Some confusion, will you all help clear up for me?

[MissouriNewb]

I know that chicks can be sent in the mail. This is due to the yolk giving them nourishment of course. How long exactly do you think after hatching can chicks safely be in the mail?

What if they are older, how can they be sent? Is there a way to give them fluid or foods during shipping?

My bigger confusion is, I know how important brooder temps can be for a healthy chick. How in the world can a bunch of chicks get sent in the mail with no heat? Are companies packing them in a way where the air holes don’t let in the cold, etc?

Would someone please explain the science of shipping chicks to me ?

 

[DobieLover]

I know that chicks can be sent in the mail. This is due to the yolk giving them nourishment of course. How long exactly do you think after hatching can chicks safely be in the mail?

What if they are older, how can they be sent? Is there a way to give them fluid or foods during shipping?

My bigger confusion is, I know how important brooder temps can be for a healthy chick. How in the world can a bunch of chicks get sent in the mail with no heat? Are companies packing them in a way where the air holes don’t let in the cold, etc?

Would someone please explain the science of shipping chicks to me ?

Legally, only day old chicks can be shipped.
Heat packs are typically added if the weather dictates. They are packed rather tight in the box to help retain heat.
I received my 11 chicks last May 3. They were in the mail 3 days. All survived.
However, mistakes can be made by the postal workers and disasters do happen.

 

[SunriseChickers]

After absorbing the yolk chicks can live at least two days without food, it might be more but I forget. I'm not sure about the heat. My six girls came in a little box. There were holes, some grassy kind of thing for bedding, and the chicks. The box was closed securely. I think the chicks all keep each other warm. Mine were only a day old when they arrived and did just fine.

 

[MissouriNewb]

After absorbing the yolk chicks can live at least two days without food, it might be more but I forget. I'm not sure about the heat. My six girls came in a little box. There were holes, some grassy kind of thing for bedding, and the chicks. The box was closed securely. I think the chicks all keep each other warm. Mine were only a day old when they arrived and did just fine.

Makes sense. I am still trying to figure out this heat issue!

 

[MissouriNewb]

Legally, only day old chicks can be shipped.
Heat packs are typically added if the weather dictates. They are packed rather tight in the box to help retain heat.
I received my 11 chicks last May 3. They were in the mail 3 days. All survived.
However, mistakes can be made by the postal workers and disasters do happen.

Wouldn’t the pack after that amount of time lose its heat? Or just added to give warmth for as long as possible?

 

[DobieLover]

Wouldn’t the pack after that amount of time lose its heat? Or just added to give warmth for as long as possible?

The pack was not warm when I picked up my chicks. It is just to help keep them as warm as possible for the trip.
It's one of the reasons you want to get the chicks into a warm brooder ASAP after you pick them up. I went as far as to crank the heat up in my car on the way to the post office.
This is also why I would never have chicks shipped to me when it is very cold or very hot on the path they will take to get to me.

 

[Dream Gold Farm]

I just received 5 CCLB'S a week and a half ago from California to Arkansas. Took two days and they were packed carefully in a small box with holes. There was a heat pack and two small trays (I assume they had contained food). Also a grassy bedding. All healthy and beautiful.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

Some firms ship extra Cocks-to-Be "for warmth".

 

[Dream Gold Farm]

Feather Lover Farms did include an additional pullet to my order. I just assumed that was to protect against possible loss. BONUS! I know the post office was really excited to see me as my five birds sounded like a full chick choir!

 

[cmom]

@Dream Gold Farm. Often times the hatchery will put in heat packs and some fruit pieces the chicks can peck at. The usual time for the chicks is 3 days. Some hatcheries will pack some extra chicks for more warmth and often times they are sexed as male chicks (packing peanuts). Years ago I shipped chicks but now I only ship eggs.