The Old Folks Home

[vehve]

Any reason why a dog crate wouldn't work, CC? I'm guessing if they're enough for airlines, shipping companies might approve of them too. You could probably find one cheap on craigslist.

 

[ronott1]

Between computer issues and tons of other things going on, I'm almost 150 posts behind and don't know what I've missed but I'll catch up sometime.
I'm looking for people with recent experience shipping adult LF chickens. I need to ship a trio to GA. The only threads I've found on BYC are from 2008.
I've found shipping boxes for trios from Horizon but they're $150 for 3 boxes (minimum order).
I also found some from FeatherEx on Ebay that are way cheaper.
Not sure why the difference in price other than quality but both are supposedly approved by USPS.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

@Hangtown Farms has had chickens mailed to him within the year.

There are requirements for boxes--including a filter. The boxes from ebay may not have the filter.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks for the thought but I don't think the Post Office will accept that. It has to be a box from a manufacturer approved by the USPS. They want to make sure the box has sufficient ventilation and no escape possible yet to be of sufficient dimensions to allow humane shipment.

Here's the rules.

9.3.4 Adult Birds
[9-3-13] Disease-free adult birds, weighing no more than 25 pounds, may be mailed domestically. Mailers must comply with all applicable governmental laws and regulations, including the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and any state, municipal or local ordinances. Mailings must also be compliant with the guidelines provided in USPS Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter, Chapter 5. In addition, each container or package must be marked as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under 50 CFR 14.
Adult birds are mailable as follows:
a. The mailer must send adult birds by Priority Mail Express in approved, secure containers.
b. The number of birds per parcel must follow the container manufacturer limits and each bird must weigh more than 6 ounces.
c. A mailing container must be used that is constructed by a USPS-approved manufacturer.
d. Indemnity may be paid only for articles that are lost, damaged, or missing contents, and not for death of the birds in transit if there is no visible damage to the mailing container.
e. Postage refunds may not be available if the Priority Mail Express shipment was delivered or delivery was attempted within three days of the date of mailing as shown in the “Date In” box on Label 11.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@Hangtown Farms has had chickens mailed to him within the year.

There are requirements for boxes--including a filter. The boxes from ebay may not have the filter.

Thanks.
I found the mfg. of the ebay boxes. http://www.featherex.com/index.html
They claim to meet or exceed the USPS requirements. Perhaps they saw a market to compete with Horizon since theirs were so expensive.
The FeatherEx boxes are a little bigger too.

 

[casportpony]

This place sells boxes for big birds!
http://pigeon-supplies-plus.myshopify.com/products/swan-shipping-box

-Kathy

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The Horizon box is big enough for the trio but at $50 per box and needing to have to buy 2 extra boxes, that's a concern.

The FeatherEx boxes have a diagonal divider.

"Each FeatherEx box comes with a diagonal divider (20.50” long and 13.5” high with half an inch folding top) to compartmentalize the box and ship many birds at a time. Also, the bottom insert piece (18” long and 10” wide) will give additional thickness and strength at the bottom of the box."

My thoughts are that I could put 2 pullets in one box with the divider and a cockerel in a box by himself. Then strap the 2 boxes together.

When I get multiple packages of bees in the mail, they strap the packages together. Better stability and they don't get separated.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Thanks Kathy.
That's the same manufacturer (Horizon) but much cheaper.


I was just wondering if anyone had experience from the breeder/shipper side.

 

[casportpony]

The Horizon box is big enough for the trio but at $50 per box and needing to have to buy 2 extra boxes, that's a concern.

The FeatherEx boxes have a diagonal divider.

"Each FeatherEx box comes with a diagonal divider (20.50” long and 13.5” high with half an inch folding top) to compartmentalize the box and ship many birds at a time. Also, the bottom insert piece (18” long and 10” wide) will give additional thickness and strength at the bottom of the box."

My thoughts are that I could put 2 pullets in one box with the divider and a cockerel in a box by himself. Then strap the 2 boxes together.

When I get multiple packages of bees in the mail, they strap the packages together. Better stability and they don't get separated.

I think the link I posted is sells the same size box for $33.50?

Swan Shipping Box​

Largest Live Bird Mailing Box - (32”x16”x20” high) 14-16 pigeons, swan, large bantams. Holds up to 35 lbs. of birds. A biologically-secure shipping container for live birds approved by the USPS. It is the largest container the USPS Express Mail service will take. It is easily assembled, and has been tested with up to an 80 lb weight in the bottom and held. Box is specifically designed for your large waterfowl, such as swans or geese. It can also hold up to 14-20 pigeons if complete isolation is not necessary.
$33.50​

 

[perchie.girl]

Between computer issues and tons of other things going on, I'm almost 150 posts behind and don't know what I've missed but I'll catch up sometime.
I'm looking for people with recent experience shipping adult LF chickens. I need to ship a trio to GA. The only threads I've found on BYC are from 2008.
I've found shipping boxes for trios from Horizon but they're $150 for 3 boxes (minimum order).
I also found some from FeatherEx on Ebay that are way cheaper.
Not sure why the difference in price other than quality but both are supposedly approved by USPS.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

all I know is they have to be shipped with a health certificate. Watermellon or mellon of some sort is a good choice for food and water if they are going to be a couple of days in transit Just zip tie it to the box so it doesnt slide about. This is all I know about shipping grown birds.

My postoffice is hilarious. When I went to get my Guinea Keets I asked how often they get animals shipped through them. She said we get alll sorts.. From Crickets to full on Chickens and ducks. I guess Insects are one that is a big one.... Crickets, Roaches, lady bugs, ... And another is snakes.... and reptiles.

Good luck. the post office may be albe to answer some logistics questions for you.

deb

 

[perchie.girl]

I like slicing fresh bread and freezing it. Just pop a slice in a toaster when you're ready to eat it, and you're good to go. Bread usually starts getting a bit iffy after a month or two in the freezer.

I like using frozen bread for making PBJ sandwiches.... the bread holds up better for tough to spread peanut butter. Then Just let it rest about two to three minutes and it defrosts.

frozen bread toasted is excellent because by the time it toasts the inside is thawed and yet the bread isnt dried out.

deb