Mail Order chicks arrive - almost all are dead! Help!

[ShaggysGirl]

sorry for your loss
I used cackle and all 16 arrived is great shape and on time.

 

[Mahonri]

I haven't read the rest of the responses, but I would tell Ideal when they replace the chicks that the post office killed, have the PO call you when they get there and tell them to keep them inside and YOU will pick them up.

Sorry for your loss, I hate stories like this.

 

[TexasVet]

I hate stories like this too, which is why I always order from the CLOSEST hatchery during extreme heat and cold. Luckily, I'm close to Ideal and all my chicks have arrived in good condition.

But you can't always blame it on the Post Office. They told me last week that another person (who I know) was called at 6:30 a.m. and asked to pick up her birds. She didn't show until 1:00 in the afternoon! Another person ordered ducks and geese, but then wasn't home to take their call. Said they called off and on all day long, then gave the birds away because they'd die if left at the post office over the weekend. (They have MY number now, so I'm hoping another idiot orders birds and then doesn't bother to pick 'em up!)

If you need a list of hatcheries, check my website. I've got tons of them listed by state, so you can find someplace local.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[verlaj]

I lost several in my first ever Ideal shipment, which made me very sad and reluctant to mail order any chicks ever again. However, Ideal shipped replacements for all I lost and these arrived in good shape - no losses.

 

[texasbartrambaby]

I am so, so sorry about your loss.

I just received four pullets, leghorns and red stars, from McMurray. They were fine.

Do not worry about the rude poster on here -- do we not put them under 100 degree heat lamps or I am just the only one?

Live animals are not allowed to ride in the back of mail trucks during the summer heat, most of the employees do pull them up front and they are taken to the mail room where its air conditioned. They are always "pick up only" packages. That is what my PO told me when I picked up my girls. They even gave them a drink in Amarillo the night before. Thanks PO!!!

I am more concerned about shipping in the cold because then there are not perishable regulations that are in place during the summer or stamped on the boxes. My box said "Perishable" and "Keep from heat" on it and was taken care properly.

It was funny to see them "free range" outside today. Keep looking up at the sky. Very friendly girls.

 

[speckledhen]

Hummer, sorry for the loss of the chicks. Too bad you live waaaaay down there and I'm waaaay up here almost in NC. I have chicks with broodies who will need homes soon and I'd be happy to give you a few.

 

[verlaj]

I forgot to mention that when making arrangements for the reshipment from Ideal, I expressed concern about the lateness of the season because of the increasing heat (this was in May). Mikaela (sp?) at Ideal was very accomodating, but she did say that she was not concerned about heat, only cold and rain. We scheduled the reshipment based on the weather prediction for rain in my area.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Hummer I am in North Florida but I check Craig's list in Tallahassee,panhandle and Pamama City There are alot of folks selling chicks there. There is also a small hatchery in the panhandle I cna't find the name but will keep[ looking Here is a number in Crawfordville that has chcs as well
#### Check Craigs list you will find a lot of them. If I can find the hatchery I will PM you.

Edited for personal phone number, please do not post personal information! Send it in a PM.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

To the OP, sorry for your losses. Please know that no matter which hatchery or time of year/temperatures sometimes chicks don't do well. However the vast majority of chicks do just fine and losses like you experienced, while devastating, are rare. And I hope despite the treatment here in this thread you choose to remain here at BYC.

Thanks to all that participated in this thread within the rules. However for the flames that was totally uncalled for and unkind.

To those that choose to continue the pain of the flames and take the thread off topic by replying may I remind you of the report button? That's what it's for!

Thanks for your time in reading this.

 

[vpeterson]

This spring I was part of a group order from Cackle through our local feed store.I ordered 20 chicks that ended up being part of a large order of over 200 birds. All of the birds I ordered arrived dead at the feed store. They said that they lost 200 birds in that order. It was very hot at that time and I wasn't surprised that there was some deaths but 200 birds is a lot. My money was refunded by the feed store and I was able to pick out a few birds from those that survived. June is not a good month to ship. Swap meets are a good place to get chicks. I would recommend finding one in your area. Sorry for your loss.