Could use some good stories/encouragement about your ducks. My order of Welsh Harlequins should be here May 25. I know it is still weeks away but all these bad luck stories I keep reading about chicks getting left at distribution centers, etc. is really working the nerves. My ducks have to come all the way across the country. Then there is the Post Office. I don't know what I was thinking. Out here in the boonies and I really have about zero confidence in the PO doing what they should. I know for instance that there will be one and only one truck coming in that morning. If they miss that truck....they will be sitting somewhere that I have no idea how to find. I wonder if I really thought this through.... Success stories anyone?
Hello birdydeb & welcome to BYC! In February, I placed my order with Metzers. I ordered all females: 2 WHs, 1 Buff & 1 Cayuga. I spoke with my post office in advance. The good part about being in the boonies, which I am, is that these deliveries are pretty common. Everything went according to plan. The post office called me at about 6:10 am to tell me of my ducklings arrival. They had 4 boxes of live chicks/ducklings arrive that same day. I know another member that has had great luck with 2 orders from Metzers. I'll tag him so he can share his stories. @Tevyes Dad
As Debs Flock said, I have had very good luck. I actually had 4 shipments. 11 then 2 then 2 then 3. The odd ones showed up Thursday and the even ones showed up Wednesday. The only problem I had was one duckling was a bit constipated so it was questionable the first couple days. It is a good idea to call the post office ahead of time so you know what to expect. For example I had to go to the back of the PO several hours before they "opened".
Thank you all. I want these ducklings badly enough that I ordered exactly what I wanted instead of taking a chance on the TSC bin. I'm just gonna believe that I will have a success story too.
I ordered direct from Metzer and shipped them shipped from west coast to east coast. Arrived in perfect condition and were very active when I unpacked them. Call the receiving post office and introduce yourself to the staff there. They'll have their own instructions for pickup. My local post office called me at around 5am to tell me they'd arrived and then called again around 6:30am to tell me I could pick them up at the back door.
I ordered six from there just a couple weeks ago. I live all the way across the country in NY, but they arrived on Wednesday. One was dead, but I think it was either the cold or it just had something wrong with it. (It was pretty cold that week, and I didn't know it would be when I ordered them.) You shouldn't have trouble with cold if they're coming in May. I contacted Metzer and the next week they sent me a replacement and her buddy (both Welsh Harlequin) That's them in the picture; Quackers is the one with the darker head, and Puddles is the other one. Metzer will send gro gel with them, and mine didn't even finish theirs. Don't stress about it; they should be fine. By the way, great choice! Welsh Harlequins are friendly and so adorable!
I have an order set to ship on May 9 and arrive on the 11. I'm nervous too, but will let you know how my shipment turns out.
I just got my order on Wednesday. We ordered 12 but we lost one. I'm e-mailing Metzer now and they have a refund/loss policy. I'll let you know how it goes if it goes awry. The other ducks are healthy and happy. This is a picture from today...
Hey DuckGirl, the same thing happened to us. What part of NY are you in? We're in the Utica area. Yeah, it wasn't freezing here the past week but it probably wasn't the best for young ducks either.
