Can You Really Mail Order Live Poultry?

For people who want to start a new flock of poultry, or bring some new genetic material into an existing flock, there are a number of options for obtaining additional birds. In rural areas, a feed store or farm hatchery will often sell chicks, ducklings, and goslings during the spring, although the available breeds may be limited. For a wider selection of birds, including exotic birds like guinea fowl and peacocks, many people prefer to mail order poultry from a professional hatchery. Mail ordering poultry is very easy, and most companies guarantee live delivery. It is also possible to order fertile eggs for incubation.

When live poultry is ordered, the company usually requires a minimum order. The order fills a small box which is lined with straw, with the birds keeping each other warm through the shipping process. The box is built to be sturdy and provide plenty of air to the young birds, and is clearly stamped with markings indicating that it contains live poultry. Most mail carriers accept live birds as long as they are well packaged and sent via the fastest available delivery method to prevent mortality during shipping. Once the box arrives, the consumer unpacks it with care and sets the baby birds up in a brooder to mature.

In general, live poultry is shipped when it is less than a week old. The hatchery usually offers a sexing service, which is especially valuable which birds which are being raised for eggs. Usually, female birds are priced slightly higher, because there is more demand for them and because sexing them requires more work than simply packaging the birds for the mail. Poultry being ordered for meat is generally not sexed, because the gender of the bird is not important.

The primary reason for mail ordering poultry is to obtain rare or exotic breeds of ducks, chickens, and geese. Many of these breeds become ornamental friends around the barn yard, rather than a source of food. Exotic breeds are colorful, and often have decorative crests or feathers on their feet, along with a distinctive appearance. Chickens, especially, come in a myriad of shapes and sizes which can be quite fun for hobbyists to raise. Teachers sometimes mail order fertilized eggs for their students, and small botanical gardens may use mail order poultry as a source for ornamental species like peacocks and ducks.

Yes, it is legal to mail order live poultry in the United States. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific guidelines for shipping live birds, which include proper packaging and a quick delivery time to ensure the birds' safety and well-being. Hatcheries and breeders must comply with these regulations to ship live poultry.

Live poultry is shipped in ventilated boxes designed to provide adequate airflow and protection during transit. According to the USPS, shipments must be made using Priority Mail Express service to ensure the birds arrive quickly, usually within 72 hours. Additionally, the packaging often includes food and water gel to sustain the birds during their journey.

A variety of poultry can be mail-ordered, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and guinea fowl. Breeders offer a range of breeds, from common laying hens to rare and exotic species. The availability may vary by hatchery and season, so it's best to check with specific suppliers for their current offerings.

While many hatcheries accept orders year-round, the actual shipping of live poultry typically occurs during warmer months to avoid extreme temperatures. Hatcheries often have specific shipping schedules and may only ship on certain days of the week to ensure the birds' arrival before weekends, as noted by experienced breeders and hatchery guidelines.

Before your mail-ordered poultry arrives, set up a brooding area with a heat source, bedding, feed, and water. Ensure the space is secure and at the appropriate temperature, usually around 95 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, decreasing by 5 degrees each week thereafter. Being prepared will help the chicks acclimate and thrive upon arrival.

While reputable hatcheries take great care to ensure the safe arrival of live poultry, risks include potential delays, exposure to extreme temperatures, and the stress of transport on the birds. It's important to order from reliable sources and to promptly pick up the birds upon their arrival at the post office to minimize these risks.