Best method for shipping?

[b2c2chicks]

We need to ship chicks, but every quote I can find online through USPS is in the $40-50 range for express 1-2 day shipping. That seems rather high. Is there a way to still offer express 1-2 day for less or do most breeders go with 3 day priority? It’s way less expensive but I was under the impression you had to utilize express for chicks.

 

[keesmom]

You must ship ALL birds by Express mail only. You have no other option. Cost is dependent on the weight of the box and the distance between origin and destination. $40-50 is rather reasonable. Years ago I sent some adults to the west coast. Shipping was $300 per box.

 

[Cyprus]

You must ship ALL birds by Express mail only. You have no other option. Cost is dependent on the weight of the box and the distance between origin and destination. $40-50 is rather reasonable. Years ago I sent some adults to the west coast. Shipping was $300 per box.

Are boxes weighed at the post office? Any way to get an estimate on shipping cost before shipping?

 

[keesmom]

Are boxes weighed at the post office? Any way to get an estimate on shipping cost before shipping?

Yes, boxes are weighed at the PO.

I'm in a small town with a small post office. They know me well, and are willing to go out of their way to help with shipping issues. If you happen to have a friendly, helpful post office staff, you could go in with a weight estimate and ask how much it would cost to ship between zip codes. Explain that the box contains a live shipment. Do ask how long the shipment would take since in some locations even a 2 day delivery won't be guaranteed.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Afraid the cost is normal

 

[b2c2chicks]

Out of curiosity...I got a shipment from cackle last year as 3 day priority. Yet every other box of chicks has been express 2 day. I wonder why?? And how?

This is about what I figured. I did find out that driving to the nearest “big town” to send them out takes a day off of most deliveries. If I send them out of my little redneck post office it adds a whole extra day!

 

[b2c2chicks]

How in the world do hatcheries offer $20 shipping? Would you say it’s built in, or do they get volume discounts?

 

[Acre4Me]

I’ll be getting some chicks from Sandhill preservation in a few weeks. They are located in IA. They are a hatchery (among other things), and offered two shipping options: priority (2-3day) or express (should arrive by 3 pm by end of second day). However, certain zip codes are express only. Because my last batch of chicks arrived DOA from a nearby Ohio hatchery (but took 3 days to arrive ...thank you USPS) I paid for express this year from Sandhill. This cost (for my zip, and for 25 chicks) for express was $37 rather than $11 for priority.

I’m not terribly trusting of the USPS due to really poor handling of some things and ridiculously horrendous delays when shipping a few thing priority mail to a continental US address (city, not rural, and only a few states away) and arriving after 14 and 16 days (rather than the stated 2-day arrival on my receipt), and then even longer waits when I shipped a package regular mail... rant over.

Good luck to you figuring out the ins and outs of shipping!

 

[keesmom]

How in the world do hatcheries offer $20 shipping? Would you say it’s built in, or do they get volume discounts?

The major hatcheries are allowed to send newly hatched chicks by priority mail, which is less expensive. But only day olds, they have to send started pullets by express like everyone else.

Before you start sending anything talk to the post office you will be dealing with to find out their policies. You will want to check with them to find out how long each shipment should take to arrive - some locations can take up to 3 days. You will have to ship early in the week (Mon-Wed), and find out if you have to call ahead to make sure there is a dry ice free flight available for them.

 

[NNYchick]

$40-50 actually sounds low. When I’ve seen quotes from private breeders it was more like $60-80 plus shipping box ($10-20). I believe to guarantee arrival in 3 days you have to ship express otherwise the post office won’t guarantee. Don’t skimp on shipping it will be more hassle than it’s worth trying to save a buck will give you unhappy customer. I’ve always seen shipping cost at buyers expense.