my pet chicken reviews

[Jujubara]

I got 3 Super Blues, 2 pullets and 1 cockerel - now 3 weeks old. Based on the behavior (with a Welsummer that was supposed to be a pullet, not a roo) and appearance, I believe the gray is the cockerel and the 2 white ones are the pullets. Their down is very light and very fine. The one that had some black 'smudge' marks (far right, 1st pic, far left 2nd pic) got picked at probably because the others were 'cleaning' her- and that thin light down shows a lot of skin, so the resulting red skin created an even bigger target. Vasoline helped deter the 'helpers' and now she's growing in feathers. I suggest keeping an eye out, especially if you get one with black smudges. Enjoy your new chicks!

Day 2



Day 10



Day 22



Day 22

Thanks for the pictures, they're lovely! And thanks for the heads up with the pecking on the spot.

 

[Shezadandy]

Thank you, I will assume they are on the way and will keep the incubator plugged in and a few broody hens are on ready too. I seem to never get shipping notifications either for my chicks, it's just what I read they are suppose to do but don't, I figured maybe the eggs would be different. So I guess I actually have my first complaint about MPC.

Definitely a great idea! Last time I got a 'reminder' over the weekend and a 'chicks have flown the coop' with a tracking number on the Monday- they got here Wednesday. This time, with the same departure time, they got here a full day earlier. Using MPC's live chat window was quick and easy - just need the order #. Good luck and enjoy your peeps!

 

[Shezadandy]

Thanks for the pictures, they're lovely! And thanks for the heads up with the pecking on the spot.

No problem! I hope they lay large blue eggs like they're supposed to... the wait is on.

 

[ChickAsThieves]

Does MPC include a heat pack with the chicks? My chicks shipped Monday afternoon and according to the tracking were in Providence, RI this morning en route to me in Southeastern, MA. The post office said they probably won't arrive until tomorrow! It's been pretty cold here. I'm having a sinking feeling they won't make it.

 

[Blooie]

Does MPC include a heat pack with the chicks? My chicks shipped Monday afternoon and according to the tracking were in Providence, RI this morning en route to me in Southeastern, MA. The post office said they probably won't arrive until tomorrow! It's been pretty cold here. I'm having a sinking feeling they won't make it.

Mine made it both times. The first order it was 17 below zero, and they were delayed in Casper, Wyoming overnight. The second batch it was warmer but they still had an overnight delay sitting in the sorting facility in Casper.

 

[ChickAsThieves]

Mine made it both times. The first order it was 17 below zero, and they were delayed in Casper, Wyoming overnight. The second batch it was warmer but they still had an overnight delay sitting in the sorting facility in Casper.

Thank you! I just got an order from Murray McMurray and out of 19, 3 WC Polish were DOA. I also have a SS Hamburg that is struggling. She was very cold when I got them home. There are only 6 coming from MPC, which is why I'm hoping there's a heat pack!

 

[dekel18042]

Does MPC include a heat pack with the chicks? My chicks shipped Monday afternoon and according to the tracking were in Providence, RI this morning en route to me in Southeastern, MA. The post office said they probably won't arrive until tomorrow! It's been pretty cold here. I'm having a sinking feeling they won't make it.

Depending on the time of year and temperature they may or may not include a heat pack. I've ordered from MPC twice. The first time 10 arrived on a Tuesday in August after being shipped on Monday afternoon. No heat pack, no problems, less than 24 hours in transit.
The post office has now gone to a hub delivery system where the chicks are delivered to a hub (Ours is Philadelphia) then on to their destination.
The following year I wanted to add some new breeds. Again they were shipped Monday afternoon the end of April. The temperatures plummeted and it felt like winter had returned. The chicks arrived in Philadelphia and I thought they would get her by Wednesday morning at the latest. Unfortunately Philadelphia seemed to have misplaced them and they sat there for over 24 hours before arriving at their destination Thursday morning, almost three days in transit. There was a heat pack, but it was cold and 25% of the order was DOA and several others were weak but with extra nursing care pulled through and I still have them all.
Depending on the number of chicks you ordered you might get an extra heat pack or if you feel it necessary, I wouldn't hesitate to ask for one. Ever since then I have been afraid to order chicks through the mail.

 

[ChickAsThieves]

Good to know that I can request one. I didn't worry about the shipping too much initially because I assumed at the end of April our temps would be warmer. Unfortunately, it was 45 degrees and rainy yesterday and we got frost overnight. I really don't understand why Amazon can guarantee my packages in less than 48 hours, but the hatcheries can't.

 

[dekel18042]

Good to know that I can request one. I didn't worry about the shipping too much initially because I assumed at the end of April our temps would be warmer. Unfortunately, it was 45 degrees and rainy yesterday and we got frost overnight. I really don't understand why Amazon can guarantee my packages in less than 48 hours, but the hatcheries can't.

Because Amazon uses Fed Ex and my packages often come within a day, two at the most. Hatcheries use the post office which is slower and to me seems less efficient.

 

[Chapel Hill Chicks]

The babies have arrived! I could hear them chirping away in the back of the post office before the mail carrier brought them out front! They were well-packed with a heat pack underneath a tightly-woven, thick and cushiony nesting pad. Although they were in transit for over 24 hours, they were bright-eyed, active, and chatty. Thank you, MPC! I can't wait to receive my bantam order at the end of May.

Just one question, though. One of the little girls is a "Rare Marans." In looking at pictures of the different varieties of Marans you sell, I've narrowed her down to either a Black Copper Marans or a Golden Cuckoo Marans. Is there any way to find out which one she is before she begins to feather out? The pictures of the two chicks look remarkably similar, even down to the dark legs with pink toes. She's a beauty, whichever variety little Delphine is!