Chicks lost in the mail - is there any chance they're still alive?

[ChikaInu]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I understand, first hand, how scary and frustrating it is. While my "Disappearing Chicks" story had a tragic beginning, it had a pretty cool ending.

I pre-ordered six chicks from a reputable hatchery. They should have showed up days before Hurricane Irma arrived .. but they didn't. They got caught in the storm prep and didn't get all the way through. After numerous calls, hoop jumping and string-pulling, my chicks were located just two hours away ... at a hub facility that had a three day unloading back-up, temps hovering around (mostly above) 100 degrees F and no provisions for patron pickups.

My local post office staff was wonderful! They called the hub every day for three days. They called me when my babies were on the next incoming truck and again when the truck arrived. It was before opening, but they told me to come right away. I was there in minutes.

I was totally prepared for six dead chicks, but was ready for triage, just in case. I had paper towels, electrolytes, a syringe and a small carrier. The box smelled like "No Hope" and indeed there were long-dead chicks in there. Apparently, Post Office staff are not allowed to open mail, even if it's live (or dying) animals. It was awful and did not bode well for any survivors.

Surprisingly, there were three. One never made it to the house and another hung on for almost a week, but one plucky little blue splash Silkie (one of the order's "filler chicks" of course) managed to beat the odds. She was officially dubbed "Irma" and fought her way through every setback. I lost count of how many times we almost lost her, but she rallied every time, becoming a spoiled rotten House Chick who knew the word "treat," ran from the word "meds" and came to attention when her name was called. She also became a "Herman" ... {{ ... sigh ... }}.

By the time Herman was well enough and big enough to go outside with the rest of the flock, it was dead-winter. The older birds would not accept this furry little stranger and Herman spent his nights outside. With a dangerously wet, icy month forecast, there was no other choice than to bring him back inside.
... and so began the saga of Herman the House Rooster.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/is-there-a-rooster-in-the-house.74089/

Wow. The not-open policy sounds awful! I can't believe that, what a terrible fate for the poor chicks even though you had one make it through.

Over here any other animal than inverts have to be sent by a special animal courier, and that prevents horrible things like that to happen.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Wow. The not-open policy sounds awful! I can't believe that, what a terrible fate for the poor chicks even though you had one make it through.

Over here any other animal than inverts have to be sent by a special animal courier, and that prevents horrible things like that to happen.

In the US it’s a Federal crime to open someone else’s mail, even if there are dying animals inside.

 

[ChikaInu]

In the US it’s a Federal crime to open someone else’s mail, even if there are dying animals inside.

To be honest it might be over here as well - hence the animal couriers.

edit: if anyone tried to send live animals in regular post that would be illegal so I assume OK to open.

 

[ChikaInu]

I just couldn't listen to them dying. The box would be "lost".

 

[tlcmurphy]

I just couldn't listen to them dying. The box would be "lost".

Stealing mail is an even bigger crime
But I agree…

 

[ChikaInu]

Stealing mail is an even bigger crime
But I agree…

I have a feeling whoever was expecting those chicks would not have a problem with it when they came to pick them up.
I hear you, but I just couldn't.

My post office let me into storage after hours (I missed the delivery) when I told them I had live shrimp in there and that they would freeze. That is illegal too, but as soon as they heard they were live creatures it was ok.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

ok. when would you recommend ordering, and what is the usual survival rate? I want to get some Sebright Bantams.

This isn't really related to the thread you're posting in. I guess on the high end, I've lost maybe 30 over the years? But I've ordered well over 100 too over the years, probably closer to 200. I have no idea what your winters are like to even answer the timing question

 

[ChikaInu]

Just crazy that a law against cruelty towards animals wouldn't trumf "not opening mail"... I am sorry but I can't get over it.
Could the post office staff not call out animal protection officers (if they cared enough to do so) over a lost parcel with livestock in it?

 

[Ridgerunner]

what is your opinion on Ideal Poultry?

I've received three different shipments of chicks, one each from Cackle, Meyer, and Ideal. Around 25 chicks in each order. All arrived alive. The only one I lost was about 4 days later when it managed to get out of the brooder away from the heat. That was my fault for having a weakness in the brooder, nothing to do with shipping.

My opinion of all of those chicks (Ideal and others) is that they were hatchery quality chicks.

 

[Miss_Lavransdatter]

Just wanted to post a quick (and happy!) update! The tracking updated this morning, which I didn't notice until noon (the post office did not call as they'd promised to, but oh well). We went to go pick them up fully prepared for 15 dead birds, but were greeted with loud peeping! Only 2 arrived dead and 3 died shortly after bringing them home, so I now have 10 chicks! Which is 10 more than I thought I'd have yesterday. Thanks so much everyone for the sympathy