What to expect when I open the box from the hatchery?

[MydearWatson]

Hi!

So excited to get our first ever little chicks next month. We are getting four. Part of me is worried though. I really hoping to see happy, healthy little chicks waiting for me but maybe that is unrealistic? I'm sure the trip will be stressful, what state do you think they will be in when we get them? I will get them food, water and heat asap of course but is there an adjustment period? How soon before I start looking for sick ones? Any help here as to what I can expect and what I can do to help them adjust would be great!

Thanks.

 

[earnhardtlvr]

I opened my box to 15 lively little fuzz butts! Cold, but all healthy! I put them in the brooder and showed them where the food and water was and they started eating and drinking right away and were running all over the brooder. Then they all passed out! But I have read horror stories on here too...so hopefully u have a happy and wonderful experience like I did!

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

Mine were shipped from Iowa to Alaska. Opened the box and they were all looking at me and running to the other end of the box.
Brought them home, dipped the beaks in water and sprinked some food on the paper towels and they were off and running. About an hour later I went to check on them, at first I though a half dozen were dead from the way they were sprawled out. Turns out they just sleep in stupid positions, they were fine. Had one chick die in the shipment and one on the second day, all the others went along just find and are now laying me a nice bach of eggs every day.

 

[kla37]

Hopefully healthy happy little fuzzbutts. And lots of poop. Good luck!

 

[New2TheCoop]

I got chickens for the first time on 02/17/11 in the mail. The post office will call early or as soon as they get them, as I was standing in line the guy infront of me commented "sounds like baby chickens or something" so I had to explain to the line about ordering chickens off the Internet lol... One thing that may happen since you are getting 4 chicks is there may be more for warmth. I ordered 9 and got 23! But they were all fine. I put them in a medium dog kennel for the brooder, and they did great. Just watch the heat & give them plenty of clean water and clean food.

 

[Hoosierchickens]

We ordered 12 chicks online and got 12 alive chicks in the mail. One was in rough shape the first couple of days but we nursed her back to health and all 12 are doing well at 3 weeks now. I hope your experience goes well too. We used electrolytes in their water for the first week or so. If I had to do it all over again I would probably feed them some mashed up hard boiled egg the first day to give them a little boost from shipping stress since it's a bit easier to digest.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Just got my mail order chicks. 15 Barnevelders and 4 what I believe are feathered-legged Cuckoo Maran roos. All came from Texas to Montana in fine shape.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Hopefully, it will look something like this. Although with four chicks, it won't look quite like this.

 

[MydearWatson]

Thanks for the stories everyone! I have to stop reading the "My chick just died" posts! Freaks me out!

I love hearing these success stories, hopefully we will have the same luck you all did!

 

[off-grid hen]

I'm worried too. I have read so many horror stories of DOA's, or deaths shortly after arrival. I ordered with a bunch of people at work and with the 4H club near me. All of the women there said they've never had problems, but that didn't stop me from having a nightmare about it! I dreamed that everyone's babies (including the ducks, geese, and turkeys) were all fine, except mine, which were all dead.

I have my nursery all set up with my ecoglow brooder, pine shavings, tree branch, feeder, and waterer. I have electrolyte for the water for the first gallon they drink just in case.

I have a few bricks for when they get a little bigger and I need to elevate everything.

MINE ARRIVE ON MONDAY!