Baby Chickens for Sale in Homestead, Iowa
Baby Chickens for Sale in Homestead, Iowa
Baby Chickens in the Mail? Be Warned!
Cardboard box used by Murray McMurray Hatchery to ship baby chicks.
Well, here is something I am never going to do again. I have always been leery of ordering chicks online and getting them delivered by the US Postal Service. It just seemed odd to me to get fragile baby chicks delivered in the mail. However, this time I relented because I wanted to get a very rare breed (Dorkings) and they are rarely available from local sources. So, I called up Murray McMurray Hatchery in Iowa and made my order. Because of the fact I was ordering them in winter, I had to get a minimum of 25 chicks (apparently because they huddle together for warmth, and the more, the merrier). So, I ended up ordering 5 Dorkings, 10 Partridge Rocks, and 10 Golden Laced Wyandottes. I ordered them in November, but Murray McMurray informed me they couldn’t ship until January (probably has to do with their hatching schedule). Despite the fact I ordered two months in advance, they called me up in early January and told me that the Wyandottes would not be available, and they wanted to delay shipment for a couple weeks. I asked for a substitution instead of a delay and they offered me 10 Dominiques, which I accepted.
Eventually, the chicks were shipped on time and I was notified by text and email (as I requested) which was very convenient. Then all hell broke loose. At 5 in the morning someone from the Post Office called me (my cell phone number was on the outside of the box). He would not reveal his name, as he said he would be fired for calling me, as he was “just a schmuck that loads the trucks” and shouldn’t be doing this. At any rate, he said he had my chickens and they were going to freeze on the truck. He instructed me to call a number to the Post Office in Manchester, NH and request that the driver put them in the heated cab. I did call the number, but the clerk there told me they already shipped.
Later that day, I got a call from my local post office that my chicks had arrived. I headed down there to get them, but in the interim… they had been calling me repeatedly. It would appear the well-meaning Post Office employees had opened the box to try to give the chicks water (probably letting all their body heat out in the process). They also drove them to my house (I am at work) as I am pretty close to the office, and no doubt they sat in a cold car both on the way there and back. I wish the box was labeled with instructions on what to do (keep warm, don’t feed, etc). The fact is that a box full of peeping chicks is just irresistible to curious mail-people and no doubt they thought they were helping me. The net result was I had a box of dead and half dead chicks. However, inexplicably, there were only 20 chicks. Apparently Murray McMurray did not have any Dorkings (the entire reason I made this order in the first place!) and just shipped the other 20 without asking me, but they did credit my account the difference.
I tried to revive as many of the survivors as I could under a heat lamp… a couple limped around for a day or two, but eventually died. As you can imagine this was heartbreaking for everyone associated with Swampy Acres, and no doubt, the Hampstead Post Office. As of this writing, I have only one survivor out of 20. I had to go buy a few more chicks at the local grain store, as you can’t raise a solitary chick. I called Murray McMurray immediately and they were very understanding. They offered to ship me out an entire new batch (just on my word that all this happened) in February. I said.. let’s wait until spring. So April 7th, I will get a new batch.
Baby chick survivor and friends.
All in all, from this experience, I can’t recommend ordering chicks via mail in the winter. The combination of freezing temperatures and the fact that the Post Office employees have no idea how to deal with baby chicks, seems like a recipe for disaster. I will say Murray McMurray did a pretty good job helping me. They didn’t get stressed out or make me fill out a bunch of forms. it was easy to get someone on the phone. It was a plus that I spoke with an American rather than a help desk in Burma… always great if I can conduct business in English.
So in summary, be very careful when considering chicks by mail! Swampy Acres has not had success on the first attempt.
Baby Chickens Buy in Homestead, Iowa
We have many Rare Chicken Breeds for sale in Homestead Iowa, including Sussex Chickens, Welsummer Chickens, Turken Chickens and more. Be sure to check out the Bargain Specials, as you can combine different egg layers in smaller amounts and buy as an assortment. Homestead Iowa also has poultry equipment for sale, game chickens for sale in Homestead Iowa, bantams for sale, ducks for sale, geese for sale, turkeys for sale, guinea for sale, peafowl for sale, pheasant for sale, chukar partridge for sale, bobwhite for sale, many different breeds of baby chicks for sale in Homestead IA.Baby Chickens Bedding in Homestead, Iowa
Thumbing through a baby chickens for sale in Homestead Iowa catalog is a yearly traditions in many houses. My kids and I eagerly await the Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog. We love looking at all the cool and different chicken breeds available. Catalogs are free so head on over to their site and request one if you are interested.Typically hatcheries online offer both standard breeds
and bantams. Bantams are fun hardy little chickens, they lay tiny eggs
that kids especially love collecting. Bantams typically weigh less than 2
pounds when full grown. Just like ordering anything online there are pros
and cons to ordering baby chicks online. Pros of buying baby chicks in
Homestead Iowa * Big Selection - If you are wanting a large
variety of different chicken breeds and egg colors, you will find the best
selection at an online hatchery. * Both Bantams and full sized chickens
available * You get to choose what sex you want. If you want a mixture of
both male and female then choosing a "straight run" will save you money
and you will get a mixture of male and female chicks. You can also choose
all males or all females too. * Weekly specials. Hatcheries have sales on
chicks, you are likely to get a good deal if you are flexible with the
breeds you are wanting. Cons of buying baby chicks in Homestead
Iowa * Order early to get the best selection. Certain breeds sell
out fast, sometimes as early as 6 months in advance of shipping! If you
are wanting a certain breed it's best to order your chicks in the fall
before their orders sell out.
