My dreams are dieing at the Post office

[Deleted]

I am so discuraged with being able to get birds alive up here. I never would have seen myself as a homesteader trying to start what is becoming impossidable-chicken farmer in Alaska.

Every week it seems that I am hoping that this week will be different. That my order will arrive alive. Here in Alaska there are mainly mutts for birds. Lots of banty crosses and rhode Islands and silver lace W.

It seems that people like having chickens it is maybe just too hard to get any new blood up here. I am beginning to belive that somewhere close to where I live, involed with the post office is damaging and hindering bird shippments. So far the last two boxes have been "damaged" the closed airholes have been forced open and the proof is that the cardboard insert that is perferated is not left at the hatchery floor but rather inside the box and partically still attached to the main box. Maybe it is just inosent interest to look at the chicks maybe it is just someone who careless about having to ship the birds.

All I know is that I planned to make money --start a real business selling quality bird and started pullets. I can not reach my goal and if shipping gets any harder how can I even get broilers to raise and sell to anyone. I have people who are interesting in us doing just that but the money to front that opperation was to come from started pullets. Well I do not even have day old birds to even do that. Yes, I have my own hatchings but I need those for eggs next winter. The Hundered layers I got from MM are behind.

I just feel like I have failed. I really need a way to work from home so that I can care for my family (two members of the 3 in the family are "challenged". I hate food stamps I hate it but We eat. I hate public assistance. I always worked. I came from money but I never wasted it. I did the right things save, invest, plan... one health issue and things just fell apart. 10 years ago I paid for two round with cancer for myself. I still had money to adopt a sick kid and get a home.

Now I am failing at chicken farming. I am so tired of the last 3 year of failure after failer. I try so hard to keep my mind on the good stuff. My husband and son but I am scared tonight.

I guess that I will have to refocas on to next year. Use the birds for egg money this fall and winter and try again next year to have plenty of birds. There is only one feed store here and the prices are so "profitable" . Personally the mark up seems like100% from what I see from even the retail prices for bird and supplies

The cheapest chicken is 2.99 each They sold 13,000 birds at that price or better last year. I really know that I have to hatch the chicks myself to make any money but to do that I need good stock. I was really trying to jump start everything by buying the day olds in Jan and Feb and make money on started pullets. I needed 100 birds almost every week to do that but with dead chicks and replacement orders taking up space I am short. People want the birds and if I sell them what came in I will not have breeder birds for next year and I will just still be at the mercy of the Post office and being able to ship birds.
YES I am venting But I am harming any one. I know that it was not pleasent for me to post on the site about rich relatives because I love my sister but durring the last 3 years as my living standard has fallen I have distant myself from her. I do not want to embarass her and if she understood how I live today she would be shocked. I used to be the leader of the childern. and now I have so little that a box of dead chicks can ruin a years worth of planning. I can no longer relate to her and I miss my sister. By the way it is not a case of I am just imaging that she would be embarassed

[Kathy]

Aww kasil, I'm so sorry all of your dreams are tied up & dying due to this mess with the post office/hatchery.

You sound like you've got a great business plan for the future; when you're getting either regular, live shipments or hatching your own in large quantities.
It's that getting to there stage that bites.

Is there any way to put your plans into motion for the spring 2007 season and work on building up your own flock so you can hatch your own?

I know that puts you a year behind where you may have to take some assistance but You DO have a plan and are working on it-no one is going to fault you for problems you can't control; like the shipping situation.

Maybe finding breeding stock would be a better route-if those are available anywhere. It seems those little chicks just don't have the survival abilities in comparison to what the the Post Office is putting them through.

I really hope you get to see your dream come to completion and are able to be a stay at home AK chicken farmer.

Hang in there sweetie, it seems 2006 is kicking all of us in the butts for a variety of reasons.

Just let that frustration out; that's what we're here for-to support and share each others joys and challenges!

(((((((Hugs for you)))))))

Kathy

[auntieemu]

Are you out the money for the chicks or are you filing for damaged goods with the P. O.? How does that work? I know it is slowing you down, but I'm thinking about the money too!

[painteddaisy]

I don't know excactly where you are Kasil, but could it be possible for you to order birds out of B.C.?

What do you have in the way of birds now?
If I were you, I would take what you can get for this year, and breed the dickens out them. Start up an intensive yet carefully planned breeding program. The focus being (and this one of my goals for this year) that you won't have to rely on ordering except for a few new roo's once in a while for new blood.

If you can find "almost" pure birds in your area, you can work with those to re-produce the breed or even create breeds of your own. It's time consuming and requireous of small breeding pens but it's doable.
Just throwing out ideas at you... Hope it helps.

Don't loose hope, it's just time to get "creative" as I like to say!

[Deleted]

Well my money is tied up at Ideal. I have to keep getting boxes of died birds till 100 birds have arrived breathing or I get to wait a long time for the post office to anti up on eht insurance. Ideal said yesterday that since I received the birds with insurance that those are my choices. Great I have brooders that can hold 150 plus birds taking up most of my house that have 3 to 15 hatchery birds in them I can not mix the bird execpt for what I hatched and I sort really stopped bid time hatching in Jan.

