What is a Packing Peanut?

[blbgp]

I see them referred to a lot on here, but it's not in the Chicken Glossary section. I am assuming it's an extra "surprise" chick you get when you order via the mail, but I could be totally wrong with this....help a newbie out!

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Most of the time they are just extra roosters that a hatchery puts in a small order to help keep the chicks warm and keep company. Though sometimes they will be females.

 

[Schultz]

They are extra chicks the hatchery puts in so there is enough body heat for the chicks to survive their journey. They are almost always roos

 

[bethandjoeync]

sometimes when you order chicks from a hatchery they will through in a few "packing peanuts" or extra chicks that you didn't pay for, to help take up some of the extra space ( I think that's the reason anyways). but that's what they are, extra chicks in a shipment ordered from a hatchery

 

[blbgp]

Interesting. Thanks everyone!

 

[hikerchick]

I kept my last batch of packing peanuts. They are 4 partridge rock roos. Adorable.

Just need to buy more hens to go with them.

 

[blbgp]

OK, here's a stupid follow-up question....

How do you know whaich are the ones you ordered and which are the packing peanuts? Are they always obviously different colors/breeds? Or do they sometimes come with a packing label of sorts...?

 

[hikerchick]

Quote:
You post them on here and have people speculate and identify them for you!

 

[Judy]

Some hatcheries will mark the chicks for you, but usually only if you ask them to. This might be by means of a label on a section of the box, if there are enough of one type, or a bit of Sharpie type marker on the head. Some you can tell by chick markings (Feathersite has great chick photos.) And yes, in the end, you may wind up posting photos here.