Post office killed my chicks. I am in shock. pics - graphic

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Why didn't you just have them call you when the chicks arrived at the office? That way you would have gotten them as soon as they got there, instead of waiting for the PO to bring them out.

I called every morning for mine and the PO let me pick them up before opening...saves them the hassle. Sorry about your chicks, but next time you be the responsible one and do not count on others that may not care as much about your parcel.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Here's the problem with trying to stand up for the PO on this one. I talked to the post master before my chicks were shipped the first time. It is the USPS policy on one day old chick shipments to be picked up after calling the new parents. ALL USPS, unless other arrangements have been made, so the sorter, and the carrier screwed up.

It makes no difference whether the carrier honked, knocked, sang a song, danced a tap dance, howled, waved, blew a train whistle, well you get the point. The chicks were never supposed to leave for delivery to begin with, and after that ANYBODY with common sense does not leave a fragile live breathing chick sitting on the ground. If you receive no recourse from the PO report them to SPCA for animal cruelty. Postal employees are not exempt from the law.

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

It is the policy of our post office to call you to pick up live chicks (that is what THEY told me). I've ordered chicks once , they were a day late. I'd already called twice they were really nice, and when they did call the next morning, they man seemed just as happy as I was that they were finally here. My mailman is wonderful also. Puts my eggs in the front seat with him so they won't slide or fall over. He seems very concerned about their safe arrival. After reading some of your posts I feel very lucky .

 

[chickencoop31320]

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[ChicknJ]

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Thank you Sarah, that was exactly what I was thinking..... common sense does not seem to get passed out to often.

To the OP, yes, there is always one and yes , they are entitled to their opinion, and generally I appreciate anothers POV. But as Sarah pointed out.... just common sense would have dictated that mayyyybe , they should have done what the instructions on the box called for.

I sincerely hope your chicks are replaced. I understand how sick you feel and perhaps, with the PO having to pay out money for THEIR error, some in house training will be done to prevent this in the future.

 

[Blue Skys]

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If they did call once before, you'd think they would stick to protocall (sp?). That's frustrating

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[Rolsjo]

I'm so sorry you had to wake up to all this! I agree that the PO is at fault here. It is clear that they didn't call when they should have. I hope they take responsibility and pay to replace your chicks.

I didn't realize all the bad things that could happen shipping chicks until I joined BYC! Thankfully, our PO is used to live deliveries and called as soon as the truck arrived. They also had the chicks in an inner room in a warm spot until I got there.

Let us all know what happens.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

After reading through all of it. I've drawn my own reasonings.

1. It's the dogs' fault.
2. It's the POs fault.
3. It's the OPs fault.

You were emailed or "confirmed" by the hatchery as to when you could begin to start looking for your chicks. You also knew that you had dogs that were known to chase chickens (since you said you keep yours locked up, etc.). You should have taken the necessary precautions to keep the dogs away from the mailman and the birds that you were expecting. You might also have left a note on the door asking the delivery person to ring the bell.

You mentioned you had a migraine. It is possible that you missed the honk and even a knock on the door.

The PO is at fault as well for not following the instructions on the package. They are people, they make mistakes as well.

The dogs are dogs are dogs. They will do what they want. Again, it is your responsibility to ensure the birds had a "safe" environment in which to be delivered. The PO is the one that is delivering the birds. Once they leave his hands, he cannot control the situation. ESPECIALLY if he had honked or knocked on your door, and you happened to sleep through it. I've done it...I'm certain everyone has at least once.

It is a lesson to be learned, but I DO think you should continue to hound your PO...mainly because they need to learn to follow instructions, however I do not believe the fault only lies with the PO.

 

[CallyB57]

Were your chicks insured? I can't remember if my chicks were insured...maybe just the Silkies from Indiana and California, and not the ones I ordered from Cackle.
Maybe there was not enough communication...maybe directions were not followed...maybe it's not 100% fault on either side..maybe maybe maybe the wrong phone number was on the box and when they called to have you pick up the chicks all they could get was a fax machine..whatever, the fact is that you are hurt about the chicks being killed no matter what the circumstances under which it came about. If I had some babies, I would just send you some free if you could pay the postage, but I don't...mine are only teenagers and I haven't seen an egg yet.
I pray that your next batch of chicks are healthy and active next time you order. OT, but I ordered 15 chicks and gave my neighbor 9 of them because I didn't have room for but about 6. When she determined some of them were roosters, she turned them out and her dog killed them.

I was aghast - it hurt me so bad to think I gave her those chicks (hence, I feel at fault) and I wish she had just given me the roosters back. I don't kill my roosters, rehome them, eat them, etc. I keep them, pet them, give them treats, love them. So I know what it's like to lose chicks-gives you a really bad feeling inside.

 

[ruth]

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EXACTLY!!!! In fact, if he did any of the above - all the more reason NOT to leave the box of chicks sitting on porch with three big dogs. If he knocked, and no one answered, there was no way of knowing if and when the people would return home and how long the chicks would have to sit in the box on the porch with the dogs.

He should have taken the chicks back with him and left a note.

The USPS does have certain procedures to follow when live animals are involved and leaving them outside, alone, isn't one of them.