I have ordered from Ideal several years ago and received all live, healthy chicks. I have recently moved to Arkansas and have had 2 horrible experiences with ordering chicks. The first hatchery was in Iowa; the post office dropped the ball on that one - all 40 dead on arrival (after SIX days in the mail) Found out they have a problem with transferring in Memphis. So I ordered 50 cornish X from Ideal; they arrived in 2 days, 6 dead on arrival, 6 more dying and dead by evening. I called Ideal and they are sending 12 replacements next week. My opinion is that the problem is the postal service, not the hatcheries. No animal can live for 6 days, and 2 1/2 days in the mail when the weather has been in the 90's is pushing it. The remaining 38 chicks are so far thriving. I would definately recommend Ideal; good customer service, fair prices and exellent selection.