WE GOT BABY CHICKS! .. IT DID NOT GO AS PLANNED.. WHAT WE LEARNED

Hey guys, today we are talking to you about our new baby chicks! We are so excited to have these babies on our homestead, but it has not come without its tragedy. We bought 12 baby chicks from our local farm store and lost 5 within 24 hours. Its been brutal. They were "delayed" in shipping which means that they were kept in an unheated box for an additional 24 hours before arriving to the farm store. We bought them and brought them home and did everything we could, made a slurry of electrolytes and starter feed, syringe fed the extremely weak babies, and none made it anyways.
Today we are talking about how we don't feel the shipping process is humane and how we are disappointed with the lack of care that is given to these babies prior to arriving at the store. I never knew chicks were just shipped like regular mail through USPS.
Either way, we have our babies and will not be buying them like this again, it was just too sad to see them struggle due to poor handling.

[@LawNerdAmber]

One can see the disappointment and sadness in Zacks face especially. Y'all are just good hearted folks and I'm so grateful you share the harsh reality of how this works. If love was all that was needed, they'd have made it.

[@NoYesJess]

Yes. Well said.💛

[@chapplepeach29]

Amen. Exactly.

[@simplymonca]

So very true. These chickens are going to have the best lives with these two. I was so shocked to hear this is how things are done 😢

[@jessicaclaire2509]

The red lamps aren't good for the birds. They need rest. Lookup heating/brooder plates.

[@gonderwoman]

Cute fact: I turned closed captioning on to watch this because I was snacking. When the chicks were chirping, it registered as "Thank you" quite a few times. 🥰

[@chapplepeach29]

Cute!!!

[@EmyEleni]

omg it did!!!

[@aylasaurus]

My stepdad is a driver for USPS and every time he has chick shipments, he sits them in the cab with him instead of the back of the truck to keep them warm :') So sorry that you guys experienced such a traumatic situation with these chicks, y'all are so kindhearted and these chicks are going to have a wonderful life with you guys

[@LadyOfTheFae]

Bless your step-dad ❤❤❤

[@aylasaurus]

@@LadyOfTheFae 🧡🧡 he's a heck of a guy!

[@MelMoy11]

Your step dad is a good person.

[@grettagiesbrecht5772]

I was a farm kid who takes farm knowledge for granted sometimes. We always got our babies from local Hatcher’s. Your building the best life your kid could have honestly. I’m so glad I grew up knowing where my food came from and how to care for animals properly.

[@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574]

Such a better way. Once we started growing some of our food it made us want to try to raise and grow as much as possible. The food industry is so backwards and profit driven it’s insane.

[@grettagiesbrecht5772]

@@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574 it really is! Your channel will open the eyes of so many people who don’t even think about it.

[@sierralambert0915]

We raise chickens. We have forever. We recently purchased 20 baby chickens and lost 3 in the first night. It’s very normal for that to happen! We always get our babies from private owners in our area that raise to sell or we go to our local farm store and purchase them from there, and even doing that and providing them with a stable, warm and safe environment still results in a loss of some. Electrolytes! That’s the best thing to do as you know ❤

[@starlightvampire]

Ugh I love chickens _so_ much 🥺 it boggles my mind that chicks are shipped so haphazardly and carelessly, especially given that I've ordered multiple reptiles online and they are shipped _WAY_ more carefully. Like fully insulated, with warmth, overnight in temp-controlled facilities. That should 100% be doable with chicks. Poor little things. I'm super excited to watch your upcoming coop videos!!!

[@reptilefae]

Came here to say this. Half of our reptiles were purchased online and packaged so beautifully. Granted, there are regulations on shipping them. We only ever had one issue and BECAUSE the breeder had him wrapped so well he survived. Horrible experience. As you know, they HAVE to be overnighted. FedEx postponed it by a day in Washington winter when it dropped below 30 degrees. They refused to stay open at the hub for me to drive the 2.5 hrs to get him when I fully realized he wasn't arriving the intended next day/that day. He's almost 2 now and so perfect. But he was so out of it when we finally got him. Had to very slowly warm him. Anyways, super traumatic experience but without that quality shipping, he wouldn't have made it.

