you shouldnt order in the middle of summer either... thats why most ordering is done in the spring.
Consumer responsibilty when ordering chicks
- Thread starter Katy
- Start date
Quote:
This was not my experience. I am a 4-H leader and either I order chicks for kids or before I became a leader, another leader did it. They ordered from Murray McMurray, always arrived in 2 days. I have ordered from Ideal, Cackle, Meyer and Marti's, all arrived in 1 or 2 days EXCEPT Meyer and they are only 1 state away, less than 6 hours drive! They took 3 days to arrive! When I questioned the P.O. about it, several people in fact, I was told the chicks were sent by truck, because they were so close and could only go on certain trucks, so they sat at several destinations for hours or days. While the other orders coming from many states away were put on planes and flown into Detroit, then trucked to my local P.O. and arrived much quicker!
Maybe it depends on your location, but this has been my experience after ordering every year for the past 10 or so years. I also agree, it would be better to wait on the weather to be milder, BUT, for some of us, that is not possible. Our fair is very early, either the first or second week of July, so our chicks must come very early in order to be fully feathered and competitive.
Now, I would rather they would all get their birds from breeders and such, but, not all can afford the higher prices, some can't keep their birds all year, so they don't want to put a lot of money into them only to see them at the auction for much less than their worth if they came from a breeder. Many want to try something new every year, something rare and try as I might, I can't aways find a breeder of that breed for them, even on here, so we order.
This was not my experience. I am a 4-H leader and either I order chicks for kids or before I became a leader, another leader did it. They ordered from Murray McMurray, always arrived in 2 days. I have ordered from Ideal, Cackle, Meyer and Marti's, all arrived in 1 or 2 days EXCEPT Meyer and they are only 1 state away, less than 6 hours drive! They took 3 days to arrive! When I questioned the P.O. about it, several people in fact, I was told the chicks were sent by truck, because they were so close and could only go on certain trucks, so they sat at several destinations for hours or days. While the other orders coming from many states away were put on planes and flown into Detroit, then trucked to my local P.O. and arrived much quicker!
Maybe it depends on your location, but this has been my experience after ordering every year for the past 10 or so years. I also agree, it would be better to wait on the weather to be milder, BUT, for some of us, that is not possible. Our fair is very early, either the first or second week of July, so our chicks must come very early in order to be fully feathered and competitive.
Now, I would rather they would all get their birds from breeders and such, but, not all can afford the higher prices, some can't keep their birds all year, so they don't want to put a lot of money into them only to see them at the auction for much less than their worth if they came from a breeder. Many want to try something new every year, something rare and try as I might, I can't aways find a breeder of that breed for them, even on here, so we order.
I order chicks anytime--except the dead of winter. It's just too early. You can order them now for delivery in April or May. I've ordered from hatcheries for years and never had more than 1 or 2 dead chicks in a batch. I understand the urge for fluffybutts NOW, but a little patience can make all the difference.
ok, so the consumer does have to take some resopnsibility.............like not leaving them at a post office all day long if it can be avoided.............and making sure you do NOT order from a hatchery that ships priority mail! priority maill is 3-5 days people, what happens to birds in transit longer than 72 hours?.................they die. and priority mail can take up to 5 days! its just too long.
but i have ordered chicks in every season, including winter, from all over the map,and if they are packaged correctly, and shipped NOT PRIORITY MAIL , they are fine.
so check out how they are shipped, but the hatchery really needs good shipping practices like not shipping over hollidays, and some will try it. so it is the hatcheries responsibility to get them to you alive, so pick one that will actually try to do that.
but i have ordered chicks in every season, including winter, from all over the map,and if they are packaged correctly, and shipped NOT PRIORITY MAIL , they are fine.
so check out how they are shipped, but the hatchery really needs good shipping practices like not shipping over hollidays, and some will try it. so it is the hatcheries responsibility to get them to you alive, so pick one that will actually try to do that.
Quote:
All hatcheries I have ordered from ship priority mail, which hatcheries have you used that don't?
All hatcheries I have ordered from ship priority mail, which hatcheries have you used that don't?
- Jan 27, 2009
- 93
- 2
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When the chicks arive what is the first thang you shoud do besides see if they are alive
Aww Man....I just ordered 27 chicks from McMurray to come the second week in March....it's been so mild here though. Hopefully they will be ok...
