Received my box of dying chicks today!!

[mailmamm]

Hello. I know many of you are very angry and to tell the truth I am too. The hatcheries MUST send the chicks express if they are to arrive in no less than two days. If the hatcheries don't than the post service isn't responsible for the delay. I know at my office if chicks come in they call the reciever to ask if they want to pick them up or have them delivered. If the weather is even warm they call many times to make contact. Not all Post office's are careless and usually a carrier goes out of their way to make sure the little chicken nuggets are kept safe.

 

[ranger4327]

Quote:
Who did you order from?

i sent you a PM......

 

[ranger4327]

my 4th chick came back from the brinks..... i am thinking it is the rooster, as it is a sex-link that is different in color than the rest. it didnt look good at first, he warmed up and when i checked again, he was sitting up and peeping loud. i gave him some water. hope they all make it !!!

 

[Peeper7]

Quote:
I must say that my LOCAL post office has been wonderful with my many shipments of eggs coming in. The first shipment though came as a totally smashed in box with broken eggs. It did not happen on my end, but it did happen during USPS handling.
This was beyond any incidental damage. Even dropping the package would not have caused it. But if the package was not insured, USPS would not take ANY responsibility -- not even give me a free shipping of the replacement. And I do not think they will insure eggs at all.

 

[columbiacritter]

I've never had a problem with a shipment once they reach my local post office, it's the handlers in between that have been a problem.

 

[Peeper7]

I found this on an avian emergency web site and as promised I am passing it along. It's mainly for pet birds, but at least I know the pedialyte, gator-aid, electrolyte solution can be used safely in birds.

http://www.avianweb.com/sickbirdcare.html

Emergency Nutrition for Sick Birds / Avoid Dehydration:

Birds suffering from dehydration may have crinkly skin around theirs eyes. Another way to diagnose dehydration is to pinch their skin for a second (which is possible in chicks or birds with unfeathered areas on their bodies). Dehydrated skin will remain tented for several seconds, rather than bouncing right back.

The ill bird has low blood and energy levels that must be restored rapidly.

Preventing Dehydration:

Fresh, clean water should be available at all times.
Adding a little honey to the water may encouraging drinking; however, the water needs to be changed frequently as bacteria grows easily in sweetened water
Commercial electrolyte replacement fluids (i.e., Pedialyte) will also help prevent dehydration - the biggest risk a sick bird faces. When caring for a sick bird I replace the water with Pedialyte, which will counteract any dehydration.
Treat Dehydration:

To remedy dehydration use:

commercial electrolyte fluids, such as Pedialyte; or
mix one pint of water, one pint of Gatorade, 1 teaspoon of honey or Karo syrup, 1 level teaspoon of baking soda, 1 level teaspoon table salt.
Caution: Measure with care; inaccurate measurements can cause severe diarrhea. Orange or cherry juice helps in hydrating your bird.
Force-feeding is necessary when the energy levels drop so low that the bird does not eat or drink and is in danger of dying. You may try getting fluids into the sick birds using a dropper.​

 

[ranger4327]

i am down to 2 left..... i hope they make it thru the nite !!!!!!!!! not liking the mail order thing........

 

[rainbowgardens]

I've got 13 left out of 37.
Two still need to be dropper watered. For some reason they eat on their own, but I haven't actually seen them drink from their waterer. Maybe they think I will give them water the rest of their life.
Boy would that look funny!

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

I am so sorry about your chicks!!

I feel really bad for you and your poor little babies!! I hope you have better luck with the little ones that you have left. And the new ones.
It scares me thinking about such things as my chicks are coming on the 18th of this month! I ordered from Murray McMurray, I am new to raising chicks so all can wish me good luck too!

 

[Peeper7]

Good luck c b - lover! I would follow that shipment right from the hatchery and every post office along the way.
We have chicks coming end of May and I am fortunate to be able to pick them up. Glad I decided to...

Hang in there rainbow... they will get tired of waiting for you and drink on their own...