[@chapplepeach29]

Yeah, I've ordered PLANTS 🌱🌿 online with more care than these chicks 👀

[@reptilefae]

Also Paige, I've followed your Facebook art page for some time ❤️

[@starlightvampire]

@@reptilefae OMG what!! Thank you so much!!! ;___;

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

Cool I found my reptile buddies? What kind of reptiles did you guys gets? I get hognose snakes! I love them sooo much 😍

[@ashleynicole_4121]

When Zack rubbed Kristi's back and called her a good momma because she washed the little chick's pasty butt, I died! Sweetest thing ever! Sorry about your girls though.

[@Patti-1962]

Seeing Zack's face made me want to cry. What a barbaric way to treat such small, helpless animals. Thank you for bringing this to our attention!! There was a reason why you guys had to go through this!

[@megamoneyDo]

So sorry you all had to experience the cruelty of shipping baby chicks. Ik the chicks that made it will live their absolute best lives with you! Can’t wait to see how you do the coop!

[@QuietBiscuit]

Also pro tips for egg laying hens: Put a rubber egg where you want them to lay it'll encourage them to lay in the right place and not just in the grass. Any egg shell you have to go in the bin you can feed back to the hens and will help them produce strong egg shells but make sure it no longer resembles an egg (crush into little pieces and mix with other food) so they don't start eating their own egg's.

[@ShadowRayne16]

Thank you for bringing awareness to the many horrors of animal agriculture and our food industry and how livestock is treated.

[@chicall]

My boyfriend does the loading docs for USPS and once they had a box of dead frozen chicks and my bf saw a couple that were barely alive and took them and brought them home and brought them back to life and we brought them to a rescue for them to live on a farm. It’s so sad what live animals go through

[@Kwa182]

I’m shocked to hear this, I had no idea they were shipping poor little babies in boxes like every other package. That’s so horrible. Hope something changes about this in the near future. Thank you for enlightening everyone. But I hope the chicks you have will make it and have a good life! They’re too cute!❤

[@honeyandmud]

becoming aware of the ethics behind things we don’t ever think about is such a rude but necessary awakening. i’m glad you guys have learned something through this, and appreciate you filling all of us in on the reality of it too.

[@HighLadyoftheSpiteCourt]

I'm so sorry you guys experienced this traumatizing situation. Thank you for bringing attention to it.

[@whoopsydaisy6389]

I was about to leave a similar comment. Stores that sell mail in chick's are rarely a good option and it's such a tough lesson to learn.

[@MissBetsyLu]

@@whoopsydaisy6389 most of us don't have hatcheries close ! !

[@darla7911]

My pregnant self is crying. So sad, y’all did THE best you can and y’all are doing amazing.

[@LawNerdAmber]

🫂🫂🫂

[@EssentialEndeavours]

Ugh my heart 😫 I had no idea they treated little baby chickies like that in the mail! Thank you for sharing, whenever we are ready for our chickens in the future we will 100% go local with it! Ugh so disheartening how cruel the world can be and how we normalize that crap…you guys are good people ❤️ love your videos and looking forward to seeing your next one!

[@promisedjubileedaniels]

We LOVED hatching quail!!!!! The difference in size between a chick and a quail is incredible. They are SO tiny! We had to get a special waterer because the regular chick one was too big ☺️ we had to give them up for a season, but now that we have our greenhouse up we're planning on keeping the quail in the greenhouse and grow our frost-sensitive plants in there with them.

[@laurenhexes]

It's heartbreaking the disregard people have for such precious little lives, but I'm sure those little chicks were comforted by yours and Zack's presence in their final moments

[@ofthegirl]

The empathy you guys are showing towards those little chickies ❤️

[@promisedjubileedaniels]

Oh gosh. Rough start. This is EXACTLY why I started hatching eggs. My mom used to get chicks online, and it was SO STRESSFUL. I homeschool my kids, and when my oldest was 9 I decided we could hatch some eggs, and use the experience in our homeschooling. We had a 100% hatch rate, and the chicks went straight from the egg to the brooder, hand-raised by little dudes that adored them, and became SUPER friendly and handleable chickens. I never went back. I hatch our own chicks, and all the other chicks I sell locally so they are always safe and healthy. It's the way I can make a small difference in this situation. I can't stop people from buying shipped chicks, but I can make local chicks easy to buy. I'm so sorry you guys had to go through that. What a nightmare 🥺

[@katiemay1858]

Tip for building your coop as someone who has built their own. Make sure the coop and run is tall enough for you both to walk in. Ours is only 5 ft tall and it makes cleaning to coop and changing out food and water a little more challenging!

