I made a HORRIBLE mistake ordering from a hatchery! (Graphic Photos)

[B_Chickle01]

Hello everyone.

I am just devastated at the events of the past 2-1/2 weeks that have seen two (2) orders for specialty Silkie hatchery chicks arrive dead or dying. Initially, I thought this was the fault of the USPS, but I've come to discover that this falls squarely on the hatchery, Valley Hatchery, and their shipping practices. For reasons I can't explain, they will only ship USPS Priority Mail, not Priority Mail EXPRESS, the latter guaranteeing quick and careful shipping. Worse, they don't even bother to put any notification on the container that there are "LIVE ANIMALS" in the box. WTH?

Valley Hatchery has locations in OH, MO, TN, CA and MT and can be found at www.valleyhatchery.com online. I've cried for days over this! Opening the box I had to retrieve at the local post office today was absolutely heartbreaking, sixteen (16) dead birds all because this hatchery couldn't be bothered with shipping EXPRESS, a service we requested several times after their 1st shipment of eighteen (18) birds saw only 6 survive (8 were dead in the box, 4 more died over the ensuing days), and the 6 survivors required near round-the-clock ICU-type care to make it.

As I write this, my husband is taking up the cause to try to get some rules/guidelines/laws changed regarding the shipping of live chicks. He's reaching out to the MO AG's office, the USPS Board of Governors in Washington, DC, our senators and representative, and more. No bird should have to suffer the way the birds in these two shipments suffered! What a horrible way to die!

I will never order hatchery chicks again, NEVER. We placed another order between these two horrific orders, and they were shipped twice the distance to our home as the Missouri orders, but they were shipped Priority EXPRESS, and they arrived in less than 2 days healthy and happy, but I still feel VERY guilty about subjecting the chicks to the trip from CA to NC. For that reason, I won't do it again; it's just not worth it.

If you're going to order chicks from a hatchery, be sure you get Priority Mail EXPRESS shipping. Without it, you'll likely get to suffer through the same scenes that we've had to endure... :-(

Spoiler: Graphic Photos

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That’s awful. I’m sorry you had to go through that. I can only imagine how traumatic it must have been to open a box containing that type of carnage, especially since it happened several times. Unbelievably, I believe many hatcheries do not offer express shipping due to the associated costs. However, I don't understand why this would be a problem for them, as they typically charge the customer for expedited delivery. You would think they would with living animals, especially with newborn chicks as delicate as they are!

 

[NatJ]

Unbelievably, I believe many hatcheries do not offer express shipping due to the associated costs. However, I don't understand why this would be a problem for them, as they typically charge the customer for expedited delivery. You would think they would with living animals, especially with newborn chicks as delicate as they are!

That has been addressed elsewhere in the thread:

Express shipping is useless for USPS. Many hatcheries that do offer Express as an option will add a note below the option that it often does not come any sooner. I stopped using Express for usps a couple of years back because every time I paid extra for express regardless of what I had ordered it actually took longer for it to arrive. Express packages would often be held for extended periods of time at the main USPS hub before it was taken to my local USPS.

And on the USPS website:
https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm

9.5 Priority Mail Express Postage and Fees Refunds
9.5.5 Refunds Not Given

Postage will not be refunded if the guaranteed service was not provided due to any of the following circumstances:

(...)
The shipment contained live animals or hazardous materials and was delivered, or delivery was attempted within 3 days of the date of mailing.

So even the weak USPS guarantee (refund some or all of postage) does not make them deliver Express mail chicks any faster than Priority Mail chicks.

It costs more, but has no expectation of chicks arriving any faster.

 

[Iluveggers]

Mt Healthy recently posted that they now have a truck & driver, and started driving their chicks to neighboring states once a week just to alleviate some of the issues usps is causing. Cheaper to do that and not have to replace or refund, also knowledge your chicks are being taken care of correctly. Wonder if we will see hatcheries setting up sub-stations in different regions so they can be closer to their customers across the country.

 

[countryladyNH]