I will check in to BC. I just thought that importing birds would be harder. Harder I do not need.

I am trying to think of something. I have to. It really burns me because my sister (who I put up in NYC, Who I wired money and bought plane tickets when ask ext.) Helps me out by senting LARGE boxes of size 0-4 designer clothes --not off the rack but made for her) She herself is going through a hard time ----She cut her wine budget to $700 a week. ---She can not find assistance who can keep track of the dogs food (she bounces around to 6 homes and the dog's food is cooked by a chef and frozen.---like she said she waste so much time have to check herself as to what flavor of dog food is at the home she is in and 5 out of 6 times she has to have a over night rush pack of dog food sent. But I am the best dressed person around cleaning the chicken coop in thousand dollar out fits as I glean though the good will box for jeans that fit.

As for being creative I tried to sell her clothes but no taker. Some how homesteading people do not want high heel Italian shoes.

Well I still have the problem of solving the problem but I do feel better---not hopefull but not as scared. going to church helps. So do you people.

I'll buck up Just pass on any ideas no matter how strange they might be to improve my luck. I will never order from Ideal after I finally get 100 birds up here breathing (note 25% of those breathing die in 3 days)

Oh this batch has chick pooping blood. Whats with that it seems like it might be just 4 but do you think that they are sending me crud birds thinking that I am trying to rip them off? Maybe I should just pay the shipping and send them a box of dead day olds to prove this.

BC might work I will check in to it. NO Wonder everyone has MUTTS up here.

[painteddaisy]

Here Kasil, I did some searching (frustrating!) But I found this - I don't have time to look through it but hopefully there is something helpful in there.

www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/

I'm thinking if you can get birds trucked up from BC the death toll would be much less. I think the fastest way for you to find out though is just call the border directly and ask them straight out "Can I ship poultry in from BC?"

Good luck! I feel your frustration!

[bergere]

I am so sorry.

My Brother in Law in AK had chickens for awhile.. nice ones too.. Well, until a Bear tore open then hen house not to long ago.

But if you want, I can ask him where he got his Poultry from. Just let me know.

[Deleted]

I will check out BC Thanks
Berger where in Alaska did or does you brother live (Alaska is Very large) I live in the Kenai Penn. In a town called Kasilof - Silly thing about Alaska is the town I live in is legally called Coho but the town would end up being just one road so it is included in Kasilof - Old timers call it Coho and I thought that they were off there rockers but some day it will get corrected.

I did call Ideal today and got another person and they will ship out AGAIN Tue.

I did the PO thing and the postoffice want to blame it on the fact that I am ordering birds. The do not want to address the issue of LATENESS OR DAMAGED BOXES playing a roll in the high death toll. "they have a problem with shipping animals" They have a Problem with my filing repeated insurance claims" but the do not have a problem with DAMAGED Late shippments. Boxes in which the airhole are opened durring shippment are damaged if some fool things that in opening All those airhole is helping the baby birds to live then they in their compassiion are KILLING them. They are tampering with my box. They are NOT to TAMPER.

And I feel so much better to day. I will make this work Iwill not give up.

[bergere]

Hi,
They are in Anchorage.

[Deleted]

Just a 4 hour drive away. (2.5 hours during good weather and few tourist) the only road is miles fantastic viewing and we Alaskan just do not take the time to enjoy the site. I lived from 94 through 2003 in Anchorage. To have chickens maybe he lives on the hillside. If he does WOW what a view. But he would face winds of 150 per hour.

Does he still have chickens. I live right by the personal dip net area and subsitance area. People from Anchorage come down in droves to get their fish. I hope that he shares his fish with you.

Thanks to everyone I was feeling like I was truly running out of time. If I get a camera I will just have to share the sites here where I live.

[bergere]

No,, unless he got more.
Had a Bear get into the Hen house. But I can email and ask.

[bergere]

Ok,, this is the note he gave me.

there is a chicken distributor in the mat valley, have them check a wasilla phone book under farm supplies

[Deleted]

Latest update. Ideal said on last Monday that on Tuesday they would re ship the birds. Tuesday was to be the date to TRY a different a day in hopes of different conections. Really By now I am just plain sick of the whole deal but I feel trapped over this order but I now have Ideals about new sources (thanks to you people- what a change I might add from other places where I am almost comdemed at other boards for ordering birds while living in Alaska)

I also got the message that the turkey eggs could not wait as they seemed to want to go broody. The eggs where in Texas. So they were to be sent on Tueday as well.

Wed I check with in at the P,O. and I get to tell them that I am trying again and to expect birds again this week. I am prepped on thurs Nothing. But I check at the PO. Friday eggs only. I have some questions for the P.O. 1800 #

What does priority mean --
I am told "up to 14 days" before they get concearn.
Birds came up and asked what is the best way to ship birds.
"Other forms of transportation would be better"
Why
No answer
when pushed they explained that the best way that they could help would be to ship express mail as the is a two day promise not matter where.

Now I have to go to the postoffice for another matter and I confront the workers there.
I am told that they are surprized that they even ship birds via the mail anywhere. That it really is not in the birds best interest.

OK I am a bit ticked by now as they are claiming to even care about the birds safety.

