Is this story going to have a sad ending?

[RedMoxie]

We had our first order of 15 baby chicks shipped out this week on Tuesday. We have a 3yo and a 6yo who have really invested in the idea, helped with the brooder set up, picked out breeds...etc.

Welp, its Thurs and the mail has come and gone. The tracking info says they are "in transit" with no more info. We've been in contact with our local post office and they say that the chicks haven't even made it to the regional center yet, so they will potentially not be deliverable tomorrow either (takes a day to get from regional to local, and that clock hasn't started yet). Temps are dropping tonight into single digits (we live in Maryland).

I have no idea why the hatchery shipped general priority and not priority express--they have been very non-plussed about the whole thing and argued that they send priority because there is "no difference between priority and priority express when it comes to live animals." Our post-master said different, but I'm new to this so I'm trying to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

I just feel a sinking feeling now. Is there any chance we end up with live chicks tomorrow, or do I need to start re-directing the kids questions and prepping for a bad ending?

 

[Chickassan]

Ok,15 chicks packed together will make a decent amount of heat plus hopefully they added heat packs. You're good on food for 48 hours so you're going to be cutting it really close there. I'm wishing the best for you,but even with an ideal delivery you still may lose a few. My advice is when the chicks do arrive no matter the situation open the box away from the kids just in case,it's always a good practice. Crossing my fingers for you.

 

[bluebird]

Thanks for joining!

 

[bluebird]

 

[RedMoxie]

Thanks for joining!

Thank you!

I've been a long-time lurker, but finally had something to ask of my own.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us
As @Chickassan suggested it's going to be close. Just for curiosity, which hatchery did you use? Do you have supplements for their arrival? Good quality chick starter? Also is your brooder setup and warmed up?

Sorry for all the questions, but you're going to be in a race against time and want to be sure all bases are covered.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck.

 

[RedMoxie]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us
As @Chickassan suggested it's going to be close. Just for curiosity, which hatchery did you use? Do you have supplements for their arrival? Good quality chick starter? Also is your brooder setup and warmed up?

Sorry for all the questions, but you're going to be in a race against time and want to be sure all bases are covered.

Hi--all great questions. We do have the brooder set up and warm and ready to go. We have electrolytes and chick starter, but are there other supplements we might want?

We went through Meyer Hatchery. They seemed to have generally good feedback on this forum, but I'm having to manage some serious frustration/disappointment right now.

Anything else we should have at the ready for our chicken-triage-and-shock-trauma center?

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your chicks will arrive soon and alive. It's so worrying when they are travelling. I'd keep some of this handy, if you can get some, Sav-A-Chick® Probiotic Supplement | Sav-A-Caf. And the brooder ready with heat, water, food. Good luck and fingers crossed!

 

[Blooie]

Mine came two days late once....and when I went to the post office to pick them up early in the morning it was something like -17, if I remember correctly. All but one made it just fine, although they were thirsty and hungry. If you don't already have any, I would recommend a quick trip to your local feed store for a bottle of Nutri-drench. When administered to newly arrived or stressed chicks, it's a quick boost that they desperately need. It goes directly into the blood stream, not needing to be digested, and I have found more than once it's made the difference between a chick rallying or being lost. Sugar water will also work in a pinch. When you give either, don't pry the little beak open and try to just squirt it down - it could be aspirated and you might lose a chick you otherwise could have saved, not to mention that it all won't go in, and believe me, Nutridrench is MESSY!

What I learned to do was put a little on a saucer or in a bottle cap, then dip a Q-tip into it until it's absorbed pretty well. Then you can open his beak or wait for him to make a peep, and place the Q-tip so he's kinda "chewing" on it. That way you can give just a little bit at a time, make sure that at least some of it goes into him, and avoid the brown yuck being too spread out on him and your counter top! I wish you all the best with your new chicks!