How would you prepare to receive a 4 moth old after 48 hours shipping?

[Kusanar]

I am very comfortable with the source breeder. I just worry that he didn't come from a NPIP large hatchery so he never would have received a Mareks vaccine.

Only time will tell if he became my second biggest chicken keeping mistake(#1 was ordering a straight run to start a flock).

From what I have seen/heard, Mareks vaccine doesn't do much, it does not keep the bird from getting the disease OR from spreading it once it has it. What it DOES do is mask the symptoms and allow the bird to live much longer with the disease than would naturally happen and so they can actually spread the disease further than if they just dropped dead fairly quickly after catching it. From everything I have read, I wouldn't purchase a vaccinated bird if I had the choice because I would rather they die than live and spread the disease for years. My personal opinion.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Hmm I just assumed they worked similar to how they work in other livestock. Thanks for sharing this I will definately keep my eyes open for coraborating evidence.

 

[aart]

Is this even close to reality?
Color's probably way off.

 

[Kusanar]

Hmm I just assumed they worked similar to how they work in other livestock. Thanks for sharing this I will definately keep my eyes open for coraborating evidence.

It's just that one vaccine. The others work normally but the Maereks one just keeps them from getting the tumors and dying, doesn't keep them from getting and spreading.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Is this even close to reality?
Color's probably way off.
View attachment 1253466

Yep pretty close, even looks like my photo I'll better be able to assess his true condition in 48 or so hours once he has settled in and he has figured out his food and water situation. The comb at 4 months I don't expect to fully inflate until 1.5 months from now. Same for a full facial feathering out, but the lack of red anywhere on this birds face is so encouraging.

He arrived with clear watery stools which I am keeping an eye on but assuming he may have been force feed either water or a gro-gel mix prior to shipping.

Also I am thinking he is around 3.5 months not 4 months due to his feathering.

 

[WVduckchick]

He's adorable!

 

[AllenK RGV]

He's adorable!

I think we will enjoy him, the photo doesnt do him justice but I only took the one and I don't wan't him stressed for the next 48 hours. His tail angle in that picture is incredibly high and his comb hasn't developed. Nor have his tail sickles but his coloration is absolutely appropriate and doesn't show blue irridescence indicating nutritional stressors.

It is very hard for me not to wan't to investigate this guy further, but my inner doctor says leave him in peace until he has recovered from the stress of shipping!

 

[WVduckchick]

I think we will enjoy him, the photo doesnt do him justice but I only took the one and I don't wan't him stressed for the next 48 hours. His tail angle in that picture is incredibly high and his comb hasn't developed. Nor have his tail sickles but his coloration is absolutely appropriate and doesn't show blue irridescence indicating nutritional stressors.

It is very hard for me not to wan't to investigate this guy further, but my inner doctor says leave him in peace until he has recovered from the stress of shipping!

Yep, I don't blame you. Rest will probably be beneficial for him for a little while.

Since you said all the way across Texas, was the shipping only guaranteed 2-day? Mine from WV to NY was 1-day. After I posted here earlier, I filed my claim. Received PayPal notice within minutes that my refund had been received. I'm still in shock that I got it so quickly.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yep, I don't blame you. Rest will probably be beneficial for him for a little while.

Since you said all the way across Texas, was the shipping only guaranteed 2-day? Mine from WV to NY was 1-day. After I posted here earlier, I filed my claim. Received PayPal notice within minutes that my refund had been received. I'm still in shock that I got it so quickly.

yes paypal has amazed me the one time I used their dispute resolution service. I had an old unused ebay account that was apparently leaked that was linked to it. Ebay also was fast as heck, the credit card company too! I was getting text messages and email from everyone.
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And yes 2 day was the priority mail service but the seller is 7-800 miles away!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yep, I don't blame you. Rest will probably be beneficial for him for a little while.

Since you said all the way across Texas, was the shipping only guaranteed 2-day? Mine from WV to NY was 1-day. After I posted here earlier, I filed my claim. Received PayPal notice within minutes that my refund had been received. I'm still in shock that I got it so quickly.

So according to google I am a liar. I say bad guestimator on distances!

USPS tracking shows Tyler area to Coppell(DFW airport?)to San Antonio to McAllen then to San Benito(which is close)