I am so gutted. We have been members here since 2016 when we first got chicks. Over the years we have ordered chicks by mail many times. We ordered only 3 or 4. We ordered from a couple different hatcheries---Murray McMurray, Chickens for Backyards...They always came just fine. Never a dead chick. They always contained a heat pack and gel food. For the first time we placed an order for 3 chicks from Meyers. We ordered in Feb. 2025 for shipping date of June 2. Our order was shipped Monday, June 2, and arrived at our little PO yesterday. They called me as soon as they arrived and I picked them up immediately. (We live around the corner). I was very concerned the minute she brought the box out. There was no chirping and no movement. As soon as I got home and opened the box, sure enough the 3 little things were dead and stiff. They had only been shipped less than 24 hours earlier. It was obvious they had been dead for hours. The box was in perfect condition---no damage at all. I burst into tears. I called Meyers, and they are sending 3 new chicks next Monday, the 9th. They didn't have every breed we had ordered, but were very helpful in finding a substitute that would be just as nice. Here is my issue; They sent these chicks with NO heat pack and NO gel food. In all the years we ordered chicks elsewhere, they ALWAYS had these items in the box, and all arrived safely. It is chilly here in New Hampshire in the mornings still, but I have NO idea why these chicks didn't make it. When I called yesterday after picking up the dead chicks, they told me they do not need a heat pack, and that they do not put gel food in the box because "the chicks survive on their yolk sac for the trip". Now I am freaking because I am afraid the new chicks may arrive dead as well. Coming in ONE DAY, I see no reason why these first birds did not arrive alive. I had heard Meyers was very good, but I never had anyone else ship chicks with no food, etc. (IF this second shipment arrives dead, I want my money back and will order from some other hatchery). This has been emotional to go through because our chicks/hens have always been our 'buddies' and all have names etc. WARNING: Here is a photo of the birds taken as soon as we opened the box. We didn't touch anything. I am sorry for this long ramble. I am just sad and worried...Guess I am just hoping for some info and reassurance.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I am so gutted. We have been members here since 2016 when we first got chicks. Over the years we have ordered chicks by mail many times. We ordered only 3 or 4. We ordered from a couple different hatcheries---Murray McMurray, Chickens for Backyards...They always came just fine. Never a dead chick. They always contained a heat pack and gel food. For the first time we placed an order for 3 chicks from Meyers. We ordered in Feb. 2025 for shipping date of June 2. Our order was shipped Monday, June 2, and arrived at our little PO yesterday. They called me as soon as they arrived and I picked them up immediately. (We live around the corner). I was very concerned the minute she brought the box out. There was no chirping and no movement. As soon as I got home and opened the box, sure enough the 3 little things were dead and stiff. They had only been shipped less than 24 hours earlier. It was obvious they had been dead for hours. The box was in perfect condition---no damage at all. I burst into tears. I called Meyers, and they are sending 3 new chicks next Monday, the 9th. They didn't have every breed we had ordered, but were very helpful in finding a substitute that would be just as nice. Here is my issue; They sent these chicks with NO heat pack and NO gel food. In all the years we ordered chicks elsewhere, they ALWAYS had these items in the box, and all arrived safely. It is chilly here in New Hampshire in the mornings still, but I have NO idea why these chicks didn't make it. When I called yesterday after picking up the dead chicks, they told me they do not need a heat pack, and that they do not put gel food in the box because "the chicks survive on their yolk sac for the trip". Now I am freaking because I am afraid the new chicks may arrive dead as well. Coming in ONE DAY, I see no reason why these first birds did not arrive alive. I had heard Meyers was very good, but I never had anyone else ship chicks with no food, etc. (IF this second shipment arrives dead, I want my money back and will order from some other hatchery). This has been emotional to go through because our chicks/hens have always been our 'buddies' and all have names etc. WARNING: Here is a photo of the birds taken as soon as we opened the box. We didn't touch anything. I am sorry for this long ramble. I am just sad and worried...Guess I am just hoping for some info and reassurance.View attachment 4140567

Sorry for your loss. As I have stated in a couple of other threads, I am no longer ordering day old poultry through the mail. This after having 9 of 18 Blue Rosecomb chicks arrive DOA earlier this spring with 5 more dying within hours afterward. Fortunately, the remaining 4 (2 pullets and 2 cockerels are doing great at 8 weeks of age). Had a similar experience with turkey poults last year with 4 of 16 arriving DOA or succumbing soon after arrival.

I believe there are multiple factors involved with this with a primary one being poor handling practices in shipment by the USPS. But hatcheries shipping smaller quantities due to customer preference has also had a major impact as well. That practice led to the use of heat pads and gel sustenance for the fewer chicks / poults which I don't think really has much benefit. Back in the 1970's when I first began ordering chicks there were seasonal restrictions in place along with minimum order quantities of 25 and I never had a single chick arrive DOA. This continued into the 1980's and 1990's when ordering chicks.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I am so gutted. We have been members here since 2016 when we first got chicks. Over the years we have ordered chicks by mail many times. We ordered only 3 or 4. We ordered from a couple different hatcheries---Murray McMurray, Chickens for Backyards...They always came just fine. Never a dead chick. They always contained a heat pack and gel food. For the first time we placed an order for 3 chicks from Meyers. We ordered in Feb. 2025 for shipping date of June 2. Our order was shipped Monday, June 2, and arrived at our little PO yesterday. They called me as soon as they arrived and I picked them up immediately. (We live around the corner). I was very concerned the minute she brought the box out. There was no chirping and no movement. As soon as I got home and opened the box, sure enough the 3 little things were dead and stiff. They had only been shipped less than 24 hours earlier. It was obvious they had been dead for hours. The box was in perfect condition---no damage at all. I burst into tears. I called Meyers, and they are sending 3 new chicks next Monday, the 9th. They didn't have every breed we had ordered, but were very helpful in finding a substitute that would be just as nice. Here is my issue; They sent these chicks with NO heat pack and NO gel food. In all the years we ordered chicks elsewhere, they ALWAYS had these items in the box, and all arrived safely. It is chilly here in New Hampshire in the mornings still, but I have NO idea why these chicks didn't make it. When I called yesterday after picking up the dead chicks, they told me they do not need a heat pack, and that they do not put gel food in the box because "the chicks survive on their yolk sac for the trip". Now I am freaking because I am afraid the new chicks may arrive dead as well. Coming in ONE DAY, I see no reason why these first birds did not arrive alive. I had heard Meyers was very good, but I never had anyone else ship chicks with no food, etc. (IF this second shipment arrives dead, I want my money back and will order from some other hatchery). This has been emotional to go through because our chicks/hens have always been our 'buddies' and all have names etc. WARNING: Here is a photo of the birds taken as soon as we opened the box. We didn't touch anything. I am sorry for this long ramble. I am just sad and worried...Guess I am just hoping for some info and reassurance.View attachment 4140567

