Shipment is late! Now what?

[GardeNerd]

This is my first time ordering chicks in the mail. The mailman is a family friend and has been keeping me posted if they show up. They didn't come today, but the email confirmation said they shipped on Wednesday. I'm worse than an expectant parent in my worrying about this!

I am so stressed they will be lots of DOAs. The weather has turned bad to top it off. Does anyone have special tips about extra care if they make it tomorrow after 3 1/2 days in transit?

There is an assortment of 39 chicks in the order. I went in on the order with some other SoCal folks. If the chicks do make it, should I delay letting them take them home with them? Help!

 

[Fresh Eggs]

Put 3 tablespoons of WHITE sugar for every gallon if they had a hard trip! Dont worry, I lost 4, they were weak, the rest are thriving at 2 weeks old.



Best wishes,


Fresh Eggs

 

[GardeNerd]

Thank you for the advice. Did yours spend the extra day in transit?

 

[Indiana hens]

I use Marek's soluable vitamins with Gatorade. Sometimes they have a bad hatch and of coarse they don't feel the need to tell you if that happens! Delay is possible. Computers just work as they are programed

 

[GardeNerd]

Quote:
Marek's? Like the name of the disease?

The hatchery is closed over the weekend. If they aren't here tomorrow, I guess I'll be calling on Monday.

 

[birdbrain2]

sorry to here of your troubles, i just went threw the same thing last week, i lost 13 out of 26. mine were in transit for 4 days. there is not much you can do but get lucky. just make sure you dip their beaks in water and get them eating and drinking. if you don't have anything to add to water like electrolytes i think you can use some peidialyte, not sure how to spell it but the stuff for kids with flu/dehydration. or at least sugar water. and of coarse have your heat lamp set up and brooder at 95 degree's. good luck

oh and don't mean to scare you, plenty of people have had same problem with good results.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

So sorry your babies are lost. I had this happen with my first shipment. They were in the mail almost 4 full days. It was warm then, which I know makes a big difference, but every one was alive when I got the box. I got mine from Ideal today. They were only two days in the mail, but it got VERY cold here right after they were shipped (we have had a very hard frost the past two nights). I had one that I actually thought was dead. I gave her (and anyone else who appeared weak) raw egg yolk as soon as they were warmed up. Within about an hour she (the dead one!!!) was running around the brooder with everyone else. Good luck. I hope your babies are alright.

 

[Dr.Doorlock]

I was lucky enough to find out why the hatcheries have a minimum order. They ship 25 so the chicks can help keep each other warm. I drove 3 1/2 hours to Ideal Poultry to pick up my 8 chicks on Christmas eve. BTW, I named them Cupid, Comet, Donner, Blitzen, Dancer, Prancer and Blitzen. If you can remember the one left out, it perished in the jaws of my dog.

 

[CityClucks]

Poor Vixen.

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I meant to mention, the fact that there are 39 chicks will help a LOT!!! The more little bodies are crammed in there the better. I only had 19 ordered this time and they sent 30. I really think those extra babies helped mine survive the bitter cold.