Shipped Monday no chicks Thursday... :( They are here (friday)

[addicted2chicks]

I am so glad I used the hatchery I did. Townline I ordered 100 chicks, they sent 104, in the 3 1/2 weeks I have had them I have only lost 3. I am still ahead 1 chick. I did give about 16 away and they didn't lose any of those so still at 101 live chicks and only paid for 100. Their shipping cost was not bad either. I also ordered 20 guineas from them, didn't lose one of those. I am very impressed with them and if they have the breed I am wanting I will always order from them first.
And of those 3 chicks we lost, we culled 1 of them.

Farrier, have you talked to the hatchery yet? Are they going to resend chicks or refund you?

 

[pips&peeps]

How did they ship the birds? Priority or express?

Is there a tracking number on the box? If there is, I would check and see where they went.

I would never purchase chicks from any hatchery that does not ship birds express mail.

 

[the_great_snag]

Quote:
Be careful saying things like this. You give ammunition to the P*TA crowd who want to shut down mail ordering poultry.

It's unfortunate that things like this happen to any living creature for no good reason, but we have to put this in perspective. The VAST majority of mail ordered chicks arrive safe and sound at their destination and provide their owners with eggs, meat, and/or companionship, sometimes for many years.

At this time of year all the hatcheries are swamped with orders and they are dealing with an extremely perishable commodity. I don't know if you all have ever worked on a shipping dock, but it's a hectic job under the best of circumstances, let alone when you are swamped with MUST SHIP baby chicks that all have to go out TODAY!!

Mail ordering chickens is a GREAT thing. Mistakes occur... I would work with the hatchery to try to figure out what happened and allow them to compensate you for your losses appropriately.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

farrier! :

I have not counted yet......I figured if I wait for a few hours I might not be so depressed.
Guessing that right now about 1/2 of them.
Tough litter critters, they feel like nothing.....

This happened to me this week, too. I ordered them on Monday and they got here on Thursday morning, though. I knew some were dead by the smell. I know the P.O. was happy to move that box out the door.

Who did you order from? I ordered mine from Cackle Hatchery and was very disappointed.

Five were dead when they arrived. One was actually decomposing already, so my husband says that one had to be dead when shipped. One was actually laying in the bottom of the box, still trying to lift its head--nearly dead. It was horrible!!!

Since getting them out and immediately taking care of them, I finally stopped counting how many more have died. I just buried 2 more today and a bunch of them died yesterday. I'm down by at least 1/3 of my shipment now and so unhappy!!​

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Well said. And let's also remember that it was the USPS that had them for 4 days, not the hatchery. And the USPS also, by and large, handles these shipments just fine.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Farrier, I'm glad yours finally arrived, I hope you are able to keep the remaining chicks going.

Mom2chicksandpups, sorry you are having such a crummy experience. This should be a happy time.

Although I know most orders arrive quickly and most do well this has made me decide that I'll just keep getting mine from the feed store. At least I can go down there and pick out chicks that look strong and seem to have made the trip from the hatchery ok. I only got 8 this year but no fatalities.

Good luck and here's to happier days ahead for you guys.

 

[toyzbox]

Farrier, I'm so sorry for your loss. You and Columbiacritter are having the same problems I think. Hang on and do your best.
For what it's worth The Great Snag is right. I think they really do their best or they woudn't be in biz very long. Some would say "Their just chickens" or "These things happen, you better get used to it" And that might be right but it doesn't help much right now. I think everyone is pulling for you both and all your babies. I know I am

 

[columbiacritter]

Quote:
"They are just Chickens" "They are just going to be eaten."

Both true, but they are my chickens, my fuzzies, my responsiliblity once that box is in my hands. Whether they are meaties or pets I treat every chick with the same care and kindness and am devastated when something happens to them.

Yesterday I held it together until one little grey I had hoped would make it passed. My husband had already taken the bulk of the carnage out to bury in our meadow so I took this last little out to the orchard. I bawled my eyes out over a few ounces of fuzz because he was mine and I failed to give him a good life.

 

[I LOVE COCHINS]

Quote:
"They are just Chickens" "They are just going to be eaten."

Both true, but they are my chickens, my fuzzies, my responsiliblity once that box is in my hands. Whether they are meaties or pets I treat every chick with the same care and kindness and am devastated when something happens to them.

Yesterday I held it together until one little grey I had hoped would make it passed. My husband had already taken the bulk of the carnage out to bury in our meadow so I took this last little out to the orchard. I bawled my eyes out over a few ounces of fuzz because he was mine and I failed to give him a good life.

I understand your feelings

And I agree 100%. These little lives are in our hands and it's up to us to take care of them to the best of our ability. So sorry for your loss.

 

[Nostalchic]

Quote:
Well said. And let's also remember that it was the USPS that had them for 4 days, not the hatchery. And the USPS also, by and large, handles these shipments just fine.

And these are chicks that are going to (relatively speaking) exceptionally caring homes - to put this in proportion, we would have to also think about/factor in the chicks going to factory farms/battery cages where there is NO concern for their welfare that is not based on profit/loss. Many of us are doing this backyard chicken thing - at least in part - to avoid contributing to that hideous reality. So while it's gut wrenching to think about "our babies" out there waiting to be delivered, in the long run it is the kinder option. I'm hoping your chicks do well and pay you back for all the anguish you've suffered the last few days - I think they will!