Abandoned Chicks at the Post Office

[NatJ]

Some hatcheries now are giving the option to have your order delivered to your address,
View attachment 2861707

That page is not letting you choose between pickup at the Post Office and delivery to your door.

It lets you choose between pickup at the HATCHERY or shipping to your local Post Office. You will still have to pick them up at the Post Office-- which is explained on the hatchery's "shipping" page.

If you choose the option to pick them up yourself, it gives you the hatchery's physical address and hours to pick up your chicks. And the shipping charge goes away.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That page is not letting you choose between pickup at the Post Office and delivery to your door.

It lets you choose between pickup at the HATCHERY or shipping to your local Post Office. You will still have to pick them up at the Post Office-- which is explained on the hatchery's "shipping" page.

If you choose the option to pick them up yourself, it gives you the hatchery's physical address and hours to pick up your chicks. And the shipping charge goes away.

Makes sense!

 

[3KillerBs]

The basic problem is ordering ANY animal to be sent by mail or any other form of unaccompanied delivery. Go to the feed store and order through them. That way the chicks will be delivered to a person that is physically responsible.
I seriously doubt that anyone trying to save the chicks would be fired. But to avoid the lack of accepting the care of a living package - don't use them.

That only works if I want 25 chicks from Privett -- the only hatchery used by the only independent local farm store that allows customers to place orders -- or chicks from Hoover through TSC.

Since I want chicks from Ideal, Welp, and Cackle it's not possible.

Work with a reputable hatchery and PLAN.

 

[Iluveggers]

That only works if I want 25 chicks from Privett -- the only hatchery used by the only independent local farm store that allows customers to place orders -- or chicks from Hoover through TSC.

Since I want chicks from Ideal, Welp, and Cackle it's not possible.

Work with a reputable hatchery and PLAN.

Does Welp have a lower minimum now? I have Meyer, McMurray, Ideal & Cackle as ordering possibilities next spring. I thought those were the only ones w less than 15 minimums at a reasonable price...I like options! Lol

 

[NatJ]

Does Welp have a lower minimum now?

https://www.welphatchery.com/poultry_minimums
25 chicks or 30 bantam chicks

I have Meyer, McMurray, Ideal & Cackle as ordering possibilities next spring. I thought those were the only ones w less than 15 minimums at a reasonable price...I like options! Lol

Sometimes it is cheaper to get more chicks, because the shipping is so much cheaper for 15 or 25 than for just 3 to 6. If you are able to split an order with someone, or if you like fried chicken, that can be an option. If I want 1 pullet of a breed, I prefer to order 2, then keep my favorite and eat the other. That automatically means I'm having twice as many chicks shipped, which makes it easier to meet order minimums.

 

[3KillerBs]

Does Welp have a lower minimum now? I have Meyer, McMurray, Ideal & Cackle as ordering possibilities next spring. I thought those were the only ones w less than 15 minimums at a reasonable price...I like options! Lol

No, 25 chicks minimum with a 5 per breed minimum.

I'm going to be selling started pullets come the end of the month.

But I had to have Welp because that's where the Blue Australorps I loved some much came from (that farm store does not take orders from people -- you buy what they have, first-come, first-serve. Period).

 

[alwaystj9]

As the mail slows down, the chick problem will get worse. My latest order from Ideal was marked shipped a day early but that is the day they make the labels. They didn't get to the first Post Office until the next day. I usually get them on the second day but they didn't arrive. After multiple Post Office visits, intervention from the local Postmaster and a trip to the place they went before my local Post Office, I managed to get my 15 chickies home after approximately 65 hours of travel time. They would not have gotten to my local PO until at least 12 more hours which probably would have kilt them. I have never had this happen before and no one was really at fault. Every one tried to help but all stated that the system didn't really care if the shipment would die or not. Looking at the hatchery location, I could actually have driven to Ideal & gotten home a heck of a lot quicker than the USMail.

 

[Iluveggers]

https://www.welphatchery.com/poultry_minimums
25 chicks or 30 bantam chicks



Sometimes it is cheaper to get more chicks, because the shipping is so much cheaper for 15 or 25 than for just 3 to 6. If you are able to split an order with someone, or if you like fried chicken, that can be an option. If I want 1 pullet of a breed, I prefer to order 2, then keep my favorite and eat the other. That automatically means I'm having twice as many chicks shipped, which makes it easier to meet order minimums.

I know it’s cheaper to get more, & I am hoping to get some broilers next year, which will help me hit 15 or 25! I also like McMurray, ideal & Meyer b/c you can get only 1 of a breed (most have 3 or 5 minimum for pullets.)

Ideal has blue Australorps too, which is pretty much the main reason I’m thinking of ordering from them next year.

Sorry to get off-topic in this thread. I’m hoping the mail service will be better next May & June when my orders go in.

 

[Luv Ducks]

I used Metzer Farms in California and I live in Ohio. I only had to order two Mallard female Mallard ducklings which is exactly what I wanted. The only problem was I wanted them pinoned so that they would not fly away but they were not. I have to clip their wings once a year which can be a challenge for me. Our Post Office was great calling me at 6 am to let me know they had them. I was able to contact them ahead of time to let them know I was expecting them. They were in perfect health and they give me two eggs yet today. They are a year old now and I love them. I was blessed and would order from Metzer again as I had no problems. Just my experience on the subject. I am sorry some of you have not been as fortunate as myself. I have heard horror stories about other hatcheries and even Metzer's is not perfect. Our TSC will not order just a few ducklings for us.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

As has been mentioned before, the USPS does not own their own planes. They ship mail with commercial (generally passenger) carriers. So whenever the airlines are having disruption, the mail is affected - even mail that doesn't go by air - because that mail gets pushed to other services. and rail isn't running as normal, either.