How does the shipping work with chicks?

[maratila]

I just ordered the Top Hat special from Mcmurray hatchery, but I didn't see anything explaining how to get them.

From what I understand, I'll be getting them on the 31??? Or is it totally random and just means this week??? Also, do I just go and pick them up at the ups store or will they call me? How do I know which ups the chicks are getting sent to?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Kevin565]

I only buy local so I'm not sure but

 

[americanvalkyrie]

The post office or UPS store should have your number from the hatchery, and will call you when the chicks are ready to be picked up. The hatchery tries to time the shipments so they won't arrive on a weekend or day when your postal service will be closed. And they guarantee the shipment, if they made the mistake and the chicks end up staying at the depot and perishing. It will not be random. It will be that exact day, probably in the morning. And I don't know about UPS, but the U.S. Postal Service is used to dealing with live orders and handles them very well. Of all my friends who have had chicks shipped, I had one duckling that didn't survive. That was out of at least 70 babies, 5 different shipments.

It won't hurt to call your post office or UPS store and let them know you're expecting a live package, and give them your number.

 

[maratila]

Thanks for the quick replies, and I meant the US post office, oops.

Also, how do I know which post office to call? And I live in sort of an... urban area, and I'm not sure how the post office will handle the idea of me saying, "Chicks are on the way!" Ha ha

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Call your main office. Everything will go through them, anyway. They will either keep the chicks there or relay the information to whoever gets them.

Honestly, they're used to it. You might get an employee that isn't, but chicks have been shipped through the postal service for decades, so there are protocols in place.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

When your babies arrive, can you post pics on this thread? My husband wants polish, but we've just ordered from Ideal so far, and they just do straight run. I can't have roosters, so we didn't want to spend the money on a 50/50 chance.

 

[maratila]

Awesome then. So, what will the chicks be in? How big is the container? Is it like a cardboard box? I've only shipped two animals and my life: dogs and snakes (no, the chicks are not for the snakes).

 

[maratila]

Sure, I can definitely post pictures! Polish are my personal favorite breed that I've been dying to get for years. These are going to be my first chicks (that I actually own).

Also, I know your worry. I'm praying that these chicks are going to be mainly hens. My neighbors would shoot me multiple times if I had a rooster loudly screaming every hour. I'm going to have to sell my rooster chicks (found a local feeder store who would buy them from me), or PERHAPS keep one... I highly doubt it though.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

It's a cardboard box with holes cut into it and bedding in the bottom. It will be very evident that it's a live shipment, with warnings all over it, and peeping coming from inside. They pack a pretty small box, pretty full, so the chicks can use each other for warmth. If you ordered 25 or fewer, the box will be about 8"x12", about 6" high. (Just estimates here.) It will probably be commercially banded to keep the top on.

 

[donrae]

And when you go to the post office to pick them up, the workers will be thrilled cause they're SO noisy!