My experience with McMurray

[Muffinburgler]

Oh boy all this has me super worried now. I ordered my first mail chicks (all the others before I got in person) and they're coming from a hatchery 2-3 hour drive from my location. I hope the distance is short enough that they make it okay. I only ordered three so I really can't afford to lose any.

 

[kadota48]

2-3 hours isnt long really..if they are chicks you ordered than they should deffinately arrive oka. Chicks usually live 2-3 days without food or water for the first few days they hatch.

 

[ddpbk1]

Went to the post office this morning to pick up the chicks that shipped Saturday. Out of the 28 chicks ordered and 30 in box only one DOA but the extra chick was a pullet and a breed that was the most expensive. The rest are running around like jumping beans in the food and water. Very lively group considering the travel time and the weather.

 

[Muddy]

I ordered from them once. Only one was DOA, but others dropped off fast. I was frantic trying to keep them alive. It was awful. I was having nightmares about dead and dying chicks. The ones that made it did well though, and the ones that weren't meat chickens are healthy and good layers. Getting them to that point was kind of traumatic though. I've raised one batch before and two after and I've never had so much trouble.

DH is tempted to try again with them, but I'm just not sure. I'd rather pick them up a the co-op. I need to look around for a local hatchery.

 

[Muddy]

That's terrific! Glad they all sound so healthy.

 

[heronz]

I always ask what day they are to be shipped and if they can't do a mon,tues,or Wed,-I order somewhere else.
It's not worth the risk to me.

 

[GatsbysGirl]

Wow I am so sorry for those of you with these horrible stories. So sad indeed.

I ordered from McMurray for the first time this year and got my chicks about 2 weeks ago. All were alive, healthy and are thriving. Personally I would order from them again. We had ordered in a group and as far as I know all the chicks were fine and still are.

 

[chickenjudy]

I've had two orders of McMurray chicks this year. First order shipped on Saturday and arrived on Monday. ALL the Sumatras were either DOA or died shortly thereafter and I lost several of other breeds in the first few days. Remaining chicks are doing fine now. Second order shipped on a Sunday (but according to the paperwork hatched on a Saturday) and didn't arrive until Tuesday as Monday was a holiday and PO was closed. They all arrived just fine and happy.
I asked the rep at McMurray why they ship on weekends and she said they had a contract with USPS and were only guaranteed room on the planes on Saturdays but that the PO trucks still run on weekends, even if the offices aren't open. That said, I am still not happy about the babies being en route over a weekend as I'm sure they spend more time in less than ideal temperatures/handling situations. Although not a huge fan of Ideal's birds, they did get my order to me overnight and every single one of them are doing great so will probably order from them instead of MM from now on if they have the breeds I want. I know the hatcheries refund money for dead chicks but just hate the thought of them enduring so much in their short little lives and want healthy babies, not a refund!

 

[ceeceeholt]

Ordered from MM and received them this morning. Never got a notice or email that they were here except from our PO. Email said they would be here tomorrow. Anyway, ordered 45, got 48. All happy and moving around great. I was worried about the cold, but so far all seem to be doing fine, eatting, drinking, sleeping! Hope all this good health keeps up, sorry for the others loss.

 

[appps]

Sorry but I'm still trying to get my head around the fact you can post a live animal at all. Does my head in they are treated as if death by post is an inconvenience not cruelty.

Keep meaning to ask if its legal over here in Aus as well.