Chickens without water: how long can they survive?

[Clearly]

I am beating myself up.

Yesterday I placed two chickens in the mail, "guaranteed" overnight delivery, ten weeks old. I've been refreshing that tracking number for 36 hours now, and they have not had a check in since 7:30 this morning in Seattle (where I mailed from).

I can't sleep tonight, I'm feeling sicker by the hour that I sent these kids to their death. I put blueberries and apple slices in the box, as was recommended on this site (even though the post office says no food).

My guess is, if they're not lost for good, they'll arrive tomorrow. Maybe the system just isn't updating. But I have these babies going to a little girl who has dreamed of araucanas, and it makes me physically ill that she may be opening a box of two dead birds.

Does anyone have any idea how long chickens can go without water? I'm hoping the fruits will hydrate them (I put them in there for exactly this sort of worst case scenario).

I have my alarm set for 5am, when the usps customer service phone number opens (8am est). But perhaps my late night BYC friends can give me some hope.... Maybe then I will sleep.

Anything?

 

[appps]

I thought posting only worked because newborn chicks can go 3 days without food or water. I can't imagine it being a good idea for 10 week olds. Had you actually found reference to older birds being posted? Would think at that age it's much like posting a puppy.

 

[Clearly]

Yes, you can mail chickens with the 1 day express in approved containers. Horizon specializes in such boxes, they're what I used. http://www.hm-e.net

They came with all sorts of instructions on ensuring success, and there are many threads and a resource link on this site about mailing the grown ups.

The post office offers insurance and "money back guarantee" if it takes more than one day, but the money is not even anything I care about. I'm worried about their hydration, and water in there is forbidden as to not damage the integrity of the box.

But yes, you can mail full grown birds. I'm more worried they're lost, but wondering about a roughly 48 hour delay, assuming they make it tomorrow.

Still no new scan on the tracking information. It's killing me. I'm just terrified.

 

[Clearly]

One resource here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/252070/shipping-requirements-for-adult-poultry-usps-info

With an additional link on the bottom to an extensive thread worth reading.

I did research this obsessively before going into it, but haven't found information on hydration in a delay.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

They could be there already, or will be first thing tomorrow--I've had packages arrive while USPS tracking claims that they haven't left yet.

 

[Clearly]

That's my hope. The buyer and I have been in constant contact all day, on the phone, texting, both obsessed just like the OP of that thread linked said; that you and the buyer will become very close as you refresh tracking numbers!

Either way, I'm calling the second customer service is open. I really REALLY hope those berries and apple slices have hydrated them!

Thanks for that.... Let's pray the tracking is incorrect!!!

 

[yyz0yyz0]

They could be there already, or will be first thing tomorrow--I've had packages arrive while USPS tracking claims that they haven't left yet.

+1 on that thought.

I've also watched the tracking for packages sent to me and I find them on my stoop before the online link is updated.

Let us know how you made out.

 

[Clearly]

Well, I just found out THEY MADE IT!

48 hours in transit, so we know chickens can survive that long!!!!

It was a nightmare with the post office, and they've admitted that this should NEVER have happened. Looks like they will be returning the shipping cost; both the seller and I were up early this morning on the phone with various customer service agents, and one actually had the courtesy to make some phone calls and track them down. When they were found, she assured us they were still making noises, which allowed me a few hours of sleep this morning.

Thanks for the support!