All four shipped arrived dead

[SDOH]

Our second batch of chicks ever were shipped yesterday from OH arrived in VA today dead. I knew this was a probability and now the level of guilt I feel is on another level. The box was completely intact and had no damage. The hatchery was very kind and willing to send out another order or reimburse for this shipment. So sad.....

 

[nuthatched]

No reason to feel guilty at all, these things happen

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'm so sorry that happened. We shipped two batches of chicks this spring (from OH to NH). The first batch were in the mail for a little over 2 days. We ended up losing a chick because of that. I completely relate to the feeling of overwhelming guilt, but these things are out of our control.

 

[SDOH]

Agreed, things certainly happen. It just feels awful because we planned to drive to pick them up precisely for this reason.

 

[SDOH]

I'm so sorry that happened. We shipped two batches of chicks this spring (from OH to NH). The first batch were in the mail for a little over 2 days. We ended up losing a chick because of that. I completely relate to the feeling of overwhelming guilt, but these things are out of our control.

Sadly, these may have been slightly over the 24 hours of travel. The hatchery suggested that the postal service may have covered the holes....as in, suffocated. I just cannot....

 

[thecatumbrella]

Sadly, these may have been slightly over the 24 hours of travel. The hatchery suggested that the postal service may have covered the holes....as in, suffocated. I just cannot....

You really can't know. The life of a chicken is incredibly brutal and unfair. Even a chick hatched under a mother hen risks getting pecked to death. I hope you'll consider replacing. The best thing I can think to do is monitor the weather. Most hatcheries will let you cancel up to a week before hatch. If I see a heat wave (or cold snap), I cancel. It's not worth the risk to me. Now the post office I can't control, sadly.

 

[SDOH]

You really can't know. The life of a chicken is incredibly brutal and unfair. Even a chick hatched under a mother hen risks getting pecked to death. I hope you'll consider replacing. The best thing I can think to do is monitor the weather. Most hatcheries will let you cancel up to a week before hatch. If I see a heat wave (or cold snap), I cancel. It's not worth the risk to me. Now the post office I can't control, sadly.

You are correct, I cannot know and speculating is not a good use of time. I really wanted the additional four to round out my first flock, but I simply cannot imagine shipping them again. No judgment of others, but for me, it feels incredibly irresponsible.

 

[thecatumbrella]

You are correct, I cannot know and speculating is not a good use of time. I really wanted the additional four to round out my first flock, but I simply cannot imagine shipping them again. No judgment of others, but for me, it feels incredibly irresponsible.

I completely understand. Honestly, I'd probably feel the same way if I lost an entire order. Something clearly went wrong. I don't know where you're located, but if you can find a local chicken exchange on Facebook, that's a great place to source birds. Even young ones if you enjoy raising them yourself!

 

[SDOH]

I completely understand. Honestly, I'd probably feel the same way if I lost an entire order. Something clearly went wrong. I don't know where you're located, but if you can find a local chicken exchange on Facebook, that's a great place to source birds. Even young ones if you enjoy raising them yourself!

Agreed. I am in Virginia and have not found a local source that can sex birds (we are not allowed to have cockrells in my city). Sigh....

 

[rosemarythyme]

I worry about that too, that's why I'd rather pay the upcharge and get chicks from a feed store. Too many stories of someone opening a box and finding dead birds.

You don't have local feed stores that might be able to add your order to theirs, perhaps? Even if they don't usually carry sexed birds or a breed you want, some shops can tack your order onto theirs, so at least they're the ones receiving it (plus the chicks stand a better chance being sent as a batch order).