Disclaimer: I have no experience with shipping live chicks, however, I do have lots of experience with problems with the post office in general so I can give you some ideas for future shipments.
Post Office problems seem to vary between Post Offices and the individual person doing your route. I went in to complain about repeated problems (you need to talk to the Postmaster-not just one of the window staff). I had horrible mis-delivery problems and was told that they had many complaints on my specific route. That tells me that individual carriers can be bad and that your delivery person may be a less than stellar employee. Glad you got some info from him--I would have been inclined to get a photo of him too, just because. I had to go down three times and talk to the Postmaster but finally the problem seems to have gotten better (new carrier).
With regard to future problems:
1) See if the hatchery would be willing to add a delivery confirmation to your package. I think its under a dollar to do that and it gives you the ability to track your package remotely. I had this on hatching eggs and found it to be really useful. I also found that even though the shipper put 'hold at PO' and my phone number on the package I was not called, but they also hadn't finishe sorting. I also did not receive on-going email alerts, just an email after I picked up my package. I could see that the package had arrived at the PO and went down in the morning while they were still sorting and I got it right then and there.
2)If you cant get a delivery confirmation, put all your mail on vacation hold (choose 'I will pick up my mail when I get back') when the hatchery ships. That way you know that it will be held at the PO and not put on the truck. They may store packages in a different area than the letters so if they say its not there, have them look harder.
3)If you dont want to do the hold mail thing, then go down to the PO in the morning. At mine, the carriers are sorting the mail for delivery until 11am to 12pm--ask them the protocol/timing at your PO. You could go when they ship and ask to speak to your carrier in person or have them put a note on your box that explains you are getting live chicks and would appreciate their help... Be super nice to them since you are asking them to go out of their way.
Just a couple of ideas for you. I really empathize with you and would be very livid if this happend to me! Go get 'um and keep us posted.
