Worried about mail order chicks with usps slow service

[Nksg75]

Hi there,
I am not new to ordering chicks, it’s just has me concerned with all the slowing down of the USPS shipments this last year or more.
I am in south Texas, so in the past I have ordered from Ideal, and not had problems. I was a little nervous last year when I ordered from Ideal, so I just drove there and picked them up myself.
I have also ordered from Cackle Hatchery(In Missouri) years ago, and loved the variety.
I really wanted to order the Cackle surprise this spring, but with USPS slowing down all the delivery times on regular packages, it has me a bit concerned that I may not have many survivors.
Has anyone who has ordered chicks notice longer ship times?

 

[nuthatched]

I live in Arizona, far away from the chick producing heartland, I've never had a slow order. They usually get here before tracking catches up.

 

[thecatumbrella]

My March 2025 order took over 48 hours to get here, and my chicks absolutely suffered for it. One was too weakened and didn't survive the night (even with support). I placed another order in May and those chicks arrived within 24 hours, no losses.

Point being, every shipment is a gamble. If you're in a position to pick up direct from the hatchery, or from your local farm store, do it. If you really need/want a specialty breed from Cackle, be prepared for losses (ie. don't bring the kids to the post office for pickup).

Best of luck!

 

[citychickies123]

We ordered the egger assortment from Tractor Supply and it was SUPPOSED TO BE 1-2 day shipping. They were shipped priority mail and took 3 days to get to us. I was livid! We were so lucky that none of the babies died and 6 1/2 weeks in we still have all 10. Priority mail is now like 2-5 days shipping so if you order, keep this in mind. Hatcheries need to change their shipping if they still use priority mail. I will not be ordering online again unless they specify overnight shipping or guaranteed 1-2 day shipping. It irritates me that they care so little to use slower shipping and even more so that it also put me as being part of these babies suffering.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Meyers change their shipping cut-off on shipping day.i live in WA state. Mailed on Monday, I would get chicks on Wednesday, but with the new hrs the only thing changed on my end is when they arrive in spokane on Tuesday. I still get them on Wednesday.

 

[gimmie birdies]

Last year I did lose a batch when I ordered in Dec. They had a lot of snow, and had to wait over night in Cleveland, then planes could not fly, so they drove them to stay a night in Cincinnati. And I got the box on Thursday, but they were all gone. My replacements came the following week, all well and the Temps there were 48 so go figure.

 

[Nksg75]

Yes, i was afraid of this.
I kind of figured that if they (USPS) cant handle priority next day shipments in 1 day, then they certainly wouldn’t get priority shipping on time.
I am not going to drive to MO to get them, so i guess i will stick with Ideal poultry and just drive there.
On another note:
Has anyone noticed yhe prices for chicks this year??
Wow!! They are steep!!