So when your mail order chicks arrive dead....

[Nyxish]

i got the call that my chicks were at the post office this morning at 6, toddled right down to get them. Of the 8 chicks i ordered, 5 were dead on arrival, and 2 of the survivors are kinda iffy (and probably pretty traumatized).


What is reasonable to expect from the hatchery? i understand that small batches especially are prone to some mortality rate, and i did actually order one extra as an attempt to be....realistic. i understand that shipping chicks is kind of risky. But losing over half seems ... very bad.

i am trying to separate my emotional disappointment and be reasonable. They hatchery has a 48 hour guarantee that obviously the ones that didn't make it will fall under... so they will replace the birds once they become available again if i want (or just refund my money), and then it is reasonable to expect me to pay all the shipping again? (since it's small batch shipping it's $30+ - more actually than the cost of the birds.) Can i ask for a discount there or is that very unfair/not going to happen because they have no real control after the birds leave their possession?

Just looking for a reality check while i am waiting for a call back. TIA



Update: i did finally hear from the hatchery, and am feeling pretty mollified. They are checking to see basically what of my order they can replace immidiately, and then will call to discuss substitutions, and ....we will try one more time.

Thank you 3riverschick for the suggestion on the nutridrench. Of the 3 survivors, now 2 are up and about and doing fine, with only one still worrying me.

 

[3riverschick]

Meanwhile you need to deal with the travel stress the other 2 chicks are experiencing.
Here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/746509/how-to-deal-with-travel-stress-in-baby-chicks
Best Success,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry! The hatchery should have a written policy in their catalog, and the hatcheries I have used have done everything to rectify any issues. I've never ordered a small number of chicks, and haven't ever had losses in those numbers. Call them immediately! Mary

 

[Nyxish]

Thanks for the tip on the poultry stress and treatment - i'll pick up a bottle of that today on my way to work. So far the 3 survivors seems to be doing ok. (Alight, one is just totally unfussed by anything but i'm still worried about the other two). They are snuggled in under the warmer, and seem to be getting a bit more alert. And talkative.

i did call, and left a message requesting a call back, as well as an email.

As i said, the hatchery has a refund/replace policy, i think i'm just wondering about (or maybe i'm just being cranky about) the shipping for replacing the birds that died. That may just be what it takes tho, and i will need to suck it up or not add to the flock this year.

Just really sad. i was really looking forward to their arrival. Not exactly the morning one wishes for... :-/

 

[littlekatzz]

Maybe I'm wrong because I've yet yo have it happen to me.. But I though the hatchery sucks up the cost of shipping replacements?

 

[rainbowhatchery]

If you mail order its bound to happen, usually on a small order amount like that the hatchery will just refund your money kinda on a faith based system. They dont want like pictures or dead bodies back or anyting.

 

[Nyxish]

Well, i wasn't going to send them the bodies or pictures or anything, i'm just wondering if it's reasonable for me to ask for a break on the shipping cost of replacements (they will cover the price of the birds themselves) or if that's just something i should expect to pay for...again.

 

[3riverschick]

Demand they give you free shipping. Those dead chicks result in a big time delay for you.
Then wait to see what their counter offer is. They may even give you the free shipping.
Best,
Karen

 

[Folly's place]

I think free shipping is the least they can do... Mary

 

[nkprycl29]

I had one die and offered to send a replacement with 2 other paid because min was 3 birds and they paid shipping so got 3 birds for 6 bucks- we ended up not getting replacement Bc too stressful to worry about shipping again but they were willing to do whatever.