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Once you get your chicks home, put them in your pre-warmed brooder one at a time, dipping their beak into their water as you do, so they know where to find it. I usually offer them some sugar water at first to give them a boost.
Once you get your chicks home, put them in your pre-warmed brooder one at a time, dipping their beak into their water as you do, so they know where to find it. I usually offer them some sugar water at first to give them a boost.
Quote:
This was not my experience. I am a 4-H leader and either I order chicks for kids or before I became a leader, another leader did it. They ordered from Murray McMurray, always arrived in 2 days. I have ordered from Ideal, Cackle, Meyer and Marti's, all arrived in 1 or 2 days EXCEPT Meyer and they are only 1 state away, less than 6 hours drive! They took 3 days to arrive! When I questioned the P.O. about it, several people in fact, I was told the chicks were sent by truck, because they were so close and could only go on certain trucks, so they sat at several destinations for hours or days. While the other orders coming from many states away were put on planes and flown into Detroit, then trucked to my local P.O. and arrived much quicker!
Maybe it depends on your location, but this has been my experience after ordering every year for the past 10 or so years. I also agree, it would be better to wait on the weather to be milder, BUT, for some of us, that is not possible. Our fair is very early, either the first or second week of July, so our chicks must come very early in order to be fully feathered and competitive.
Now, I would rather they would all get their birds from breeders and such, but, not all can afford the higher prices, some can't keep their birds all year, so they don't want to put a lot of money into them only to see them at the auction for much less than their worth if they came from a breeder. Many want to try something new every year, something rare and try as I might, I can't aways find a breeder of that breed for them, even on here, so we order.
Interesting viewpoint, Vicki.
Another thing to consider - don't plan on getting your brooder set up & ready the night before your chicks arrive. I can't tell you how many times I've read about folks who get their chicks a day or two...or MORE....early, and they then have to rush home & rush to get everything in order. Have your brooder set up at least a week early.
This was not my experience. I am a 4-H leader and either I order chicks for kids or before I became a leader, another leader did it. They ordered from Murray McMurray, always arrived in 2 days. I have ordered from Ideal, Cackle, Meyer and Marti's, all arrived in 1 or 2 days EXCEPT Meyer and they are only 1 state away, less than 6 hours drive! They took 3 days to arrive! When I questioned the P.O. about it, several people in fact, I was told the chicks were sent by truck, because they were so close and could only go on certain trucks, so they sat at several destinations for hours or days. While the other orders coming from many states away were put on planes and flown into Detroit, then trucked to my local P.O. and arrived much quicker!
Maybe it depends on your location, but this has been my experience after ordering every year for the past 10 or so years. I also agree, it would be better to wait on the weather to be milder, BUT, for some of us, that is not possible. Our fair is very early, either the first or second week of July, so our chicks must come very early in order to be fully feathered and competitive.
Now, I would rather they would all get their birds from breeders and such, but, not all can afford the higher prices, some can't keep their birds all year, so they don't want to put a lot of money into them only to see them at the auction for much less than their worth if they came from a breeder. Many want to try something new every year, something rare and try as I might, I can't aways find a breeder of that breed for them, even on here, so we order.
Interesting viewpoint, Vicki.
Another thing to consider - don't plan on getting your brooder set up & ready the night before your chicks arrive. I can't tell you how many times I've read about folks who get their chicks a day or two...or MORE....early, and they then have to rush home & rush to get everything in order. Have your brooder set up at least a week early.
I'm picking my day-old chicks up at the hatchery, March 15: road trip. Not willing to put any faith in the postal service.
Question for anyone.......I bought "gro-gel" from Meyer Hatchery....I have no clue what it's for. Is this their food for a few days until their guts develop further? I also bought vitamins to be placed in their water.....is that not a good idea, just water alone for the first few days instead?
I also bought Storey's guide to raising chicks from Amazon.com
I should receive the book well before the chicks. hahaha
Question for anyone.......I bought "gro-gel" from Meyer Hatchery....I have no clue what it's for. Is this their food for a few days until their guts develop further? I also bought vitamins to be placed in their water.....is that not a good idea, just water alone for the first few days instead?
I also bought Storey's guide to raising chicks from Amazon.com
I should receive the book well before the chicks. hahaha
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