Baby Chickens Hatchery in Homestead, Iowa
Quantity - you must order a certain number of chicks. Typically hatcheries will require you buy a minimum of 25 chicks at a time. The number is necessary for the chicks survival during shipping. All 25 chicks are put in one small box without heat. They are crowded in the box and produce enough body heat to arrive in good shape. * The wait - If you choose to buy chicks from a feed store you will have them the same day but if you choose to go with a hatchery you have to wait until they are ready to ship and then wait for the chicks to arrive. Ordering baby chicks online in Homestead Iowa is easy and has always been a very pleasant experience of me. It can be a little frustrating waiting for the chicks but it's so worth the wait. When the post office calls and you hear all those little "cheeps" or "chirps" in the background you'll know the wait was worth it! How to Care for your new baby chickens in Homestead, Iowa Baby chicks are extremely cute and also difficult to withstand, yet it's ideal to prepare for their arrival before you obtain them. Prepare initially by gathering not just the right materials, but likewise the proper understanding to care for them. Raising baby chicks is fairly easy, you simply have to offer them with the following: A tidy and also cozy habitat Lots of food and also water Focus and also love Environment Your habitat could be a straightforward box, aquarium, pet cat carrier, or guinea pig cage. Line it with old towels as well as coverings (with no loose strings!) to start, and also after a few weeks make use of straw over paper. Keep in mind: Avoid making use of only paper or various other slipper surface areas-- or your chicks legs could grow misshapen. You also need something to provide food and also water in, such as a chicken feeder as well as water meal from the feed shop, or a pickle jar lid for food and a pet dog bird water dispenser from an animal store. Likewise, as the chicks age you could present a perch right into the environment to get them educated on perching. Heat To keep your chicks heat you should supply them with a warmth source. This could be as straightforward as a 100 watt light bulb in a reflective clamp style light from an equipment store, or an infrared reptile warmth light bulb likewise function effectively (my suggestion). Chicks require this heat 24/7 up until their downy fluff is replaced with feathers (which could take up to two months). The newly hatched need a temperature level in between 90 as well as 100 levels, and weekly this could be lowered by around 5 levels or so. The heat source need to be on simply one side of the cage to permit chicks a variety of temperature levels. The chicks are your best thermostat- if they are concealing in the contrary corner of your heat light, you need to decrease the temperature level. If they are surrounding each other under the warmth (not merely curling up), you have to put some heat. Home cleaning Tidiness is vital and also it maintains your chicks healthy. Be sure to transform the bed linen typically and consistently supply clean food and water Food and also water. Chicks grow very quickly which calls for plenty of tidy food and water. Supply sufficient at all times as well as check frequently to prevent dehydrated and starving chicks. Chick food is different compared to grown-up chicken food, and it comes in both medicated and non-medicated selections. Feed chick food for the first two months, then change to a raiser food (~ 17 % protein) for another 2 months, and after that to a slightly lower protein feed or a layer feed (if you have levels). Dirt Some chicks want to obtain a running start on taking dirt baths, while others will not take up that activity till they are older. If you have the room in your chick enclosure, introduce a tray of sand or filth for them to bathe in. Attention and love There are a couple of advantages to spending time with your chicks. First of all, they will more than likely bond with you and also not flee as grownups. Second, if you analyze your chicks daily and see their habits, you could catch health problem or other problems previously. Keep an eye out for hissing, hopping, or various other unhealthy signs. Make sure to additionally take a look at their poop, as diarrhea can result in matted feathers and also clogged up cloaca. Finally, it is very important to watch out for social concerns, such as the tiniest chick getting picked on. Vacant nest syndrome So your chicks are now completely feathered as well as its time for them to leave the safety of your residence and move outside into a coop. Look into our area on chicken coops to read more about coops and proper cage environments.Baby Chicks Online Baby Chickens 101
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