Maybe I should stick to chicks and pet rocks.....

[brendae]

I received my 30 mixed guineas from McMurray hatchery last Thursday. When my kids and I opened the box we couldn't believe how tiny and cute they were! As we unpacked the keets into the brooder we were saddened to find at the bottom 3 flattened, stiff ones and 1 limp, dying one. We watered and fed the poor things and they all just seemed exhausted. By the end of the night several more had died. Over the first 2 days we lost 15 of the keets (I had traded 9 of the keets to a local lady for some silkie chicks and 3 of her 9 died the first night), and 2 more this morning. We are down to 7 keets now. I can't believe it! I think they had a really hard trip because it snowed here for the two days prior to their arrival. Also, the post office called at 7:30 am to tell me the birds were there, and when I arrived a little after 9:00 am it was freezing in there. I wonder if the poor little things spent the night in the post office. Are they always this fragile, or am I like the world's worst guinea raiser??

 

[MuranoFarms]

I'm so sorry! Unfortunately, yes...they are always this fragile. That is why most hatcheries won't even ship guinea keets till June. They are not as hardy as day old chicks at this point. I never ship keets. Eggs however, ship beautifully. If you have an incubator just hatch them yourself. Also, call McMurray and let them know that over half the keets died. Maybe they will ship you more when the weather is more consistent.

 

[Akane]

You are likely to lose chicks under those circumstances too. Reason why I don't get anything but eggs shipped to me. 3/4ths of the year is too cold here. Especially in spring when the hatcheries start shipping out. I don't feel as bad when I kill eggs from shipping.

I would call the hatchery and tell them how many have died. They might send more or at least refund your money. If you don't get as many as you want or you want more later I would check for local people. Craigslist or the boards at feed stores are a good place to look. I found a guy just up the road breeding several colors I wanted on craigslist.

 

[brendae]

Well, I'm glad it's not totally me. I did contact McMurray and they are sending a replacement batch next week. Hopefully the nice weather here will hold out and the poor little things will have a better trip. Hey Murano Farms, you are very close to where I grew up in Parker, PA. Nice to see some people from back home on here.