I sold some chickens HELP - some died! Best way to package when sold?

[shay20]

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That is good for you.

 

[maf2008]

I do feel bad.....this is a learning experience and I learned my lesson! I did get a large dog crate (big enough fro a German Shepherd) and will use this for my preview pen... also I picked up some strong tomato box crates that are free with breathing holes and a strong top. I will never use the flimsey boxes that customers bring! So I will be ready for the next group. yesterday I sold 8 more layers and packing went a lot smoother..... they had a wire dog cage in thier truck. I will get better at this over time. But we all make mistakes. My mistake was to use a flimsy box and a weak lid from a customer in mid day heat. Won't happen again EVER!
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I hate to be rude, but are you nuts??? How would you like to be wrapped in plastic and stuffed into a box for transport in this Texas heat? You'd croak too! If they don't have something adequate to transport the chickens in, then don't sell them! Simple as that.

And chasing them around is crazy too. Pluck a bunch off the roost early in the morning, before sunup, and put them in a smaller area so they can be caught more easily. I have a 6x10 dog kennel that I use as a "preview" pen. Then they can pick the ones they want.

My buyers also have to arrive before 9 in the morning or after 7 in the evening. Being out in the midday heat isn't good for humans either.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[maf2008]

To everyone.... I feel sooooo bad.

I made mistakes and now have a "preview pen" ( large wire dog pen will be in the shade) and strong heavy duty "tomato boxes with holes" No more banding the feet.

People that want chickens are NEVER allowed into the pen for
bio security reasons as most of them already have chickens.

The customer provided the flimesy box and I was too pre occupied with catching chickens to notice. But NOW I have learned and with will not happen again.

I am struggleing with forgiving myself for such a stupid

and costly mistake. But all of us are learning every day. Now I know better.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Dont beat yourself up. We all make mistakes and when you learn from them, they become a lesson, not a mistake.

You, your birds and your customers are all better off for the work that you have done and the changes that you have made to your sales plan.

I'm very glad that you took everyone's input and put it to use in a way that works for you and your birds.

Congrats on your success!

 

[shay20]

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Dont be too hard on your self. Every one makes mistakes. And every one learns something new everyday, no matter how smart any one is, that person can still make a mistake.
You learn and live.

 

[English Chick]

... you live and learn, that's what life is all about.

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

After reading these post..I thought I would add....

This past Spring I attended an Amish auction that had hundreds of poultry..being a frugal group, some of the birds were crated in Tomatoe boxes that had a large section removed from the top..maybe 6in by 8in.and wire attached to it with zip ties..this seemed to work great..as there was different types of wire used I would say it was probably scrap.

In fact we purchased some chicks that were in a box with wire on both sides..this was not a tomatoe box but taller..maybe an oil box..it was a heavier cardboard that supported weight. This might be a little work for you but better that losing the birds..

 

[FLWB039]

If you could get scrap wood or pallets you could build something easy.