Newbie - Help with mail order decision

[quintoc72]

Hello,
My 9 year old son is doing chickens (layers) as his first 4H project (he's been planning to do that since he started Cloverbuds). We have ordered 6 chicks (not all same breed) from Meyer Hatchery, which is 3 hours away from us. After doing some reading, I can't decide whether to go ahead and let them be delivered, as originally planned, or switch to making the 6 hour round trip to get them. The concern is wanting to prevent any deaths, especially with so few birds. Any input on whether anyone thinks it's worth making the drive to ensure the chicks viability, or whether it wouldn't really make a difference to have them shipped? Meyer says they'll put a heating pack in with the shipped chicks, and would also give us one, if needed, for the drive home.

Thanks for any help.
Joy to you.

 

[subhanalah]

If you can afford the gas and time spent, I believe it's worth it to make the drive. The chick's will have a much better start in life instead of having to deplete their yolk reserves JUST to get to your home. You would also ensure gentle handling and that they don't get bounced around by USPS. You really are at the mercy of the individuals handling the package of babies, and chances are, there is at least one person in that chain of individuals that just see it as another package with no value.
That's my personal opinion, but it really is up to whether you can afford the time and money for gas.
I've seen so many late deliveries and postings of dead chick's on the forum. It breaks my heart!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If you can afford the gas and time spent, I believe it's worth it to make the drive. The chick's will have a much better start in life instead of having to deplete their yolk reserves JUST to get to your home. You would also ensure gentle handling and that they don't get bounced around by USPS. You really are at the mercy of the individuals handling the package of babies, and chances are, there is at least one person in that chain of individuals that just see it as another package with no value.
That's my personal opinion, but it really is up to whether you can afford the time and money for gas.
I've seen so many late deliveries and postings of dead chick's on the forum. It breaks my heart!

Agree - for that distance/time of drive I would make the trip over having them shipped.

 

[akelley]

I just made a four-hour round trip to pick up my chicks from Ideal three weeks ago. I am SO glad I did, too! The chicks I ordered (speckled sussex) were very small and frail, and I feel sure I would have lost a few in transit if they had been shipped. As it is I lost the three littlest ones, and I know the mortality rate would have been higher if I hadn't picked them up myself.

The remaining 17 chicks are thriving!

 

[quintoc72]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. The boys and I talked, and we decided we'll make the drive (we'll be able to get them on the 14th). The cost of gas isn't going to be too much more than the cost of shipping, so that's not an issue, it was more the taking up a whole day issue and the boys reluctance to spend so much time in the car (I'm one of those reluctant to use screens to entertain in such situations, but ....).

A follow up question: an older 4h-er in our club suggested NOT handling the chicks while travelling in the car, but leave them in the box with the heat pack, as taking them out and in might be more stressful for them? Thoughts, anyone? My first thought would have been that being held for periods of time would have been comforting to them.

Thanks again!

 

[wholehearted]

We drove about 2 1/2 hours to get our chicks from Meyer just last week. I believe it was well worth it to avoid the stress of traveling through the postal service for the chicks.

I would agree that it is best just to leave the chicks in the box for the trip home. I find that they often start chirping in distress as soon as they are removed from the other chicks in the early days. Being with the other chicks seems to be more comforting than human hands at that point.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. The boys and I talked, and we decided we'll make the drive (we'll be able to get them on the 14th). The cost of gas isn't going to be too much more than the cost of shipping, so that's not an issue, it was more the taking up a whole day issue and the boys reluctance to spend so much time in the car (I'm one of those reluctant to use screens to entertain in such situations, but ....).

A follow up question: an older 4h-er in our club suggested NOT handling the chicks while travelling in the car, but leave them in the box with the heat pack, as taking them out and in might be more stressful for them? Thoughts, anyone? My first thought would have been that being held for periods of time would have been comforting to them.

Thanks again!

The older 4-Her is spot on.

 

[quintoc72]

Great, thanks - the advice is very much appreciated.!
Joy to all.