Cockerels LOST BY USPS - How Long Can They Live?

[chick-n-pigs]

I shipped two 15 week old Cockerels via USPS Express Mail yesterday from Denver. Pursuant to USPS guidelines, they were shipped without water or food. The current temp is fairly cold outside (that is why I waited to ship them). They are destined for Minnesota.,

The USPS lost the package. The last time they were scanned was sometime last night when they "departed USPS sorting facility".... Not sure what time that was. They were supposed to arrive no later than 3:00 pm Minnesota time. They are now MIA and the post office is not expecting any more express mail trucks until tomorrow.

I am wondering how long they can make it in a shipping container without food or water. They are in a big (4 bird) box with plenty of room. They had full crops when they went in the box. I hope they can be located tonight, but they have been in the box for 27 hours and counting and now it looks like they will be nearly 40 hours in the box, assuming they are located tonight sometime and delivered in the am. After that, it would appear as if Monday is the next-best chance. That would be 4 + days in a box.

Any input on how long they can last without water (I am guessing that is the limiting factor) will be helpful in resting our nerves. Would hate to loose a couple of good looking birds because the USPS can't get their act together.

Thanks

 

[leadwolf1]

I'm sorry you are having so many problems. I don't believe that they will make it until Monday with the stress of shipping and no food and water. Maybe they will make it by tomorrow. Most, when shipping, add apples and other fruits/vegies into the box to tide the birds over. Did you include some fruits and things for them?

 

[chick-n-pigs]

No. Unfortunately I followed the "rules" and did not add any food of any kind.

 

[leadwolf1]

I've never shipped birds. I'm so sorry, you must be worried sick.

 

[chick-n-pigs]

It will be a shame if they die. I would rather eat them than let them die a miserable death only to have them go to waste. I don't understand why that can't get their act together. Such a shame

 

[leadwolf1]

I can't imagine the stress and anxiety they are feeling. It is unthinkable that the postal service can't keep an eye on live animal boxes. I've seen quite a few that were lost in the mail this year. For this reason, I don't think that I would ever ship.

 

[LillyBantam]

How awful, I'd be so worried. How can they be so rubbish! I tried posting hatching eggs, well wrapped, well labeled, and they were all damaged.... I'd now never trust posting a live animals. Unfortunately some people don't treat animals as we would, someone is to blame for this at USPS. Grrrr. How cruel. Keep us posted and try not to worry, I'm sure they'll turn up. I'm assuming they're too young to crow? I expect they wouldn't anyway in a dark box, but you never know. My boy used in the middle of the night!

 

[chick-n-pigs]

We are hoping for the best. I suspect they are sitting in a box at a sorting facility right now. We only sent them in the mail to try and avoid the inevitable fate most male birds face. Funny thing about society, in some cultures women are treated as second class citizens. When we look at the way "production animals" are treated, it is the males who are second class and often sacrificed. I hope Cuban Pete is crowing his fool head off right now. Unfortunately, he was just starting to find his lungs and I don't know if he is going to make his discomfort known.

The latest update from the USPS is that the next express truck arrives at 4:30 am. I have faith that if they are on that truck, they will make it. Their new momma has fluids and a syringe ready if they are wavering.

Here are a couple of photos of Cuban Pete and Odd ball from before they left. Any luck, they will make it.

 

[LillyBantam]

Aw, the gorgeous, very handsome! Yes it's true what you say about males in the animal worl.d. Keep us posted. I'd like to know how they are. Then you can perhaps write a strongly wired letter to the mail company!

 

[CluckyCharms]

This is just terrible...and extremely inept on the part of the specific postal workers who were in charge of their care during shipment. I pray they make it to their destination. Everyone makes mistakes (Lord knows I make a million a week if not per day) but when you are responsible for a life form...well that's all I'll say. I hope they are okay.