Sad - 3/4 chicks dead in Meyer shipment

[MeepBeep]

I am surprised they didn't send some "packing peanuts" (roosters). Most hatcheries won't ship that few chicks because of the problems like you had - day old chicks need more warmth than what 3 or 4 chicks can make. Some hatcheries will tell you that if you order under a certain amount, then you will get roosters as fillers or you have to purchase insurance if you don't want the added roosters.

Yep, I'm surprised to hear that they only shipped 4 chicks as most hatcheries won't for this very reason...

 

[dealfinder500]

Yep, I'm surprised to hear that they only shipped 4 chicks as most hatcheries won't for this very reason...

It's sad to hear about the chicks, but I'm really not surprised.

 

[leahlefler]

Yes, Meyer regularly ships small batches in the summer. They said they normally don't have this problem, but it makes me wonder. THey ship the chicks with a heat pack to keep them warm. Meyer and My Pet Chicken are the only ones that will ship as few as 3 chicks at a time (only in summer).

 

[krystlehg]

So sorry...my shipment from Meyer should be here tomorrow. I ordered five little ones. I hope they are all alive and well!

 

[leahlefler]

I am trying to source a little companion for our lonely orpington. We will get replacements - I just hope Meyer can replace them quickly! And I hope the next batch survives. If they don't, we'll give up. Next time I think I'll try to go local to avoid the heartache.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your chicks. If you have some SaveAChick vitamins/electrolytes, I would be mixing some and dipping it's beak into the water. Pedialyte, or even a little sugar into the water would be good to use instead. Keep dipping her beak several times an hour, and giving her time to swallow. It is really very hot this time of year to ship chicks, especially if they are sitting in a hot mail truck for hours. My two previous shipments from Meyer were all alive and did well, but my smallest group was 15.

 

[dealfinder500]

I am trying to source a little companion for our lonely orpington. We will get replacements - I just hope Meyer can replace them quickly! And I hope the next batch survives. If they don't, we'll give up. Next time I think I'll try to go local to avoid the heartache.

If you only want just a few chicks, your best bet is to get them locally.

 

[Michael OShay]

If you only want just a few chicks, your best bet is to get them locally.

X2. I've never ordered chicks from Meyer before, but I'm really surprised that they ship chicks in that small a number (even in the summer). Most hatcheries ship a minimum of 15, and for some it's 25 as it's just not safe for the chicks to ship them in small quantities. I hope at some point Meyer will discontinue this practice. Anyway, good luck with your new shipment.

 

[dealfinder500]

X2. I've never ordered chicks from Meyer before, but I'm really surprised that they ship chicks in that small a number (even in the summer). Most hatcheries ship a minimum of 15, and for some it's 25 as it's just not safe for the chicks to ship them in small quantities. I hope at some point Meyer will discontinue this practice. Anyway, good luck with your new shipment.

Cackle will, too. But they charge $50 for 3 chicks, and they put warmers in there. Does Meyer do that? Ideal will ship less than 25 so long as it's over $25, but they tell you they will either include extra males in the box or you must purchase insurance.

 

[Michael OShay]

Cackle will, too. But they charge $50 for 3 chicks, and they put warmers in there. Does Meyer do that? Ideal will ship less than 25 so long as it's over $25, but they tell you they will either include extra males in the box or you must purchase insurance.

That's interesting. I've ordered from Cackle in the past and didn't realize they would ship only three (maybe they didn't at the time I ordered from them). I've always ordered at least 25 chicks from all four hatcheries I have used, even when I didn't intend to keep that many of them. I always sold the extras and recouped the money I spent on them.