Consumer responsibilty when ordering chicks

[Katy]

The season has started for the yearly posts about chicks DOA. The consumers buying the chicks have to share in the responsibilty of ordering chicks while the weather conditions are still so cold over a good portion of the country. Yes, the hatcheries are hatching and selling, but that doesn't mean it's in the best interest of the chicks to order them. I am not a big fan of hatcheries, haven't ordered chicks from them in years, but I don't think it's fair to try and place all the blame on them when a box of chicks arrives DOA. Wait until the weather moderates and it will make for a much safer journey for the chicks.

 

[sksmass]

You make a good point. But for us newbies can an experienced keeper please chime in with some rules of thumb about when is the best time of the year to take delivery of hatchery chicks in various parts of the country? Like, on what date can you start in the South, the Northeast, etc.

Personally, I plan to start a flock this year but I have no idea when I should be putting in my order. It seems like a compromise between starting too early and getting decent selection from the hatcheries or starting later and maybe having to forego breeds that might be unavailable by then.

Also, does the location of the hatchery make any difference? Like should people in Texas be ordering from Ideal and people in New England from Meyer? Or is that pretty mcuh irrelevent given the efficiency of modern mail service?

 

[Wynette]

I personally feel location of the hatchery makes a HUGE difference. Use one as close to home as possible, and your possibility of risk goes down.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Perfect case in point. I had an order scheduled to come last week. We were and did get 20 inches of snow on an already 30 inches of snow. I knew most likely the airports would be closed Wednesday and most likely Thursday. I called Ideal, told them the situation and they happily agreed to hold off a week. I picked up a box of chicks this morning at the PO and they are happy and healthy. There were a few DOA, but that can happen anytime with shipped chicks.

Things to consider:

TEMPS where they are coming from and TEMPS where they are heading.
Weather Conditions (Will delivery be hampered by air traffic or road conditions).
How far away are you from your Post Office and can you pick them up immediately upon arrival or do they have to deliver them to you.
Ability for an air package to get to you from your location

That is how I look at it.

I do purchase from hatcheries and have always had great success. Good Luck to everyone, just put a little thought in to it.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
I wholeheartedly agree with TBC - which is why ordering from a hatchery close to home makes a lot of sense.

 

[thespinningcottage]

Last March I ordered chicks and lost 6 out of 8. I took my cues from the hatchery since I had no prior experience and NOWHERE in their literature did they suggest waiting. Oh, no; instead, they said the chicks would keep each other warm and the post office would call when they arrived and etc. etc. I suspect that as more and more "newbies" become interested in starting flocks like I did last year, they will fall into the same trap. Where do you go when chickeny-things are rough? To BYC, of course! That's why there's going to continue to be all these seasonal posts. It's good to try and educate as you're doing, and hopefully people will heed your advice before they order. I suspect that many people, like myself, will learn the hard way and it is so sad for the chicks.

 

[Keri78]

I think the first post is very well said!!! I do confess that I placed an order that is do to arrive this Monday(I'm splitting it with a friend)...but that being said this is MY FIRST and LAST order of day old babies that I will ever place in the winter. It's just too risky and I realize that the hatcheries are willing to take the risk b/c they are still going to make money but it's all too much drama for me. We all know that newborn chicks need to be kept at 95degrees(round about) for best chance of survival...so if you must order from a hatchery then I would suggest doing it when you know the temps are going to be VERY warm(late spring early summer...you wouldn't want them too hot and over heat either!) I do give mypetchicken ALOT of credit for placing a heat pack in with their babies(to me this just makes sense!!! and I REALLY think that most people if given this option would pay the extra money for the heat pack to be added!) I think we should all band together and make our voices heard to the big hatcheries that this NEEDS to be an option!!!

Anyway, I'm VERY nervous about my babies coming this monday and hope for the best! Blessings, Keri

 

[redhen]

I have to agree with you Katy..
Wait until the weather is warmer...
espically for us folks here in New England areas....

 

[farmerlor]

The problem with this is that many times I've ordered chicks when it SHOULD be nice enough weather but having ordered weeks in advance to make sure I get the breeds I want, Mother Nature throws a wammy at me and sure enough there's a blizzard when the babies arrive. Luckily, I've only had a few losses in the hundreds of chicks I've ordered over the years regardless of weather thanks to the careful packing and body warmth of the full orders of babies. I also believe the babies travel much better this time of year than they do later when it can get overly warm for 25 babies packed in a box.

 

[CrazyMomOf2]

I'm getting my 30 chicks this coming week from MPC. I originally ordered from Ideal, but I was too worried about the chicks being shipped from TX to MA. I definitely feel better since now they won't be out long since they're only a few hours away, plus they'll have the heat pack.

On that note, will I order again? Probably not, since I'm so nervous about them arriving DOA!