[@habeybaby77]

I totally get what you mean about not knowing how brutal is it until you get into it. My parents had chickens shipped to them for the first time and they were told to order more than they want because some are expected to not make it☹️ broke my heart when I learned how common it was and how casual people are about it💔 your chickens are adorbs, ty for sharing💗💗

[@lindsayann9856]

My dad had ordered eggs from an online store and put them in an incubator we have. Only two out of the 12 didn’t hatch… it was just so wonderful to watch them hatch. ❤

[@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574]

This will definitely be what we do next time 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@44LillPuffin]

I know this isn't a nice thing to say but I actually find comfort in how upset zack looks about this. The more people hurt and are horrified about all of this, the more hopeful for change I am. You will see how upset the chickens get when you take their eggs as well.

[@hannahm3126]

I can't bring myself to watch this after reading the description. Please, anyone reading this, there are so many rescues out there with chickens who would love a good home! I know if Kristi and Zack could go back and make different choices they would, so we can all learn for ourselves from this. I'm glad those poor chicks are in a loving home now.

[@Brookerulezz]

Kristie you handled that so well I fully expected a break down over losing those babies. 😭 I'm sorry

[@denasmolins5938]

If anyone could have saved them it was you, thank you for doing your best!

[@whitwillie4052]

Sometimes even if you do everything right, you still lose some. Every time we got our chicks from somewhere like rural king or tractor supply the survival rate isn’t great…. New lesson learned every time! 7+ years of raising chickens and we are still learning 💓

[@sarahtuhro]

It makes me so angry that chickens are so important and do so much for our world...and yet they're constantly treated like trash. But the ones you have are going to have amazing lives, and I'm very excited to see them flourish 🥰😍

[@back.that.Ash.up85]

I miss having chickens so badly! They have the funniest little personalities and I had one that was VERY attached to me and no one else. Probably bc I saved her from getting beaten up by the other chickens by making her own big enclosed area and coop. Once she was healthy she started whooping butts and taking names but would run to the door everytime I came outside. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. They can be tricky, especially with predators around but they really are fun ❤

[@chapplepeach29]

That's so cute

[@laufeymoar]

This comment made me smile 😭

[@meghan5467]

This was the same thing that happened to me when I started with my chickens yeaaars ago. It’s brutal, we eventually just let our girls set on a couple clutches and raised our own. It’s very rewarding and the kids get such a kick out of it when they hatch, as do my husband and I. It’s so precious to see all the babies under the moms. Best of luck you guys, try not to get too discouraged and don’t give up! There’s other ways like we did it or incubators.

[@heatherl3328]

You two are such GOOD PEOPLE, which sounds cheesy but your level of compassion is always so refreshing to watch. Your hearts are pure gold. Your son struck gold when he woke up to you both ❤

[@Figgatella]

Once you get your hens you can raise more from eggs, providing you have a rooster.😁

[@bethsoule]

We got quail last year from a local hatchery. We have loved taking care of them and we are getting more in a few weeks!

[@tigerente13]

I’ve always had best luck buying and hatching local eggs. Much healthier chicks! But the remaining chicks should be ok! I’m sure you have the electrolytes for their water and stuff to help them recover!

[@11JessL]

Build that coop and run quick friends! Those chicks grow fast. We got ours and we’re turning our shed into a coop and man we were not ready for how quickly they outgrew the space we had for them. Before they were feathered we had to put them in our basement in a “cocktagon” hexagon shaped area we made out of baby gates… that were 36inches high… and at less than 8 weeks they were jumping over the gates or roosting ontop. Good luck on your adventure! And consider a larger run! Chickens that wont be free ranging should have a minimum of 10feet per bird of run space.. chicken math is real friends! 😂

[@kristinvera5828]

This is not true for all places. Hatcheries take special care to include food and warmers for a few dollars extra. I have ordered from Meyer Hatchery and Ideal Poultry. I’ve never lost a chick with those hatcheries. Also, make sure you add marbles to the waterers initially so they don’t drown. And start building your coop now bc they grow up fast. There’s a lot of detail and care involved with chickens, which ppl don’t realize.

