How to pack chicks for a first time shipper?

[Goronson Chicks]

We would like to mail some of our chicks out to a family member in about a week. As I’ve never shipped before, I’m nervous.

I have 4 chicks that will be 3 weeks old at the point of shipping and 1 that will be 10 days old. I still have a box that I received 8 chicks in. Thought of either using that or getting a cat shipping box from the pet store and shipping them from here 2-day express.

Any advice on keeping them warm and what to put into the box with them? Or should I be waiting until they are at least a month old before shipping them?

Thank you for any insights you have to offer.

 

[realsis]

Put nest material and perhaps a apple slice or two for hydration and maybe sprinkle food about for the trip. My fear would be dehydration being they are older and used to drinking water. I would try to think of ways to keep them hydrated during shipping.

 

[Goronson Chicks]

Put nest material and perhaps a apple slice or two for hydration and maybe sprinkle food about for the trip. My fear would be dehydration being they are older and used to drinking water. I would try to think of ways to keep them hydrated during shipping.

I planned to put orange slices in with them to give some fluid. Yes, dehydration was my fear, too.

Have you found a shipping method that is safer than others? I'm planning on going USPS. Someone else said not to mark the box "live chicks" because it draws unwanted attention.

 

[keesmom]

You can only send them through the USPS. They must go Express. That does not necessarily mean overnight, depending on origin and destination. You may also need an approved shipping container such as Horizon http://www.hm-e.net/

You should talk to your local PO first about the regulations, then you may also want to get shipping estimates.

 

[keesmom]

Here are the regulations for shipping all poultry over a day old. Express only. The approved, secure containers will be a Horizon box or something similar with filters. Are the ones you plan to send over 6 oz in weight?

Adult birds are mailable as follows:

a. The mailer must send adult birds by Priority Mail Express in approved, secure containers.

b. The number of birds per parcel must follow the container manufacturer limits and each bird must weigh more than 6 ounces.

c. A mailing container must be used that is constructed by a USPS-approved manufacturer.

d. Indemnity may be paid only for articles that are lost, damaged, or missing contents, and not for death of the birds in transit if there is no visible damage to the mailing container.

e. Postage refunds may not be available if the Priority Mail Express shipment was delivered or delivery was attempted within three days of the date of mailing as shown in the “Date In” box on Label 11.

 

[Goronson Chicks]

Thanks so much for this detailed information. Where do you order the Horizon containers?

 

[keesmom]

You will have to search around for the best price on one. Jedd's in CA, ebay, and you can also check the Everything Else forum in the for sale section. There are also similar ones like Boxes for Birds. A while ago someone found a great price on them, I will see if I can remember where that was.

You will definitely want to send them Mon-Wed. Since you are also in the northeast, when you send them there is a good chance Fedex will actually handle the shipping between the 2 USPS sorting facilities. They aren't supposed to bump live shipments on those 3 days but it has happened. How far are they going?

As for food I've used apple slices or even canned corn.

 

[Goronson Chicks]

You will have to search around for the best price on one. Jedd's in CA, ebay, and you can also check the Everything Else forum in the for sale section. There are also similar ones like Boxes for Birds. A while ago someone found a great price on them, I will see if I can remember where that was.

You will definitely want to send them Mon-Wed. Since you are also in the northeast, when you send them there is a good chance Fedex will actually handle the shipping between the 2 USPS sorting facilities. They aren't supposed to bump live shipments on those 3 days but it has happened. How far are they going?

As for food I've used apple slices or even canned corn.

They are going from Maine to Illinois and I planned to ship on a Monday at @ 6 weeks of age. Yes, please let me know if you remember the source for a good price on the boxes.
Thank you