lost 16 of 25 on shipping

[JerseyHen]

Why? I have been waiting for MONTHS. I feel like I doomed these little fuzzies to a cold and horrible death. I ordered from Welp (in IOWA) so they could make it to me in a day and Welp shipped them from a "supplier" in New Mexico! It is just not right. Poor little things. Looks like another 2 are in a bad way too. One won't even open her eyes, the other is wobbly, but eating and drinking. I am going to ask them for a refund instead of a reshipment. I don't think I could deal with the guilt of another box of little corpses. I expected a few, but geesh. This is not how I wanted to start out my first season as a chickie parent.

 

[scbatz33]

Sorry for your losses. Unfortunately MOST hatcheries drop ship from other locations. Maybe you could try one closer to home.

 

[JerseyHen]

Nothing near me in the east coast (maybe some of the Ohio hatcheries will be better). They don't offer a refund either. I will just remember to wait until later in the year next time, I guess. The ones that made it are real troopers. The barred rocks all made it (must be particularly cold hardy even as chicks).

 

[briteday]

Welp and Privett (New Mexico) are attached at the hip. Privett is where many of the birds are hatched so that is where they ship from.

 

[jadekat]

That's too bad about your shipment. I used to live in Bancroft, IA (when Welp's is) and my grandma lives there. I actually rented a storage unit from them for a short while. It seems strange that they would ship you some from a hatchery in New Mexico. Especially since New Mexico is farther away than Iowa.

 

[QualityPolish]

So sorry for your losses, it drives me insane when they ship from another hatchery, especially that far away! But, just keep trying your best with the little ones left. Maybe give them a little sugar water to give them more energy, thats what I usually do when my chicks first arrive if I had them shipped. Hope things work out for you.
QP

 

[countrychix]

Sorry for your losses. I would suggest checking out Myer's Poultry in South Fork, PA next time you order. I placed an order with them last summer and was very pleased with my birds. I am in WNY, so they were fairly close and I received my order 2 days after they were shipped. I only lost one of the 33 that I had ordered. They are very pleasant to deal with over the phone. I will be ordering from them again.

 

[SassyKat6181]

I had an order of pullets from Welp last September and was very pleased with them. They all arrived healthy and in great condition. They were shipped from Iowa, to me in Massachusetts. Sorry you had such a bad experience.

 

[onesweetfarm]

So sorry for your loss.

I am in New England and ordered from Meyer Hatchery in Ohio. The chicks arrived very active and healthy in less than 24 hours. I also bought some from a local farm. Good luck with your future flock.

 

[JerseyHen]

The wobbly one is now perky and running about. The sleepy one still hasn't opened its eyes and even though it will drink if propmted, it is not improving at all. I imagine she will be gone before tomorrow. I am not faulting Welp because we had bad weather, just that I wish I knew they were going to ship from NM. In hindsight, I suppose I should have asked. They now have information on their site about their "ship points". The birds that made it are all very robust and healthy looking though (so can't fault the quality of the birds) and their customer service has been outstanding. Not a pasty butt in the bunch and all eating and drinking. Next year I will be sure to only order from the closest hatcheries or use local breeders (better quality anyway) unless the weather is nice and warm. Thank you all for your support. I will post pics of the survivors in a day or so. I don't want to torment them with a photo shoot yet.