[@c.m.8590]

You guys are already chicken parents ❤️ we've been raising them for 4 years now and the loses are always sad (even when we planned on eating them.) One thing I wish I'd done beforehand is read up on some common ailments (getting egg bound, their crop getting impacted etc) before we were in the moment trying to figure things out. I can't wait to see the coop! I'm not sure if you guys follow weed em and reap out in Arizona but their chicken coop is decorated so nicely. A different style but they have hanging perches and curtains on their nesting boxes etc.

[@laurelstiwinter6004]

I'm so sorry y'all had to learn the hard way. Rule of thumb if you're gonna buy chicks you pick a reputable hatchery. They will overnight them straight to your post office and you go pick them up first thing in the morning to prevent loss but you have to check the weather and where the chicks are coming from. Ours always came with a heat pad covered in shavings or hay.

[@goosegirl941]

I have ordered chicks (and geese, ducks, turkeys) through the mail for 10+ years with no issue :( I’m so sad for y’all! If you know someone with hens and a rooster that will give you eggs, hatching them can be so fun and rewarding!!

[@hannahbrooks9222]

We started with incubating eggs first and I highly recommend It! It was so fun watching them hatch and I learned a lot from hatching them myself. It’s a lot safer for them too and they come out sweeter and more personable. Y’all should get an incubator and give hatching some a try! I think you’ll be happier with the results. This wasn’t your fault you couldn’t control what environments they’ve been in before they got to you.

[@Melodyloewen]

Yes I’m so thankful I’ve got a local hatchery only 30 minutes away from me so my chicks never had to go through getting shipped. I haven’t lost one yet. Getting them local is the way to go, so I hope you guys are able to find someone close the next time you get chicks. Chickens are a delight to have and your son will love learning to care for them and picking eggs :) best of luck to you guys!!!!

[@sparker1251]

It's a sad reality of getting chicks. You guys did all that you could. We got 8 chicks last spring and now we only have 3, due to various reasons. We have always been told that plan to loose at least half your flock within the first year of their life just due to numerous things. We plan on getting more as soon as our store gets more in stock :)

[@kimrothe]

You should watch Phil and Alex here on KZbin. They are homesteading in Tennessee and they are raising chickens, quails, pigs and have a momma cow and her baby calf. Their channel is about infertility and how they grew their family (2 adopted daughters and 1 daughter they gave birth to). They are homeschooling their daughters and teaching them all about gardening and raising animals. They have had their ups and downs with baby chicks as well, but are doing well. They also have a goose and a dog. You might enjoy watching their older videos from when they first started with chickens. Just thought I'd share them with you, if you are interested :) Hope your baby chicks continue to thrive and you have good luck with the quail eggs.

[@1Jessie88]

One of my favorite artists on Instagram adopts chickens from hatcheries. Since they were stuck in cages they LOVE the sunshine and will sit in it for hours and get sunburnt. It's really hard to watch videos on it because these chickens are in so much distress they pluck all their feathers out and will stay in the open doored hamper you place them in for transport because they think this is how life should be. Getting a couple of chickens like this will save lives💕

[@amandaj773]

People like you remind me that the world isn’t all sad and gloomy. Thankful to have found this safe sanctuary on the internet.

[@iTscHlOeCeE]

You two are such good, pure souls. I appreciate the both of you so much for the kind hearts you hold. Knowing that all of the elements of nature that come into your life are always well cared for is so beautiful to see 🤍

[@NorseButterfly]

I'm glad y'all are going to look local when you're ready for more chick's. I raised ducks from right after they hatched, and they get used to your voices then follow you around like puppies. Not sure if chickens do the same. We live in Tyson country, where the majority of chickens raised are for Tyson, which has a processing plant about 30 minutes from us. There's also an organic farm not far that has 4 or 5 chicken tractors on their property. The chicken tractors are awesome if you have enough cleared land to move the pen around.

