Packing peanuts

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
I don't understand why your only option is to kill them. Make a few connections with people in the country, and they can at least be grown out to be food for someone, or become a flock rooster, not just killed as babies. All my chicken friends know that i will take extra roos off their hands.

Are you reading my post at all?

I have trouble giving them away...

...roos are not allowed in some areas.

I'm not trying to be ornery. And i don't know where your area is. I just feel confident that there is some kind of "country" area somewhere not too far from you where there are folks who can have roosters - and where you might be able to make a couple of contacts. It sounds like you would probably prefer to drive them a little ways than to cull a bunch of packing peanuts every time. That has to be a horrible experience for you. I know it would be for me. Maybe you could even make a connection through BYC. I know i have made several.

I understand your frustration, but i also appreciate the hatchery's giving the unwanteds a chance and using them to warm the wanteds at the same time.

 

[Chickens-246]

Quote:
Are you reading my post at all?

I have trouble giving them away...

...roos are not allowed in some areas.

I'm not trying to be ornery. And i don't know where your area is. I just feel confident that there is some kind of "country" area somewhere not too far from you where there are folks who can have roosters - and where you might be able to make a couple of contacts. It sounds like you would probably prefer to drive them a little ways than to cull a bunch of packing peanuts every time. That has to be a horrible experience for you. I know it would be for me. Maybe you could even make a connection through BYC. I know i have made several.

I understand your frustration, but i also appreciate the hatchery's giving the unwanteds a chance and using them to warm the wanteds at the same time.

Culling is my last resort, when all else fails. My main point is the hatchery shouldn't put me into that situation in the first place.

 

[tammyd57]

Quote:
I'm not trying to be ornery. And i don't know where your area is. I just feel confident that there is some kind of "country" area somewhere not too far from you where there are folks who can have roosters - and where you might be able to make a couple of contacts. It sounds like you would probably prefer to drive them a little ways than to cull a bunch of packing peanuts every time. That has to be a horrible experience for you. I know it would be for me. Maybe you could even make a connection through BYC. I know i have made several.

I understand your frustration, but i also appreciate the hatchery's giving the unwanteds a chance and using them to warm the wanteds at the same time.

Culling is my last resort, when all else fails. My main point is the hatchery shouldn't put me into that situation in the first place.

If you buy insurance for your order, there won't be any packing peanuts. That is your other option. The hatchery is not "putting you in that situation" --YOU are.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I look at the packing peanuts as free chickens. If they happen to be boys, then they can go in my freezer when they are big enough, or someone else. Or I can try selling them to someone else.
Like has already been pointed out, if they don't send them out from the hatchery, that is a lot more chicks that are destroyed by whatever method each uses. Besides, sometimes the minimum order may not be enough to keep them all nice and warm in shipment and it is better to have a little more body heat in there to keep everyone going.
Looking at the alternatives, having PPs is not such a bad thing.

 

[Hecate]

Have you checked to see if there are any hatcheries close enough for you to drive and pick up your order? That's what we do, and we don't have to worry about minimum orders or getting roosters we can't keep. Plus, it's cheaper for us to drive than to have our chicks delivered.

 

[Chickens-246]

Why would they change their packing method if you buy insurance? They are less concerned with you receiving live chicks?

The hatchery is adding packing peanuts, that is not my fault.

 

[PunkinPeep]

It is my understanding that My Pet Chicken does not add packing peanuts and will let you order as few as three chicks at a time. I don't know how they keep them warm, but i've heard good reports about that company. Maybe that could help you out. I'm sure you could call to confirm that they will actually send you only the number of chicks you ordered (at mypetchicken, anyway).

 

[Domestic_goddess]

Quote:
I just ordered from MPC and I didn't recieve any peanuts! I've had very good luck with them and always recommend them.
I see your frustration about the packing peanuts....sometimes in some situations taking on more then you can handle or want is hard...but giving them a second chance is a good thing, try to think of what others have said. Good luck to you!

 

[no1male]

Quote:
I think you are misunderstanding what has been said.

From my understanding PP are in themselves a sort of insurance to insure your chicks reach you in the best possible condition. The hatchery is doing its best to get the chickens to you alive and well. If they are all dead then the hatchery can say "We delivered your birds fit and well and even sent "X" amount of chicks free to keep the chicks warm and healthy". This way the hatchery is covering themselves from everyone trying to claim from them. Plus they can also say they have done everything within there ability to get the chicks to you in A1 condition.

If you take out the insurance you get no PP, the chances are your birds will still be ok. The difference is if all your chicks or maybe even a few are DOA the insurance company will pay you for your loss and not the hatchery. The hatchery is covering themselves both ways. Yes no one wants the chicks to be DOA or be in poor condition but YOU have the option to have PP or not. At the end of the day the Hatchery is a business.

All depends if you want to pay the extra and risk your chicks being fine or have PP and then get rid of them when the time comes.

Hope i have made that clearer as there seemed to be some confusion?