Ordered new ducks!

[sourmilknightmares]

I ordered three new ducklings of laying breeds to be shipped out from Metzer Farms on September 6. I have never ordered poultry in the mail before so I'm really nervous. Metzer Farms is in California and I'm in North Carolina, so my poor little duckies have a while to travel. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep them alive and healthy? I know I should contact the post office and let them know my birds will be coming in and to contact me as soon as they do, but is there anything else I can do? I'm afraid of losing them in shipment or shortly after so any advice you have, I would love to hear!

 

[katharinad]

First of all Metzer is very good with what they do, and they send strong birds. After that make sure you have the brooder ready. Have water with electrolytes and vitamins for them. I prefer this product. It is easy to mix on, even in small quantities. This will reduce their stress. By now they will be hungry and I would make a food mash for the first 3 days before going all dry.

 

[sourmilknightmares]

Thank you for your reply. I read lots of nice things about Metzer, watched their "Duckumentary," and they deal almost exclusively with waterfowl, so I figured they might be a safe bet. One of the options they add is to ship GroGel Bird Starter in the box with your birds so that they have some nutrients/hydration on the trip. It was a whopping $2 for my order so I got it. Do you have any experience with a product like this? Is there any value to it or just a way for the seller to make a few extra dollars. I figured it was cheap enough that if it helped at all, it was definitely worth it.

 

[TLWR]

Mine arrived to southern Alabama the first week of August. To say it was hot then would be an understatement.
They did fine. I emailed Metzer's prior since so many people said it was a bad idea but they said they do it all the time and typically don't have an issue. I had them send them with a gel pack just in case.