[@nadiariggs5110]

Those chicks are blessed to have arrived in your care ❤. For those sweet baby chicks that died though inhumane shipping practices, I’m so, so sorry. People fucking suck. For those chickies who survived, you’ve arrived in Hobbiton💕. Get cozy, cutiefloofs! Welcome to the family!!

[@angelinalah]

The thought of those little babies being shipped in a box is absolutely crushing. 😭

[@CharitySRose]

We just got 12 and I cared for one sweet baby. Sadly we lost her last night. We are now going to start a small hatchery because of how they are treated. They are beautiful creatures. We have 28 adult chickens. We love them so much. If you have chickens you know. Thank you for bringing awareness to this issue!

[@angierose327]

Im so sorry you're dealing with this, I used to have chickens and we always had trouble with ones bought at our local farm store. We ended up researching and discovered all the things you're talking about. We found people locally that we bought chicks from after discovering what the chicks go through during shipping. Good luck with your sweet chicks!

[@jasminelambert3753]

It’s so extra insane to me that this is still how farm stores get their chicks. Like this is how it was when I was a kid in the early 2000’s. I would see the little baby chicks in the farm store and so many of them would be visibly sick (I live in a pretty cold midwestern state) and I learned that they just are not well taken care of at all. I hatched chicks for a science project in 4th grade and it was so fun. Plus you really don’t need the fancy expensive equipment. You can get second hand incubators or even new very basic ones for very low cost. I think that would be so fun once your son gets a little older for him to experience. I know obviously you run the risk of getting some roosters in the mix, but you can always either keep the roosters or give them to a farm or sell them or whatever. I do so admire you for trying to rescue the poor little things. And I’m glad that you have learned so much from this experience and are now sharing that with your audience.

[@kristina3threat]

Oh my GYAAAD they’re so cute!!! I can’t wait to see their little fancy pantaloons when they get older. ❤ They are so lucky to get to live with such good “peeps”!

[@lo5670]

“PANTALOONS” 😭😭😭❤️

[@jesgirl83]

You would think that folks would care more but then think about chickens that are stuffed into cages to lay eggs and have NEVER seen grass. They "retire" these poor ladies that have plucked themselves and each other. It's absolutely terrible!! And it's a very good example of why I buy my eggs local. The specific farm is Sasquatch Mesa Egg Company and their farm is in Silvana, WA. I buy them from the grocery store in Granite Falls. They're cage free, pasture raised, GMO free, corn & soy free, etc. I've seen the farm and I know how well they treat their hens. I now have my whole family buying from them. It's the teensy tiniest bit of a difference but it's something. That and they taste way better!! Farm fresh eggs all the way!! All day, erry day...sorry I'm a dork.😅

[@Sunshine-yw7xr]

Next time don't syringe feed like that, chickens aspirate really easily (they are a little different than other birds). I've learned this the hard way... Protocol ive had the best survival rate with sick chicks: Electrolytes and use a straw... dip straw in fluid, thumb over the other end and put beak up to the liquid. One or 2 drop worth every 1-3 hours, egg yoke is what I offer as food until they perk up.

[@VitexWalker]

You guys are doing great and y’all did everything you could. It’s a learning process and thank you for sharing, a lot of us are learning too.

[@meadowbird]

I’m only 5 mins in but I had to stop and take a breather.. I cannot believe live animals, baby chicks, are shipped like regular mail.. I cannot fathom it. They are living and breathing.. 😭

[@nicoladelle]

I've kept chickens for about a year now and they are an absolute joy. Messy as heck, but absolutely delightful in every other way.

[@lindseystinygardenadventur6308]

We have had our chickens for almost a year now and we absolutely love them! They each have their own unique little personalities. We have an Easter egger, a speckled Sussex, and a wheaten maran. Our Easter egger and Sussex have given us at least one egg, sometimes two, all winter long! Good luck on your chicken journey!

[@anonymixx8106]

Yeah shipping birds is a very traumatizing endeavor usually. I never recommend it to anyone who's not willing to lose most of them. Also, if losing livestock is too hard on you, it may not be for you. Not shaming at all, just encouraging you to be gentle with yourself if it doesn't prove to get easier over time. Fowl in particular are exceedingly fragile compared to domesticated animals. A lot of people start with chickens, thinking that they're the easiest, and lose a bunch of them and get turned off from livestock forever because they don't realize how much illness and death can be involved. I highly recommend that if you can't handle losing animals as a given factor of farming, to shift to something like goats for a bit before trying birds again or quitting altogether.

