Baby Chicks in the Mail...

[BlueBaby]

So what happens to those poor chicks then if people start canceling all their orders? Are they going to be doomed to die no matter what???

They will most likely have to be sold locally to people.

 

[springvalley123]

Some years ago (2010ish?) a bill passed that required that requires the post office to have a fund for the healthcare costs of their entire service for *75 years*. That means they're being asked to have a fund for postal workers that aren't even born yet. That year they went from a profitable government organization to one that isn't.

Despite that they trucked right along and found ways to make ends meet. Then the pandemic hit and shipping all over the world pooped out. But they still managed to recover and were even doing really well during the pandemic. The post office showed once again that they're a wildly efficient and effective organization and they have been for literally 100s of years.

Then, suddenly, two months ago, a new postmaster started making unauthorized (and therefore potentially illegal) changes and has ripped out mail sorting machines and a LOT of post boxes from post offices. Many in my city have already been sent to recycling centers. Even if you don't live near a big city like me chances are good ANYTHING you order, including baby chicks, passes through a distribution center that currently has a terribly reduced processing capacity.

They have made the statement that they will no longer be removing more but the damage is done. Chicks are dying. Medication is being late. People are getting critical priority mail (like court summons, jury duty, bills, tax information, etc.) so late that it's no longer valid. This can mean that YOU (yes, YOU, or your mom or literally anyone) can be arrested TODAY for a tardy jury duty summons that you never even received.

And now farmers and chicken keepers specifically are being hit hard. It's not like you can ship poultry through FedEx/UPS - they won't take it! I suggest if you want to get you mail-in medications, plant seeds, eggs, chicks, feed, groceries, farm equipment or other necessities on time you start calling your appropriate government representatives and demand they restore machines to distribution centers across the country and investigate the people involved in removing them.

I received something about the budget cuts threatening the continued sending of day old chicks, from Metzer's. there was a link where you could find all the appropriate representatives and senators. we all need to do that.

 

[WallyG74]

I think if the large hatcheries want to stay in business, they will adapt. Maybe open smaller operations in various places. Make it easier for buyers to drive and pick up their chicks. Hopefully this will pass and it won’t come to that.

 

[Purlsnponies]

So what happens to those poor chicks then if people start canceling all their orders? Are they going to be doomed to die no matter what???

Yeah, that's crossed my mind also. But at least it would be a more humane death, I hope.

 

[AltonaAcres]

 

[jonalisa]

Makes me so sad. I put an order in with a hatchery for my first chicks before this all started.. they're set to ship in 3 weeks. Been prepping, reading, and building.. and of course worrying as I hear news about the USPS. Was planning on talking with the folks at the hatchery next week, but am now thinking I should just cancel and wait till I can find local chicks for sale.

Those poor chicks and farmers.

I hope you contact the hatchery and voice your concerns and I hope they have some plan for your chick's safety.

 

[jonalisa]

So what happens to those poor chicks then if people start canceling all their orders? Are they going to be doomed to die no matter what???

I don't order until November, but I would contact the hatchery and see if there is any other way to ship even if I have to pay more... if my hatchery was close enough to go drive there I would... but I too am worried there may be no other way.
Hopefully, this mass inhumane death will prompt them to do something.

 

[jonalisa]

I am calling my Reps and Senators - and I think we all should. BYC is a loud, strong voice if we all call our public servants.

 

[IamRainey]

God help those poor chicks and the hatcheries who are force to earn their living with this new challenge. I suspect they're still recovering from not being able to sell in SoCal!

And god help us if we lose our democracy because people can't vote or their votes don't get counted!

 

[IamRainey]

And just try and imagine what it will cost to ship anything if FedEx and UPS don't have the post office to compete with!