The Poultry Keeper

Farandawayjo · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject: Delivery of chicks / birds

Bit of a non-starter I think, but do any couriers deliver day old chicks at all? The reason I'm asking is because my Dad wants to incubate eggs and let me have the chicks - he is in Yorkshire and I'm in Aberdeenshire. In the pre-DEFRA days he said you could just post them or send them by rail which I find amazing but he assures me that's what folk did.
I don't fancy a twenty hour round trip if I can avoid it, but did wonder just how do chicks get transported nowadays Question

thelongwayround · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 497 Location: Camborne, Cornwall

Not sure now, but you used to be able to but only at a day old and next day, so as you could get them when they needed feeding.

Wouldn't fancy it myself, would be worried sick until they arrived.

Could he not send you the eggs (much easier) and you hatch them?

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3461 Location: Monmouthshire

Check with whichever rail company about transport of livestock. You can get the proper chick boxes from Ascott. You have a 48 hour window to do it in, from hatch to home. Is there an Aberdeen - London train stopping at York? There used to be something called Red Star for sending goods on specified trains to be collected from a specified station.

hoosier · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:03 pm Post subject:

Can you not just ship them through the postal system? They are routinely sent through the post here - overnight. I have received about sixty chicks in two shipments and didn't lose any.

Fenn · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 2292 Location: Shrewsbury

Do they really still do that in the States, Hoosier? I'd seen it mentioned in books but presumed it was a rarity.
I guess there's no reason why not, so long as the courier knows what they're dealing with.

Farandawayjo · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:29 am Post subject:

I will check with rail companies - worth a try. He wants to hatch the eggs himself, we used to breed budgies together when I was at school and I think it's his way of doing something like it with me again, even though I live so far away from him. We use a courier everyday but when we asked them they said they wouldn't touch them at all as they are not registered to carry livestock.

mcleod-girls · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject:

We usually go down to to Yorkshire in may/june time, i would happily bring some backup for you if that's any use. where abouts is your dad? We stay near wakefield.

My dad used to breed and show budgies too, but I never really liked birds of any description until quite recently, now i love my chickens! Very Happy

Farandawayjo · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:05 pm Post subject:

That's great mxleod-girls! I'll bear that in mind. He is in Bradford / Keithley area but I have an uncle in Outwood, Wakefield. He and my Mum visit a lot but they fly up - as it works out much better for them. He even suggested bringing them as his hand luggage!! Very Happy

Farandawayjo · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

Oops! I meant mcleod! Embarassed

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1443 Location: Leicestershire

I have fairly recently (December) had 10, day old Sassos from S & T poultry, they delivered them as they were passing through where I live, I don't know where else they will deliver to but they are very helpful and caring. Phone number - 01945 585618, 07885718195.
Newly hatched chicks don't need anything to eat or drink for 24 hrs as they as still absorbing the rest of the yolk sac so it's a very safe way of transporting them.

Have fun

Itsybitsy