[@maggieb4416]

☹️ how sad to hear about the baby chicks you lost. But not a total loss, those that survived, can grow up to beautiful hens & lay lots & lots of yummy eggs! Tfs 🥚🐣🐥🫶🏼

[@kristi8812]

In 2005, I worked with my Great Aunt Ginny publishing local newspapers. She also kept chickens and decided that summer to order 50 chicks. I could not hide my sheer astonishment when we got the call from the post office to come pick up our chicks. They came in essentially two cramped pizza boxes. One of them was dead on arrival and I was heartbroken. Totally feel your pain and share your disdain for the current regulations/process.

[@marjoriecook7556]

That is so horrible! I had raised 24 chickens from day old for many years, and so grateful to see that it’s done differently in Canada. If you get chicks again, wondering if you’ve a local farm store that would be able to provide true day-olds? This breaks my heart… I’ve missed my hens since we moved from our property. The are fun, funny girls,band their antics always made me laugh! I used to have a bench outside the coop because I’d sit and watch them for ages.

[@alishac5096]

What sweet little birds, thanks for bringing awareness to this topic. Animal welfare isn’t prioritized the way it really should be yet, hopefully we will get there someday.

[@artistforlife]

We had chicks delivered years ago, I think we got 7 and lost one. My mail carrier brought it to my house and the packaging they came in had a blue/green jello like stuff in there with the chicks that they could peck at and it provided a bit of nutrition and hydration. There are plenty of chicks to be had around here, but ordering was the only way we could choose a specific breed and sex. Little chicks are amazing they grow super fast and are a ton of fun.

[@kittykels]

I don't know anything about shipping, animals, or shipping animals, but I've watched other channels talking about buying reptiles and fish. In that case, they will say it's usually better to order from a site that can ship them directly to you. When you buy from a pet store, the animals have already been transported at least once if not multiple times which leads them to be stressed and stressed animals become ill and have a lesser chance of survival. Shipping them directly to you cuts down on a lot of stress for the animals. I have no idea if this applies to baby chicks, but maybe it's worth researching either buying from someone locally to completely eliminate shipping or buying from a site who can ship directly to you and maybe even provide some better conditions during the shipping process.

[@celestebirdsall539]

My family raised egg laying chickens growing up and had a similar situation with shipped chicks… it’s so sad! After that, we always got them at a local feed store that hatched them and they were WAY healthier. I’m sure y’all will be able to find a good place locally to get your chicks.

[@emilywilson9186]

I am in Knoxville Tennessee but I have a friend who just incubated and just lost like 3 chicks out of like 14. I'm so excited for all of you. I am in an apartment in the city so I can't live this dream right now, but I'm living through you.

[@molly1339]

In highschool we would pick up turkey chicks directly from the farm where they hatched and drive 6 hours home with them. We would often buy 3 turkey for each one we needed because so many died as chicks.

[@sarah_jane5644]

I just want to say that i genuinely aspire to be like you both. So kind hearted, genuinely trying your best and just being all around amazing people. Your videos always bring me such joy and hope even through dark times. Thank you ♥️

[@augeliqueg]

We just got chicks today, also shipped via USPS, but thankfully the hatchery we got them from ships with a heating pouch. All chicks chatty, eating and drinking on their own, and thriving! If you guys order via mail again, try checking with a hatchery that ships with a heat source.

[@GenericRunner]

I love how at the end, the little dark chicky went to check on the yellow sleeping one. ❤

[@marylouconnolly9628]

❤️❤️❤️ you are being put thru some homesteading trials lately. So sorry about losing the chicks. Take care...you are both so hard working! It'll be worth it in the end.

[@kaylanicolson]

It’s so sorry to hear this happened to you guys, of all people. You have the best hearts. It’s so sad to hear how little regulation there is for animals being sent in the mail. Those little chickens were so lucky to have found their home with you. They will absolutely be in the best care with you guys 💗

[@JessyTreal]

All farm animals that are shipped whether it’s pigs, cows, chickens, or horses there’s no insulation. I always feel horrible seeing how freezing it is outside and when you’re doing 120 km an hour on the highway how much colder it must be and there they are, with holes all over the truck freezing before their slaughter.

