Cottagechick, I just did this. I ordered 5 chicks in the mail from MPC. The hatched on Monday (8/8/11), per their site. I was called by the PO, two days later, at 630am on Wednesday. I dropped the kids off at school, picked my mom up, and was at the PO at 830am. I had to pick them up at the "sorting center PO" rather than our official PO, so things there seemed a little less strict or official. I went in though the loading dock (I am from a small town but large enough to have a separate sorting center). I forgot to bring scissors to cut open the box (duh), but they let me use theirs. Not sure if things will be that chick friendly where you are, so I would consider bringing scissors just in case you get a person who does not care to see the little peeps or share scissors. My PO worker was dying to see what was in the peeping box!
All 5 were alive with a lot of straw lining the box and a little heat pad. So, based on that information, find out when your hatch date occurs and consider additional heat if the arrival is at day 3 (and hopefully not more!). Mine was day 2 (but I did not know that before the call from the PO), and a 10 minute drive home. The box was very small for 5 (probably only 8 inches by 12 inches), and I understand that the large boxes for more chicks are partitioned, so if you do a warm water bottle, it will have to be below the box. I doubt your mom needs it for a 20 minute drive.
Does your mom have someone to bring with her? My drive was only 10 minutes but if it had been longer, I would have been distracted. My mom was with me and gave me a running update while trying desperately to keep the lid closed (but she couldn't). I kept the car warmer than usual. I set the auto at 78. We were hot. I live in Georgia, so it was at least that and more outside. I think your mom will be fine in 20 minutes without any additional heat if she keeps her car fairly warm.
I assume you will have your brooder all set up before the arrival and yes, you will need a heat lamp if you are at 83 outside now.
As soon as I got them home, I dipped beaks in water first. Three of five of them found their feed on their own and started pecking away. Two were not doing well. They stood still, cheeped, swayed, with eyes closed. They would not drink water or eat. We kept introducing them to the water, not too much but probably more than I realized. One perked up within a few minutes of water introduction and went to feed by him/herself. One did not. It was clear that she was not going to do well after awhile. Mom and I both agreed...again, nice to have a second opinion (my husband, though, would have not worried like my mom). I had read up about sugared water, went into the kitchen, and mixed some sugar with water. No measurements, just did it, cursing myself for thinking I would not need it and not knowing how to do it. Just mixed some sugar up with enough water that it did not stay crystallized. I used an eye dropper to try and feed her, but of course, she would not open her beak!
I just dropped sugar water on top of the end of her beak enough that one of the drops would hang there, and she would eventually open her beak and swallow it. I did this several times, until she no longer seemed listless and was invigorated. She then went for food!
Incidentally, the chick who my mom and I thought was not going to make it was, of course, the prettiest in the box. We called her Goldie that day...she had a gold head (she is an EE), and when I have to divide my chicks (I have 10 total), Goldie and 2-3 of her brood-mates will be in my mom's yard. She is a lovely chick at 3 weeks!
By the way, I'll bet your mom will do just fine. You can be the judge if she does not need help!
By the way, the recommendations on heat for chicks are:
95 degrees for the first week
90 degrees for the second week
85 degrees for the third week
80 degrees for the fourth week
then ambient temperature
I can tell you in Georgia my chicks have been too hot since the second week even though temperature readings were right. What about the temperature swings? I go by the temperature at night and watch my chicks behavior, but the temperature seems too hot here in Georgia.
You should have a brooder large enough for them to get away from the hottest heat. I have worried myself crazy about the heat since the recommendations are hard to follow. I've raised and lowered my heat lamp too many times to mention. I've finally started to watch my chicks, especially at night. If they are piled on top of each other, they may be too cold. If they are trying to avoid the light, they are too hot. Use your judgement and don't stick to hard and fast rules if it doesn't seen right! Of course I still raise the lamp during the day if they are panting under the light, but I'm not home until 5pm, which, fortunately for me, is the warmest time of the day. I've become a weather watcher, too, look at your forecast.
Good luck!
