Almost Had a Fatality This Morning...

[pony007]

My little chickies hatched from Meyer Hatchery on Monday, and were shipped later that night. They arrived at the post office this morning (wednesday), and as soon as i got the call from USPS me and my husband rushed off to pick up the babies. I was worried that i might have some DOA, as the weather has been pretty cold this week all over the states. But i was pleased to hear the chickies peeping loudly as the mail guy brought the box out to me. Once i opened the box, i found 12 perky hungry chicks running about and a thirteenth chick upside down not moving in the divider that held the growgel supplement. My heart sank. At first i though the little gal was dead, but as we were driving away I saw her twitch and knew i had to get her out ASAP! She was very cold to the touch, so i wasn't sure if she was going to make it. On the 30 mins drive home i cranked the heater and held her up to the vents to try and heat some life back into her despite my husbands complaints about the heat. Half way home she started peeping and once we arrive home she had her eyes open and was standing on her own. I got everyone into the pre-warmed brooder, and low and behold the nearly dead chick was romping around with the rest of the bunch like nothing happened. I thought the little girl was done for, but the hardiness of chicks is quite surprising. She's been eating, drinking and running about like the rest so i have no doubt that she's going to survive. We decided to name her Lucky, as it seemed fitting for her after all she's been through. We are happy and feel very blessed that all our little friends showed up alive and seem to all now seem to be in good health. (6 Dark Brahma, 1 Light Brahma, 2 Partridge Cochin, 1 Jubilee Orpington, and 2 Cornish Crosses, a 1 mystery chick (Maybe a FBCM?))

Lucky:

The rest:

 

[2ndTink]

That's wonderful! Good job with the save

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Thank you for sharing. I love the outcome and the pictures! This made my night

 

[TheTexasChickenGirl]

My little chickies hatched from Meyer Hatchery on Monday, and were shipped later that night. They arrived at the post office this morning (wednesday), and as soon as i got the call from USPS me and my husband rushed off to pick up the babies. I was worried that i might have some DOA, as the weather has been pretty cold this week all over the states. But i was pleased to hear the chickies peeping loudly as the mail guy brought the box out to me. Once i opened the box, i found 12 perky hungry chicks running about and a thirteenth chick upside down not moving in the divider that held the growgel supplement. My heart sank. At first i though the little gal was dead, but as we were driving away I saw her twitch and knew i had to get her out ASAP! She was very cold to the touch, so i wasn't sure if she was going to make it. On the 30 mins drive home i cranked the heater and held her up to the vents to try and heat some life back into her despite my husbands complaints about the heat. Half way home she started peeping and once we arrive home she had her eyes open and was standing on her own. I got everyone into the pre-warmed brooder, and low and behold the nearly dead chick was romping around with the rest of the bunch like nothing happened. I thought the little girl was done for, but the hardiness of chicks is quite surprising. She's been eating, drinking and running about like the rest so i have no doubt that she's going to survive. We decided to name her Lucky, as it seemed fitting for her after all she's been through. We are happy and feel very blessed that all our little friends showed up alive and seem to all now seem to be in good health. (6 Dark Brahma, 1 Light Brahma, 2 Partridge Cochin, 1 Jubilee Orpington, and 2 Cornish Crosses)

Lucky:
View attachment 2564657
The rest:
View attachment 2564658View attachment 2564659

So cute! Do you know what breed Lucky is? Which one of the breeds you mentioned. Just curios, she/he's a cutie! Will be following to watch your chicks grow up, I have many memories of raising a day old Partridge Cochin, so keep us updated! So excited to watch them grow!

 

[janiedoe]

Congratulations on your new flock! I'd keep an eye on Lucky & check her for pasty butt for a few days.

 

[pony007]

Yep, Lucky is one of the dark Brahmas. I will keep you updated on their progress I will definitely be checking them all for pasty butt over the next several days, it must have been quite the stressful ride for everybody!

 

[Lisa3315]

Congrats on your new flock and on saving Lucky! Keep us updated on how she's doing!

 

[pony007]

Lucky and the rest of little gals are all doing well! Aside from a little bit of pasty butt, they're all running about acting like normal crazy little chicks. I'll continue to watch for poopy butts, but i think they're all on the right track.

 

[NewAtThis15]

Sounds like a lot of my experiences lol. I'm glad that worked for you!!
How's your experience with chick delivery overall? I've been hesitant to try it.

 

[pony007]

I'd say my chick delivery experience has been actually pretty good. This was my second batch of mail order chicks, and so far i haven't had any die on me. I live in a more rural town, so i think my USPS guys are a little more caring with the chicks. They always call well before they actually open for the day. The stock from Meyer hatchery all seem healthy and pretty hardy. They are also packed well, they have a little hay nest and they put a heat pack in with them. It was still warm when i got the chicks!
I've been really lucky.. I have read reviews of some or all of the chicks dying soon after arrival.. So just have a to choose a hatchery that has a good policy on chicks arriving alive.