[@sevenoctobers7471]

So good that you're giving this a try. I hope that raising chickens and quail(s??) gives you both joy and saves you a bit of money on eggs.

[@hissonggirlmoni5706]

That is absolutely heartbreaking! We all need to call our congressmen and ask for a bill to regulate their transport.

[@jennifershank5622]

I had NO IDEA that baby chick's get shipped in such a vile way. 😫 I'm so excited to see upcoming videos of them growing and getting named!!

[@strwberipunkin]

I so appreciate you guys! You’re still new parents. The house is still basically new! So many things are happening but you still find the time to make the videos. ❤

[@peeeeyton]

They are so sweet and fluffy. I grew up with 12 chickens and they were darling, you gotta keep an eye out for the pecking order tho becuase unfortunately they can bully each other, which is heartbreaking. Im excited for you tho! Its amazing to have fresh eggs around. I grew up in Oregon (Eugene area), when theyre producing you may have to get some lights setup to keep them producing a little longer because they are so light sensitive, as the days shorten theyll stop laying. Oh! also, be sure to google before feeding them any garden scraps, I remember when we were surprised they couldn't eat tomato plants because they eat almost anything. Love your content this video brings up a lot of fond memories.

[@ABlueDahlia]

Unfortunately, chick mortality rates can be high at the beginning. It's not pleasant, unfortunately it's the reality of having chickens. They can die without warning at any point in their lives and you're like why did they die? What did I do? usually the answer is nothing or something so small that it shouldn't even matter. Hang in there. Chicks die so much in the mail that companies expect it and will either reship or refund you whatever is lost at delivery time and usually 24-48 hours after I think. Also, when chicks are shipped if the weather is cold, then the seller/breeder usually puts heat pads in. They put something called grogel in as well that is nourishing liquid for them. It all just depends on who is the breeder that ships them out. There are varying levels of comfort for the chicks and some sellers are better than others.

[@ABlueDahlia]

Also, even if they are sexed by the seller, it's still incredibly possible to get roosters from the ones you receive. Sexing isn't infallible. Incubating is a great way to do raise flock numbers, and it's safer, disease wise.

[@Aloho50]

The Counter has a nice article about the 100+ year history of shipping chicks via USPS, and the benefit of hatcheries shipping chicks to the diversity of the species. However, the modern process needs to be improved, with the shipments more systematically prioritized and better coordinated. As you mentioned, building the coop, be sure to dig the fence into the ground, lots of clever critters love to eat chickens, including good diggers. I love chickens, I used to do fitting and showing for chickens in 4H, haven't owned them in a long time.

[@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574]

That makes sense but they could easily ship the fertilized hatching eggs or at a minimum provide some sort of climate control in the shipping process. It’s just such a shame that profits always seem to be the number 1 priority.

[@SueK2001]

I cried so hard watching this. Those poor little chicks. I’m so sorry this has happened. I didn’t know they shipped chicks via USPS?! How shocking and terrible. 😢

[@aprilcampbell4910]

Wow...I literally had no clue that's how stores get their chickens! I was just at our local tractor supply getting dog food and saw the set up for chicks. I grew up having chickens and I wish we could have them living where we are now. Fresh eggs are the LITERAL BEST!!

[@sallyfields2385]

You pick out the perfect music for your videos. I had no idea that was how they shipped chickens. I'm so sorry that y'all lost some. But I know you did your best and the remaining ones are going to have a great life with you all. Can't wait to watch them grow up!

[@sassysandra245]

We got baby chicks just shortly after you did, and ow lots of our friends are doing it too and we have all sent letters and called our governed demanding better treatment of these sweet little chicks 🐥 in their transport!! Thanks for the awareness!!!!

[@kristinvera5828]

We have our chickens in the woods. Invest in an electric fence. We have a solar one and it’s Premier One. We’ve never had a predator problem with the fencing, solar motion sensor lights and cameras. We also have predator proofing and I recommend putting blocks under the run so predators won’t dig underneath. Chickenlandia on You tube is a great channel you will love! She is also from the PNW.

