Sad - 3/4 chicks dead in Meyer shipment

[dealfinder500]

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.

That's what I do, too! I order them when they are have a deep special, and then sell many of them and make my money back.

 

[tlb625]

you guys need to order from my pet chicken I've has good service with them and I'm so sorry for unit losses I had the same problem when I had my first shipment with my pet chicken but it was the airports fault cause they had delays and kept them longer in the airport and my second order ere replacements and they ALL survived . good luck

 

[leahlefler]

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.

Yes, Meyer includes warmers in their packages. They insure the shipment (but the shipping is expensive so I'm sure the cost is passed on to the customer). Our fourth chick is not doing well. She was able to walk last night but now can't. I dipped her beak in water and she did drink. One leg is behind her and she is silently "peeping" - mouth opening and closing. I think she's going to die. Not sure if I should ask for a refund or if we should try another shipment. Talking to others, they have gotten small shipments and they said their chicks arrived alive and were healthy.

I did have these vaccinated for Marek's. Could the vaccine be the problem? Or is it just a delayed death due to shipping? So sad for my babies.

 

[krystlehg]

I just picked up my Meyer shipment. 4 out of 5 were dead. I made my husband open the box because after reading this post last night, I was affraid. I called and they were very apologetic and told me to call them back on Friday if my little one didn't make it. They said I had a choice between replacement or refund. So sad...

 

[Eepster]

That is so sad! I am glad I didn't order so few last time I got them. They should really raise the minimum to 15 or something.

 

[dealfinder500]

Yes, Meyer includes warmers in their packages. They insure the shipment (but the shipping is expensive so I'm sure the cost is passed on to the customer). Our fourth chick is not doing well. She was able to walk last night but now can't. I dipped her beak in water and she did drink. One leg is behind her and she is silently "peeping" - mouth opening and closing. I think she's going to die. Not sure if I should ask for a refund or if we should try another shipment. Talking to others, they have gotten small shipments and they said their chicks arrived alive and were healthy.

I did have these vaccinated for Marek's. Could the vaccine be the problem? Or is it just a delayed death due to shipping? So sad for my babies.

It's not the vaccine. I would say it's the shipping. It's a very stressful thing for them, and when only a few are shipped they tend not to do well. 15 or more chicks provides warmth and cushioning.

Check on craigslist and see if anyone is selling chicks.

 

[leahlefler]

Our fourth chick died last night. So we have a total loss. It was walking around yesterday, but not much. Then stopped being able to walk and was just opening and closing its beak. Dead this morning. I called Meyer and they said they are going to replace the chicks. They said they don't usually lose them, even in smaller shipments - but we will see. I also wonder if they were sick with something. I'm going to sterilize the brooder just in case. If the replacement batch doesn't make it, I will source locally (I found a feed store that will get some in on August 7).

 

[Eepster]

That is just aweful! Nothing is as sad as losing a baby. I know because one time I had a chicken go broody and one day I found one of her chicks dead. It was so sad!

 

[krystlehg]

Our fourth chick died last night. So we have a total loss. It was walking around yesterday, but not much. Then stopped being able to walk and was just opening and closing its beak. Dead this morning. I called Meyer and they said they are going to replace the chicks. They said they don't usually lose them, even in smaller shipments - but we will see. I also wonder if they were sick with something. I'm going to sterilize the brooder just in case. If the replacement batch doesn't make it, I will source locally (I found a feed store that will get some in on August 7).

Don't know how they can say this doesn't happen often when I'm experiencing the same thing. Hmmm....my little survivor seems ok now. Walking around and eating and drinking. I'm going to keep a close eye. I'm sorry your last one didn't make it. did they say how soon you would get your replacement?

 

[leahlefler]

Don't know how they can say this doesn't happen often when I'm experiencing the same thing. Hmmm....my little survivor seems ok now. Walking around and eating and drinking. I'm going to keep a close eye. I'm sorry your last one didn't make it.

did they say how soon you would get your replacement?

We are heartbroken. I hope the replacement shipment is OK. Our little survivor barely woke.. slept almost constantly and was very wobbly on her feet. Then stopped walking altogether. Didn't want to eat or drink.. so whatever happened to the others obviously caused her death as well, it was just delayed.

Meyer has Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks hatching on Monday, so we will get our replacements on Tuesday. We added in a meal maker to make it a shipment of 5. Anxiously waiting for them to get here, with Sav-a-chick in hand (and probiotics).