They don’t need food for the first 48 hours. Under a mama hen they won’t even eat until later than that sometimes. They do need heat and when ordering small numbers of chicks that is definitely an issue. You can tell by the way they are huddled together that they probably got chilled. Sorry for your loss

 

[Airyaman]

My very first attempt at chicken keeping earlier this year was an order from Meyer. Due to a winter storm (it was February), they had to cancel all shipments for the hatch day in question, so I just canceled the whole order.

Then I decided to go the Ebay hatching eggs route, which had it's own set of stressors. Biggest being, again, USPS. Almost every one of my orders took multiple more days to be delivered than expected, and the very last one more than a week (not a single hatched chick on that one). Prior to getting one delivery from an instate seller, my hatch rate was a dismal 23%.

But, knock on wood, of all of the chicks that made it through the first day (two did not, assisted hatches, had to be euthanized). So bad hatch rate, very good survival rate.

Due to my mix and wanting more hens of certain types, I decided to go the chick route to fill in the gaps of my future flock. I picked up four Bielefelder chicks last Friday and by Sunday, two had passed. No warning on one (it was fine in the morning, dead in the afternoon) and I tried to save the one when I saw it was struggling Sunday morning.

Now, I am gun shy about chicks from other sources. I had 6 chicks ordered from Greenfire but decided to cancel after losing 50% of the local chicks I picked up.

Just my own experience.

 

[countryladyNH]

They don’t need food for the first 48 hours. Under a mama hen they won’t even eat until later than that sometimes. They do need heat and when ordering small numbers of chicks that is definitely an issue. You can tell by the way they are huddled together that they probably got chilled. Sorry for your loss

When I called Meyer I asked if they wanted the photo and they said no. I emailed it anyway. That is just how we found them when opening box. I just wanted them to see for themselves.

 

[countryladyNH]

Sorry for your loss. As I have stated in a couple of other threads, I am no longer ordering day old poultry through the mail. This after having 9 of 18 Blue Rosecomb chicks arrive DOA earlier this spring with 5 more dying within hours afterward. Fortunately, the remaining 4 (2 pullets and 2 cockerels are doing great at 8 weeks of age). Had a similar experience with turkey poults last year with 4 of 16 arriving DOA or succumbing soon after arrival.

I believe there are multiple factors involved with this with a primary one being poor handling practices in shipment by the USPS. But hatcheries shipping smaller quantities due to customer preference has also had a major impact as well. That practice led to the use of heat pads and gel sustenance for the fewer chicks / poults which I don't think really has much benefit. Back in the 1970's when I first began ordering chicks there were seasonal restrictions in place along with minimum order quantities of 25 and I never had a single chick arrive DOA. This continued into the 1980's and 1990's when ordering chicks.

Sadly there are no hatcheries even remotely near us. Our local hardware stopped 'chick days' several years ago (I don't know why). Our only option is chick days at local Tractor Supply. We have heard nothing but horror stories about them. Hubby worked a second job part time there just briefly, and he was appalled. He specifically decided on his own to care for the chicks when they were there. Now, they are out of all chicks anyway. Ordering online is our only option. We can't order a lot of chicks. We have a yard (not a farm or acres), and certain coop space. We normally order the 3 minimum to add to our flock when some pass, keeping it at 8-9 hens max. REALLY hoping this new shipment from Meyer arrives with healthy chicks!

 

[Iluveggers]

Sadly there are no hatcheries even remotely near us. Our local hardware stopped 'chick days' several years ago (I don't know why). Our only option is chick days at local Tractor Supply. We have heard nothing but horror stories about them. Hubby worked a second job part time there just briefly, and he was appalled. He specifically decided on his own to care for the chicks when they were there. Now, they are out of all chicks anyway. Ordering online is our only option. We can't order a lot of chicks. We have a yard (not a farm or acres), and certain coop space. We normally order the 3 minimum to add to our flock when some pass, keeping it at 8-9 hens max. REALLY hoping this new shipment from Meyer arrives with healthy chicks!

I have an order of 40+ chicks coming in 2 weeks. We are only adding 8. I didn't want a small order, so I canvassed everyone I know who has chicks along w some people on craigslist, and we went in together on one big order. I figure the chicks are safer when there are that many in an order. If we lose a few, there should still be enough for everyone to get some. Hopefully this is enough to keep them safe this year.