Waiting on Mail order Chicks

[DobbieGSD2025]

Has anyone had recent history with receiving chicks through the mail? I ordered from a hatchery in MD I am in NH. They were shipped Monday 04/06 4:40pm next tracking update was they were at the hub in MD 04/07 at 4:30pm and nothing since. I paid for usps priority express and am just getting worried with no updated tracking and them still not arriving at my post office…. I’ve called my post office Tuesday morning (04/07) and this morning (04/08) and they still haven’t received them. I called the hatchery aswell this morning had to leave a voicemail and haven’t heard back. I’m just getting worried that time is running out and there’s no updated tracking.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It can take 3-4 days for an order to reach me. They aren't good at updating the tracking. I would expect you to get the call tomorrow morning. Sometimes I get a call the day before from a PO further from my home asking if I want to come fetch them or let them sit all night. We always fetch them. Things changed a few years back when a lot of PO's were closed which was unfortunate.

 

[WishingStar]

Hopefully they arrive soon, maybe later today? Ours have always arrived early morning. The post office should call when they arrive.

 

[DobbieGSD2025]

It can take 3-4 days for an order to reach me. They aren't good at updating the tracking. I would expect you to get the call tomorrow morning. Sometimes I get a call the day before from a PO further from my home asking if I want to come fetch them or let them sit all night. We always fetch them. Things changed a few years back when a lot of PO's were closed which was unfortunate.

yeah, Thursday would technically be day 3. This is my first time ever shipping ive always gotten locally so I'm a little nervous. Have your chicks been okay with being in the mail for 3-4 days?

 

[DobbieGSD2025]

Hopefully they arrive soon, maybe later today? Ours have always arrived early morning. The post office should call when they arrive.

I don't have much hope for today my post office is smaller and from what they told me they get an early morning truck and a late morning truck and unfortunately the chicks weren't on either truck. I wish usps was better at updating tracking so I could at least see where they are...And yes, my post office has my number and told me they'd call as soon as they get them, I'm hoping they come early tomorrow morning. But I've now also emailed the hatchery as well so they can be aware I still haven't received them hoping maybe they can look into it too.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

yeah, Thursday would technically be day 3. This is my first time ever shipping ive always gotten locally so I'm a little nervous. Have your chicks been okay with being in the mail for 3-4 days?

The only problems I had was with the tiny d'uccle chicks. It was too much on them. Other bantam breeds did fine. Just make sure you have either sugar water or an electrolyte in the water to give them quick energy, as some arrive with low blood sugar. I personally have always done a teaspoon of brown sugar to a quart of water for the first day or two. Dip beaks to get them started.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I also live in a small town. I've had successful deliveries with few losses. But I've found a way to guarantee almost 100% success. There's a bigger city about 30 miles from us. When I order, I tell the hatchery to deliver to that town, my name, Special Delivery, with my phone number on the box. That PO then calls me early in the morning when they receive the chicks, rather than putting them on a truck to my town - if they did that I would not get them till the next morning. As soon as I get the call, I turn on the heat lamp over the brooder and put warm sugar water in the waterer. I then go to the PO, pick up the chicks and drive them home in my nice warm car. Doing it this way I almost never lose a chick.

 

[DobbieGSD2025]

I also live in a small town. I've had successful deliveries with few losses. But I've found a way to guarantee almost 100% success. There's a bigger city about 30 miles from us. When I order, I tell the hatchery to deliver to that town, my name, Special Delivery, with my phone number on the box. That PO then calls me early in the morning when they receive the chicks, rather than putting them on a truck to my town - if they did that I would not get them till the next morning. As soon as I get the call, I turn on the heat lamp over the brooder and put warm sugar water in the waterer. I then go to the PO, pick up the chicks and drive them home in my nice warm car. Doing it this way I almost never lose a chick.

I never thought of doing that! That's so smart! That is good to know I may do that if I ship chicks again!

 

[DobbieGSD2025]

The only problems I had was with the tiny d'uccle chicks. It was too much on them. Other bantam breeds did fine. Just make sure you have either sugar water or an electrolyte in the water to give them quick energy, as some arrive with low blood sugar. I personally have always done a teaspoon of brown sugar to a quart of water for the first day or two. Dip beaks to get them started.

Good to know. The ones I ordered are Wheaten Ameraucanas and Copper Marans. I do have chick Electrolytes and probiotics to put in their water for when they arrive.

 

[DobbieGSD2025]

Also, little update from hatchery. They said they've noticed USPS are updating tracking less this year and they looked up some shipments that went out with mine and they are showing the same tracking. They also said they packed them with a 72-hour heating pack and plenty of grogel for hydration. They are hoping I get them tomorrow!