[@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574]

Good ideas! We planned on digging the fencing into the ground around the whole run and putting large rocks at the base of it. The solar fence is something we’ll look into

[@kristinvera5828]

@@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574 the fencing is pricy but worth it. Although it’s solar powered, you may want to invest in an extra battery to have on charge and swap if needed. We live in SW PA and also get little sun this time of year, so I would recommend an extra battery, as well. We run our entire chicken property off solar and rain water we collect. No electricity at all. We run 4 cameras all off of Jackery generators. Also solar powered. Yes, tucking the netting and doing Predator skirting will work. There are many You tube videos on it. Also using washers when you drill screws to keep wire in place is best. You would not believe how strong predators are and they can rip your wire right off. Washers will secure it more firmly with the screws. I’m just trying to think of the tips and tricks we have done. I love my chickens and they have been a huge help in keeping me and my family mental healthy! Highly recommend. It will change your life.

[@lavendermistttttt]

boyfriend worked at USPS - he said he'd hear them in the office, but the supervisors would separate them out of the carrier's pile and deliver them themselves with priority - most likely so they don't get hurt in all the other parcels that the carriers have to deliver. some people in the shipping process care, and I hope that makes you and others feel a little bit better.

[@shellmcc0414]

Oh those poor sweet angels 🥺 it’s important you both communicated the realities of it all xxx thank you both for raising awareness and being amazing caring humans ❤

[@ambers.1454]

Having poultry and livestock is rough. Even with local sourcing it can be difficult and heartbreaking, but at least they’re given a fighting chance. A suggestion for a coop- think about how you want to bed it, and clean it. Having something that isn’t tall enough to stand up in to clean is hard on your back!

[@sweetlifeofzackkristi9574]

Yeah it does feel much better knowing where animals come from. We’ve been sourcing local beef and recently saw the farm they are raised and it is beautiful. We need to get more involved in our other local food sources. That’s the goal this year

[@Makalasbeautybar]

I have 9 chicks but I had 11. 2 of mine died ( I picked them up from a local hatchery not a feed store) unfortunately sometimes they just die. I had a melt down about it this happened yesterday morning. but it’s a blessing to still have the rest of your flock despite the loss. I have 3 hens that are laying already and they are lovely. I also live in the woods but I let my hens free range, I didn’t have the means to have a large run so they free range I stead. I ended up loosing all but 1 of my first flock last year due to that so it is a good idea to have. Run if your able to. I can’t wait to see your finished coop and run I know it’s going to be amazing!

[@BlindBabeBeth]

When I was very young, we lost all of our girls to a wild fox. One day they were there, clucking, scratching, and the next they were gone. Chickens aren't just great for eggs, they're beautiful birds and great pets.

[@biscuitswithasideofcrazy]

I was thinking of purchasing babies myself, thank you for the information! I will be rethinking this! I can't wait to see them grow!

[@mariacrespo4424]

Don't ever doubt your content. It is always a great watch 💛

[@laurenmellott5324]

It’s a really harsh reality! We got our own rooster for this reason. He is so amazing with our girls and with our small kids. We have 2 Easter eggers, 1 French black copper Marans, 1 French blue splash marans, and Rhode Island Red. Our roo is an EE. They are great. Never in my life did I think of become a crazy chicken lady but here I am!

[@Larkz0717]

when I realized our local farm store ordered chicks from a well known hatchery. I just cut out the middleman. I ordered chicks in Jan from Murray McMurray.. they shipped the 6th and I got the call from the post office less than 24 hours after shipped. they also included the heat pad to keep them warm,the grow gel for them to eat.. I was extremely satisfied and had zero loss

[@ReggyCupcake]

I grew up with buying chicks from feed stores and hatching our own, and it was one of the best memories i have from my very young childhood. Don't lose hope when it comes to raising them. It's devastating when an animal passes away, especially the babies, but that just makes you hold the ones that survived a little bit tighter. They couldnt have gone to a better home than with your family. Those are some lucky babies!

[@dontstoplivinbabe]

I love the way you edit and film. It's just beautiful. Now I'm happy we have only bought chickens locally. I had no idea they just ship chickens like that.