I have been seeing how many people have ordered from Murray and lost thier chicks. February in Iowa means WINTER!!!! Please do not order chicks and think everything is going to be well!! If you are in a stated that it is mild to slightly cold believe that it is D%$M cold here... It is not Murrays or the POs fault if we get a foot of snow and nothing is moving. I have never ordered from any hatchery so I am not endorsing any of them but if you are looking for early chicks you need to pay more and order from the southern states. Just because they have them for sale doesnt mean you should buy them. We have had 3 snow storms in about 2 weeks and are expecting more snow tomorrow. The temps are to be in theteens to lower 20s all weekend. Check out the local temps for where the hatchery is that you plan on ordering from and see what the extended forcast of temps are. The early bird doesnt always get the worm... Jenn
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am whole heartedly in agreement with you. Raising chicks and chickens comes with a great amount responsiblity but there is also huge need for common sense too. It is like the problem with the jumbo cornish x's. Yes, stress kills them very easily. So why do you want to feed and grow out a massive bird when you know the temps will be 100 or more, the humudity will be sky high and those birds can't effectively regulate their bodies to deal with it? Common sense. Order those birds in to come to you in April, feed them out to June or get them in September and feed them out to November. The fall can be extended the further south you go as warmer weather tends to stick around longer. The spring order can be a little sooner the further south you are. Common sense. Just a little common sense and lots of problems will be avoided.
Thank you for the advise! It is very warm here in SC, so I would not even think about the weather in states there the hatcheries are located. But it makes lots of sence. Thank you
Yes I agree--- Please Dont Blame Hatcheries-their purpose is to make money and Dont Blame the Post Office-if they quit shipping animals altogether where would people be? I would also think about ordering in the hot hot summer--well meaning postal workers may put your chicks in front of air conditioner(ive heard it)--so think when you order
My chicks are supposed to come Monday from MM. I ordered 75. Last time I got them the same day I ordered. I think because we are close to a main hub, Denver. But yeah, I'm worried and thinking about postponing the shipment
If I may add.. this also applies to ALL live shipments. It bothers me quite a good bit to see young and adult birds auctioned on animal auction sites with shipping information or even outright say "ready to ship" during the SUMMER. Oh seriously, come on.. you do not leave babies or dogs in a vehicle. Those mailed birds ARE going to be in the sun on a loading zone, in non-airconditioned trucks etc. I've had to turn down more than several times, people wanting me to send birds from very mild California to mid-west or eastern states stuck in a deep freeze. Even if my birds made the trip, if the new owners don't make very special arrangements, the birds are likely going to freeze to death or get quite stressed and sick from the sudden change to a much worse climate? I have to say I have a feeling some of the persons I'd turned down simply went on to another breeder and got their birds around the same time anyways.. never heard back from most of them ever again.. I alternate between feeling upset and sad. Another thing.. try not to ship during the holiday season! Between Thanksgiving and Christmas the postal service is just inndunated with christmas presents being sent through the mail. Sometimes I feel like people are deliberately trying to jeopardize our ability to send and receive birds.. Be responsible and use common sense.
I totally agree with the above posts. I ordered my chicks for April this year (turns out that I can't get them until May because I've added Guineas) and I'm already going crazy wanting them so much. BUT, I want them alive and well... and the weather here can be bad through April so I didn't want to take any chances of my babies being stuck somewhere in a snowstorm. Waiting ... waiting... waiting .... three more months - AHHHH!!!! This is sooo hard. Waiting ... waiting...
I just got my order and feel very guilty. never again! will always think first. most were ok, but still, i realize it was very very wrong
What good advice. I am in a relatively mild climate, and was thinking about ordering soon. Stupidly I never even took into consideration where the chicks were coming FROM to begin with. Thanks for the wake-up call! I think sometimes excitement just over-rides common sense.