I know some have mentioned it here at BYC's, but I thought I would emphasize how some of you might be able to decrease the shipping time of your chicks.
I have had really, really good luck with being able to pick up my chicks at the distribution center for my area (as opposed to waiting for them to be delivered to my local rural post office.
Here are my examples from last year and this year:
--- Last year I ordered 83 (ended up with 86) chicks from McMurray. I had not realized it when I ordered, but that monday (I think February 18th?) was a holiday. McMurray said because of the holiday orders were going to be sent out on Sunday (the day before) instead of their usual shipping day of Saturday. I contacted my local (rural) PO office to let them know I was getting live chicks in. I got worried about the chicks sitting all day monday since it was a holiday so I contacted the PO again. They were really nice and contacted the Distribution center for me. The chicks were at the Distribution center so I was able to drive and pick them up about 7:00 a.m. on the holiday. That saved the chicks from having to sit in their box with no food or water for an additional 24 hours. All the chicks were alive on delivery (less than 24 hours in transit).
-- This year I was going to wait till March, but got too excited looking at everyones chick pics. I contacted the local PO again and asked if he could give me the number of the Distribution center or who I would talk to there. The Local PO said the Distribution center would call if they came in. The chicks shipped out yesterday (saturday) and I got a call last night about 9:00 p.m. from the Distribution center! There whole shipping time was less than 12 hours!! If I had not asked for them to call me at the Distribution center, the chicks (53 of them from McMurray) would have been there an additional 32 hours minimum (part of Saturday, all day Sunday, and maybe ready for pickup at the local PO at 6:00 a.m. at the earliest on Monday). So far all are alive and look healthy. Their shipping time would likely have been about 44 hours total, but ended up being only about 12 hours.
My local PO office was glad to help, and the folks at the Distribution center were friendly and seemed happy to help. In fact, 3 guys came out to watch me pick them up.
Some of you might not be able to drive to your local PO Distribution center, but some of you might be able to get your chicks a lot quicker just by making a couple of phone calls. I know my little chicks seem to be very thankful.... they are eating, drinking... and pooping like crazy!
I have had really, really good luck with being able to pick up my chicks at the distribution center for my area (as opposed to waiting for them to be delivered to my local rural post office.
Here are my examples from last year and this year:
--- Last year I ordered 83 (ended up with 86) chicks from McMurray. I had not realized it when I ordered, but that monday (I think February 18th?) was a holiday. McMurray said because of the holiday orders were going to be sent out on Sunday (the day before) instead of their usual shipping day of Saturday. I contacted my local (rural) PO office to let them know I was getting live chicks in. I got worried about the chicks sitting all day monday since it was a holiday so I contacted the PO again. They were really nice and contacted the Distribution center for me. The chicks were at the Distribution center so I was able to drive and pick them up about 7:00 a.m. on the holiday. That saved the chicks from having to sit in their box with no food or water for an additional 24 hours. All the chicks were alive on delivery (less than 24 hours in transit).
-- This year I was going to wait till March, but got too excited looking at everyones chick pics. I contacted the local PO again and asked if he could give me the number of the Distribution center or who I would talk to there. The Local PO said the Distribution center would call if they came in. The chicks shipped out yesterday (saturday) and I got a call last night about 9:00 p.m. from the Distribution center! There whole shipping time was less than 12 hours!! If I had not asked for them to call me at the Distribution center, the chicks (53 of them from McMurray) would have been there an additional 32 hours minimum (part of Saturday, all day Sunday, and maybe ready for pickup at the local PO at 6:00 a.m. at the earliest on Monday). So far all are alive and look healthy. Their shipping time would likely have been about 44 hours total, but ended up being only about 12 hours.
My local PO office was glad to help, and the folks at the Distribution center were friendly and seemed happy to help. In fact, 3 guys came out to watch me pick them up.
Some of you might not be able to drive to your local PO Distribution center, but some of you might be able to get your chicks a lot quicker just by making a couple of phone calls. I know my little chicks seem to be very thankful.... they are eating, drinking... and pooping like crazy!
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