How one bad decision

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Oh, oh, this is a bad thing and I am personally glad that you are sharing. That is indeed an awful long way for chicks to travel, really long. Wondering if they had had a layover from the states to here for a couple of days to recover from the initial stress it might have made a difference, probably would have. Chicks are so tender, especially during the first few days of life, sigh....that is why I will not ever sell chicks that are under a week old. They need their sea legs and I need to know they have full bellies and are doing well before they ever leave my farm, sigh...I am sorry for this loss of life, needless, in my opinion. And you have some very badly started out chicks. Really wonder what the white thing is, they should indeed be black, just like how the barred chicks begin. Thank you for sharing your story, it is important for us to know all we can about the good, the bad and the ugly. Still, wishing you to find something in this day that will make you happy, CynthiaM.

How heart breaking!

I think it is a very sad thing when living creatures are treated as cargo.
Newly hatched chicks are extremely resilient and nature has provided them with the means to do without food or water for those 2 days after hatching. I watch my newly hatched chicks very closely and for the most part they are not interested in eating on the same day they hatch. They are exhausted from the ordeal, and just want to rest in the warmth. By day 2 they are pecking at the food, tasting the water and getting stronger and more active. By day 3 they are busily eating and drinking in earnest.
I can’t imagine sending off baby chicks to buyers knowing their heat requirements would not be monitored, and they would have no nourishment for 4 days!
I completely agree with Cynthia, we need to make people aware of these situations and the terrible outcome for you as the buyer, and for the poor animals stressed beyond any reasonable limits. There needs to be better planning and information sharing up front if organizing shipments of chicks coming across the border. Im sure there are extenuating circumstances - things that can't be planned for. But even then those chicks still need proper care. In my mind, if there is no guarantee that the chicks will arrive in a reasonable time and in good condition, then the order should not be attempted.

This is not acceptable.

That is not good! I think it is terrible when I hear stories like this. Just people taking advantage of another person.

I had an order from the States this year. They must have had a terrible trip. They arrived on time and the shipper (breeder) included extra chicks, but I lost 40% in the first couple of weeks. Very sad and tough to go through. The breeder was very good to deal with and offered me a rebate or another order next season and I just had to pay the Canadian papers. I decided on the rebate. I could not see going through all those chicks dieing again next year if it was a rough ride again.

I hear so many stories about the good, I think the bad experiences are few and far between, but they leave a bad taste in your mouth for sure.

I think the people involved should have done the right thing by you lazyfarmer.

I can understand why more and more US hatcheries won't sell to Canada - it just takes too much time for the chicks to get here!