The Great Egg Shipping Experiment!

[jbher]

I always ask shippers to mark the box, Please call for pickup with my phone number. Never know when the carrier will be a sub who doesn't know the route, whether my gate is open, whether DH is going to be home, and most importantly, when there has been an error addressing or routing the box and the phone number is the ONLY reason I wound up with the box at all.

Okay good that is what I am going to stick with then. Looks like I'll be making a trip to the PO Wed, Thurs AND Fri next week. They will know me pretty well before next weekend hits! I will be the crazy chicken egg lady! Bwahahaha!! "oh geez, MORE eggs!"

 

[Pozees]

That is great news!

Did the shipper leave an Apple in with them or GroJell?

She had given them apple, but what she thought was enough for a couple of days, not 4+. She is as amazed as I am. I give all credit to her for shipping what are obviously very healthy birds. They did well all day, I checked them again when I got home tonight (late) and had company for an hour, by the time I went back out there they had made their way into the coop and were quietly settled in for the night, didn't spook when I opened a door to check on them. I know they can still show signs of stress over the next few days so I will keep a close eye all weekend, and continue Nutri Drench in the water at least one more day, but so far, so good.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I wanted to update you all on the lost Ameraucanas - they finally arrived this morning shortly after 6 am, I went right to the PO and picked them up, had the postal employee cut the zip ties and tape so I could photograph my dead or dying birds. We opened the top and the cock FLEW out of the box - thank goodness no one had the door open! 4.5 days in a box and they appear to be fine. I can only attribute their survival to the excellent health and vigor the breeder breeds for. I gave them sips of water at the PO, brought them home, put them into the coop and run, they scratched around a bit, the cock puffed up for the RIR cock next door, and then they both commenced eating and drinking. They seem quite unbothered by the entire ordeal, unlike me, who needs a week off to recover! I was planning to stay home and keep an eye on them, and DH thought that was a pretty silly idea, so I came to work. He called a little while ago and said they still look fine, and cannot believe it.

I am relieved and amazed.

I am so happy they are alive. Can you still complain just to make a point

 

[Hangtown Farms]

She had given them apple, but what she thought was enough for a couple of days, not 4+. She is as amazed as I am. I give all credit to her for shipping what are obviously very healthy birds. They did well all day, I checked them again when I got home tonight (late) and had company for an hour, by the time I went back out there they had made their way into the coop and were quietly settled in for the night, didn't spook when I opened a door to check on them. I know they can still show signs of stress over the next few days so I will keep a close eye all weekend, and continue Nutri Drench in the water at least one more day, but so far, so good.

Apple Cider Vinegar ( with the mother) would help in keeping them hydrated.

 

[MeanV2]

I am so happy they are alive. Can you still complain just to make a point

Since they did not make it at specified delivery time shipping cost should be refunded!

Dan

 

[Pozees]

Thanks Dan and Jason, I believe the shipper has already requested a refund and has refunded the cost of shipping to me. I have already filed a complaint with the USPS and plan to writ a letter to the Postmaster General.

Jason, you and I must be on the same page, when I cleaned and refilled the waterer I decided ACV would probably be the best thing to add to their water today I have yet to hear the male crow, so I am not convinced they are out of the woods, but they are eating and drinking, found their own way into the coop last night, exited a bit late this morning, but are basically acting okay.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Thanks Dan and Jason, I believe the shipper has already requested a refund and has refunded the cost of shipping to me. I have already filed a complaint with the USPS and plan to writ a letter to the Postmaster General.

Jason, you and I must be on the same page, when I cleaned and refilled the waterer I decided ACV would probably be the best thing to add to their water today I have yet to hear the male crow, so I am not convinced they are out of the woods, but they are eating and drinking, found their own way into the coop last night, exited a bit late this morning, but are basically acting okay.

sometimes with older birds being shipped it can take a week for them to settle in. I had a trio of Empordanesa shipped to me and then a replacement rooster after A Red Tailed Hawk got the other one. Seems to me if memory serves me correct It took them a week to settle in a start acting normal. As long as they make a little more progress everyday thats a good sign.

 

[TeacherMedic]

We ordered some new hens from a hatcher they were said to be 16 to 22 weeks old. They must have been over that, as they are already laying. When we got them from the 5 of them we found 3 eggs in the box they were shipped in. They were each in an individual section of the box, so we know that at least 3 of them were laying when we got them. They have been with us for a couple of weeks now and they are settling right in with the rest of our flock.

 

[ronott1]

We ordered some new hens from a hatcher they were said to be 16 to 22 weeks old. They must have been over that, as they are already laying. When we got them from the 5 of them we found 3 eggs in the box they were shipped in. They were each in an individual section of the box, so we know that at least 3 of them were laying when we got them. They have been with us for a couple of weeks now and they are settling right in with the rest of our flock.

Most hatchery stock start laying eggs in the 16 to 22 week range. Lay early and lay a lot makes money for a Hatchery.

First candling soon on UofA eggs?

 

[TeacherMedic]

Thanks for reminding me. My husband and I will do that today.