6:18am that they were ready for me and they had me come pick up before window hours! Chicks home by 7:00am!

 

[doughouse]

I have a chick order from Meyer set to be hatched and delivered the last week of April.

How did it go?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I canceled my order, can't stand the thought of dead babies... I'll look locally for what I want and if I can't find it I'll just not have it this year

No sad faces neccessary, I found 3 beautiful new additions close to home, so no shipping stress for me or the littles

 

[doughouse]

My chicks hatch and ship tomorrow. This is always so nerve-wracking!

 

[Astrid]

How did it go?

It was a horror. No fault of Meyer- the package actually arrived in less than 24 hours. But it was so manhandled by the PO that seven of the nine arrived dead, stuck under the bedding and heat pad, or head down, jammed in the crevice between the divider that keeps the chicks from the packet of gro-gel. Honestly, I don't know how the two sole survivors lived. Meyer was very upset, and is filing a claim with the PO. It was very traumatic, and I was so looking forward to Salmon Favarolles for the first time. I did a lot of chick support and the two survivors, a Speckled Sussex and a Buff Orpington, are thriving. I had to go to Agway to get them some buddies, though, as that first day I didn't know if they'd make it through the night. Their buddies are a week or so older, but all seems to be happy in the brooder. Thanks for asking.

 

[doughouse]

It was a horror.

OH MY GOD that's horrible! I'm so, so sorry. What a heartbreaking nightmare.

Our four chicks shipped Monday and arrived at our post office today. When I went first thing in the AM to pick them up the guy who brought them out from the back was just kind of casually swinging the box as he brought it to the counter. My eyes were the size of dinner plates when I saw him coming, and I almost shouted out to him. When he got to the counter the teller told him they were live chicks and he seemed surprised but immediately held them still. I'm not sure why the chirping didn't clue him in sooner. Fortunately, all four are okay.

I thought I would have the worst USPS handling story to tell, so I'm so sorry to hear you have me beat.

 

[JKHerdItAll]

OH MY GOD that's horrible! I'm so, so sorry. What a heartbreaking nightmare.

Our four chicks shipped Monday and arrived at our post office today. When I went first thing in the AM to pick them up the guy who brought them out from the back was just kind of casually swinging the box as he brought it to the counter. My eyes were the size of dinner plates when I saw him coming, and I almost shouted out to him. When he got to the counter the teller told him they were live chicks and he seemed surprised but immediately held them still. I'm not sure why the chirping didn't clue him in sooner. Fortunately, all four are okay.

I thought I would have the worst USPS handling story to tell, so I'm so sorry to hear you have me beat.

I’m so glad that your chicks arrived safely! I’m in Wisconsin and still waiting for mine that also hatched on Monday, and I’ve pretty much lost hope

Tracking still shows them in Cleveland. I’ve talked to 3 USPS people over the past couple days - the first two of course blamed Meyer, but the third said that chicks are being flown from Cleveland by FedEx to make delivery “faster” and that it’s out of USPS hands until the package arrives at my distribution center.

 

[Astrid]

OH MY GOD that's horrible! I'm so, so sorry. What a heartbreaking nightmare.

Our four chicks shipped Monday and arrived at our post office today. When I went first thing in the AM to pick them up the guy who brought them out from the back was just kind of casually swinging the box as he brought it to the counter. My eyes were the size of dinner plates when I saw him coming, and I almost shouted out to him. When he got to the counter the teller told him they were live chicks and he seemed surprised but immediately held them still. I'm not sure why the chirping didn't clue him in sooner. Fortunately, all four are okay.

I thought I would have the worst USPS handling story to tell, so I'm so sorry to hear you have me beat.

OH my god what a fright for you! UGH! I'm SO glad your little ones made it safe and sound, DESPITE the carelessness of that postal employee. In one of my several conversations with Meyer, the exceedingly helpful employee told me about how shipping chicks is not a new concept for the post office. Hatcheries have shipped chicks via the US Postal Service literally since the formation of the USPS. They filed a claim, but wow-- as a Professional Development Specialist for adult educators by profession, I really feel like someone needs to sit them all down in front of a Powerpoint. SHEESH!
Hope your chicks continue to thrive!