How Far Would You Go?

[gimmie birdies]

I know someone in WA who drove to ID 6+ hrs from her to get eggs. I would not drive just for eggs, but I would and have combined reasons to go.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I was all set to make that 6 hr round trip, but they aren't allowing pick up orders this year! Grrr!

So in order to go what would be a 3 hr drive east, they have to go 2 hours north, take a 1 hr flight east, spend overnight in a warehouse and go another 1 hr east.

 

[coach723]

I'm within driving distance of Greenfire Farms and have never bought from them because they don't allow pick up either, only mail delivery. My post office service is so horrible that I just can't bring myself to ship chicks or birds. Particularly at some of the prices their birds go for. I have pretty strong doubts that I'd end up with live birds, especially chicks. I've had mail lost for 3 weeks, I don't think the PO would care what was in the box no matter what it was labeled. With all the issues with Covid everything is even worse. My local office is not the issue, it's the distribution centers they go through to get there. So I'm limited to what I can find locally and hatching mixes from what I have. They all lay eggs, so it's fine. But I do have a dream list of birds I'd love to have someday.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm within driving distance of Greenfire Farms and have never bought from them because they don't allow pick up either, only mail delivery. My post office service is so horrible that I just can't bring myself to ship chicks or birds. Particularly at some of the prices their birds go for. I have pretty strong doubts that I'd end up with live birds, especially chicks. I've had mail lost for 3 weeks, I don't think the PO would care what was in the box no matter what it was labeled. With all the issues with Covid everything is even worse. My local office is not the issue, it's the distribution centers they go through to get there. So I'm limited to what I can find locally and hatching mixes from what I have. They all lay eggs, so it's fine. But I do have a dream list of birds I'd love to have someday.

Luckily, the distribution center isn't too far from here. I will call my post office and ask about picking them up from the distribution center. Our USPS isn't THAT bad. I wouldn't order for shipping if I could help it (had a BAD experience with MPC shipment - so sad). But all the local sources aren't selling or have huge limits. I can't have 10 ducks (I wouldn't mind, but my current set up won't allow for it). Plus I like to get a few new birds each year.

I was planning on getting chicks, too, but I may not after all, unless I decide to go into the valley and get some. Otherwise, I may just get TSC or Simply Country chicks, if they have any breeds I like. Now that I have BYC, I know what to look for. So if TSC tries to tell me, for example, I'm buying a Jersey and the chick is solid black, I know better! And I CAN have roosters here. I have one now. I don't really want another, but if there is an "oops," it's not the end of the world.

I am so disappointed.... I hope all turns out well. At least the plane ride is only an hour, and ducklings are more cold-tolerant than chicks.