Oh that is terrible. I am sorry that you had this awful experience. I think a package handler somewhere didn't realize it was a live shipment. How sad for you and for the ducklings.
I recommend overnight shipping if at all possible. I ordered across the country and received my chicks at the beginning of June. At first I chose the regular shipping option, being told it was normally successful. However, in the end I changed to overnight shipping (though it cost extra). Hearing your story, I am very glad that I did that. My chicks were shipped in the late afternoon and I received them the very next morning, so they were not out in the heat of the day. Even with this incredible speed, one of the ducklings was listless, dehydrated, and seemed to weigh almost nothing. She recovered within a couple of hours, but was so weak at first that I am certain a delay of even half a day more would have killed her.
I pray that your next shipment will be healthy and will arrive promptly!
I recommend overnight shipping if at all possible. I ordered across the country and received my chicks at the beginning of June. At first I chose the regular shipping option, being told it was normally successful. However, in the end I changed to overnight shipping (though it cost extra). Hearing your story, I am very glad that I did that. My chicks were shipped in the late afternoon and I received them the very next morning, so they were not out in the heat of the day. Even with this incredible speed, one of the ducklings was listless, dehydrated, and seemed to weigh almost nothing. She recovered within a couple of hours, but was so weak at first that I am certain a delay of even half a day more would have killed her.
I pray that your next shipment will be healthy and will arrive promptly!
... I opt for eggs now; I got an incubator so now if a duckling dies, its kinda on me instead 
And eggs can ship easier, but that's a whole new ball game there... Good luck with the new shipment; hope they arrived safe and sound.
Glad to see they made it safe and sound; enjoy!