I state that the birds would be safer if the boxes were NOT opened and that that was being done at the P.O. somewhere in the chain.

I am told that it is NOT DAMAGE on purpose as that machines and just plain handling will cause the same results and that the birds do need air to prevent suffication.

Now I point out that I KNOW that it is happening while on the P.o. watch as the tabs and still in the box from being pushed in and that the hatchery uses this style of box to adjust for all season shipping and that the holes punched by the hatchery are NOT left in the box. So I --no matter what they had to say consider it being tampered with. I was firm in that THEY the p.o should not be "helping the chicks by opening air holes."

I call Ideal and hope that they had a shipping problem and that they where shipped on Wed not TUE. NO, It is confirmed TWICE that the box was sent on TUE.

Sat. 5am prep -- why cause there might be a sick bird still alive.
7am. No word from P.O but start car.
8am No answer at P.O turn off car
8 30 call Ideal and tell them NO BIRDS AT ALL
They are shocked. Yes they went out as planned on TUE. They will refund
8:45 I am call a tip I got from here for birds.
call waiting. Its the P.o. with a box of birds

I am confused. I head out with ziplock baggies for the dead. OH yea the post office was going to deal with dead bird

I kept my calm. I checked the box UNDAMAGED but they were sent on Wed. Not TUE
64 of 80 made it alive. (6 died later)
I called Ideal right away they are closed.

I am done with shipping birds out of state. Just eggs for me from now on.

Thanks so much for all of your support.

8 turkey eggs, Spanish and buff jersey and calico and sliver and 4 special show silky as a bonas wish us luck.

[moongazer]

I'm under the impression birds can also be shipped via the airlines to get there the same day.
Now I know that's in the lower 48 and it's not all that costly. What about having a large order flown up there?

[thrillbilly]

order eggs and incubate them. i have a friend I shipped six dozen eggs to and and he incubated them and he got about a 89 percent hatch. Its all in the way you pack them. Ive already stopped egg production or Id send you some myself. If you havnt had any luck by Aug let me know and if you want them Ill send you a few dozen just for the shipping costs. Ive shipped eggs as far as the Philippines with good hatch rates.

I have

Morgan Whutehackles (heavily spangled bb reds)
Original 5000 dollar Sweater (bb red)
Sonatol Asils (bb red)
Rampuri Asil (bb red)
High Creek Blues (whites and pyles)
Judge Ernest Lacy Roundhead(bb red)
Gilmore Hatch(bb reds)
Curtis Blackwell Greys
Curtis Blackwell Clarets(bb reds)

Some of these lines have been in my family close to 100 years and are from the originator direct.
I keep breeding records on all.I can tell you the number and relevant details on any fowl in my yard and tell every bird in that line since that line was acquired. My Lacy fowl have breeding records that start with my grandfather in 1947 and fills about 300 pages. They breed true. Leg color comb types father colors etc. They are pea combed str8 comb white yellow and green legged depending on breed

[auntieemu]

thrillbilly said:

I have

Morgan Whutehackles (heavily spangled bb reds)
Original 5000 dollar Sweater (bb red)
Sonatol Asils (bb red)
Rampuri Asil (bb red)
High Creek Blues (whites and pyles)
Judge Ernest Lacy Roundhead(bb red)
Gilmore Hatch(bb reds)
Curtis Blackwell Greys
Curtis Blackwell Clarets(bb reds)

Some of these lines have been in my family close to 100 years and are from the originator direct.
I keep breeding records on all.I can tell you the number and relevant details on any fowl in my yard and tell every bird in that line since that line was acquired. My Lacy fowl have breeding records that start with my grandfather in 1947 and fills about 300 pages. They breed true. Leg color comb types father colors etc. They are pea combed str8 comb white yellow and green legged depending on breed

Now, that is impressive.

[Deleted]

Thrillbilly, you have birds that for the most part I do not know anything about. Asils are ones that I looked in to as I was looking at breeding a strong meat bird and I read that cornish carries so of that blood. It is also a breed that my husband liked the looks of. I just have not done enought research on the breed.

Would you consider sharing your knowlege about the birds you have here? Your record keeping is just amazing. I am very new to birds. Just 2 years. It is important to be able to feed ones self and others.

I would like to read up on the breeds and learn if they have special needs. August would give me the time to do this. As it is this summer I will be adding on to the chicken's real estate. Summer is the only time to build here. My plans are to add 1200 more square feet. It is much more than I need for this and next years plans. I might even be able to work out a trade for 1500 feet of 1inch by 6 feet of poutry wire. I know that it is not strong but I really want to "free range" the birds on the land. I already have 1000 feet of half inch hardware cloth that is 3 feet high. (Dumpster diving) It took two weeks to get it all home. I saw it and I claimed it by stashing it in the woods. I am learning the local ways of shopping.

I belive that though the thoughts of just ordering pullets via mail is a great on for many I have learn that eating and sharing roosters will just become a way of life for me.

I really want to thank everyone for your tips and ideal and support. One day there will be a hatchery in Alaska. It will be called Taylor's Nesteggs and Poultry farm. And you people will have played a role in it.