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

[aart]

Oops.

 

[Kiki]

So according to google I am a liar. I say bad guestimator on distances!
View attachment 1253515
USPS tracking shows Tyler area to Coppell(DFW airport?)to San Antonio to McAllen then to San Benito(which is close)

I didn't realize you were that far south.

 

[Kiki]

Well "Houdini" made a run for it tonight at sundown. I had left the door open to his crate as he has a healthy appetite and combs/wattles are very much brighter today. The door had been open for several hours but as the sun was setting he decided it was time to find a good roost.

Not really expecting to see that skittish bird again, so RIP Houdini. I'm thinking if I want a roo I'll need to start with incubated ones.

----edit----

Our plan was to roost him tonight with the rest of the flock as we suspect no illnesses.

OH NO!!!!

 

[Kiki]

Allen..did he come home?

 

[AllenK RGV]

Allen..did he come home?

No not at this time. I'm not too worried though as there are so many chicken keepers around here I'm confident he will find a property he likes. For my wife and I this is the end of the line for rooster keeping for us. He was just an expensive lesson.

 

[Diannastarr]

Ok heading off to TSC tomorrow for supplies. Please share how you would prepare for receiving a 48 hour boxed up and shipped across Texas chicken? Any recommendations for my shopping list?

My plan:
1)isolate until I am positive on his status;
2)Electrolytes in his water;
3)He will be a solo roo and 2 months in age behind my hens.


The seller is highly confident that shipping is highly reliable as I had offered to make the 10 hour drive each way if that was a better option.

this one thing that is the best..! its called gro gel, but i would watch out for the Electrolytes they sell in the feed store they are mostly salt, so be very careful with that, but this other stuff will save a chicks life, its called gro gel B , here is what i found about it,
GroGel Plus B Pharmaceuticals › Nutritional Supplements
Rating: 99% - ‎30 reviews
A hatchling supplement and attractant for day-old poultry. GroGel™ Plus B is a hatchling supplement and attractant for day-old poultry. When mixed with water, the dry powder forms a shiny, bright green, jeool like gel that attracts the attention of all species of poultry. answer to the never-ending problem of dehydration After mixing with water, it forms a green, shiny, high-moisture gel that's packed with protein, energy, vitamins and probiotics, check it out on line , i got some pretty quick on e bay . GOOD LUCK

 

[AllenK RGV]

No not at this time. I'm not too worried though as there are so many chicken keepers around here I'm confident he will find a property he likes. For my wife and I this is the end of the line for rooster keeping for us. He was just an expensive lesson.

I wanted to reiterate the actual lesson, handling chicken is best done after dark when they are sleeping and defenceses are down!

 

[aart]

I wanted to reiterate the actual lesson, handling chicken is best done after dark when they are sleeping and defenceses are down!

Indeed.... as is keeping new birds confined until they are 'homed' to new location.

 

[rebrascora]

I wanted to reiterate the actual lesson, handling chicken is best done after dark when they are sleeping and defenceses are down!

This is so very true.
Sad that you didn't recover him but I think you have come to a wise decision to hold off on getting another for now.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Indeed.... as is keeping new birds confined until they are 'homed' to new location.

@aart I honestly do not believe this bird would have ever imprinted on us. He was so skittish and never imprinted on humans to begin with. It is why I believed the best course of action was to place him with the flock. Every time I would redo his food/water he would flog himself into the back corner of the dog crate. I refuse to feel guilty about failing here. I know that wasn't your intent "to make me feel guilty" and am most certainly not leveling blame your way I just feel in my heart he was never going to work out.

Edit--- Also it is so heartbreaking to see a chicken in chicken prison, I'll stick to hatching them out or raising day olds as that seems to be my current skill set!