Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chicks are shipped via the United States Postal Service (USPS) with Special Handling. The
USPS tells customers to expect two to three days for shipment and to also ship live animals at
the beginning of the week — that way animals are not stuck at a post office during the week-
end with no food or water. Take into account current weather conditions as well. Many
hatcheries will not ship chicks in extreme conditions, including heat and cold. Your chicks
probably will be shipped in a special, vented box, and you will need to schedule a time to pick
them up at the post office. Most hatcheries will give you an estimated arrival date and will
contact you when your eggs or chicks are scheduled to arrive. At the post office, open your
new box of chicks to ensure they are alive. Be sure you understand the online hatchery's
policy on chicks that do not survive the journey, and if needed, file a claim with the post of-
fice if you think the birds were mishandled. A good seller will have details on their policy re-
garding transport and what the compensation is in this event.
If you prefer to get your chicks in person, go to your local co-op, farm, farmers market, or
some pet stores to get your birds. Most of these places have chicks available in the spring, es-
pecially around Easter. Be sure to examine the condition of the pen at the store. If the pen, wa-
ter, and feed are dirty or if there are any dead chicks in the pen, do not purchase your chickens
from that store. The chicks' health already might be compromised from a poor start in life. It
is important to check the vent of the chicks. If there is any fecal buildup, the chicks might be
harboring a disease.
Chicks are cute, fluffy, and ready to be a part of your family. Babies need a different blend of
food and lots of water. After the first few days of life, they will need a starter mash, which
provides extra nutrients as they grow. They also need a heat source such as a heat lamp.
Chicks are still adjusting to temperatures outside the egg and the incubator, and they need heat
to stay warm to remain healthy.
If you receive your chicks as opposed to hatching them, be sure you have a warming box
ready to put them in. Traveling will have created some stress for the birds already, so it is im-
portant to make their transition to their new home as comfortable and seamless as possible.
Immediately put the chicks in the warming box, which should be 90 degrees F. A small, key
ring thermometer is easy to attach to the box and will provide a quick reference so you can
monitor the temperature throughout the day. If you do not have a box prepared, put the birds
in an open box in your oven. Keep the oven light on, and keep the temperature at 90 degrees
F. You do not want to bake your birds. Set up your box with a heat lamp, bring the temperat-
ure up, and promptly transfer the chicks to their new home.
