Chicks' Age When Mailed By Farms: All You Need To Know

Chicks can be mailed and delivered to farms as early as one day after they hatch. They are shipped in cardboard boxes with sloped sides to keep them safe and comfortable. The yolk sac inside their bellies provides nourishment for 72 hours without food or water, which means that day-old chicks can survive for two to three days with no care. However, the chronological age of the chicks may differ from their biological age, and some chicks may be on the edge of starvation when they arrive.

Day-old chicks have been mailed for over 100 years

It may come as a surprise, but day-old chicks have been shipped in the mail for over a century. The remarkable process of a chick hatching from an egg is made possible by the absorption of nutritious yolk material from the yolk sac, which provides a built-in food supply that can sustain the chick for up to three days after hatching. This allows chicks to survive for two to three days without any external care, making them well-suited for shipping in cardboard boxes with sloped sides and straw pads to keep them safe and comfortable.

The practice of mailing day-old chicks is not without its concerns. While the yolk sac provides nourishment, chicks that are shipped may be older than 72 hours, leading to potential starvation and health risks. Additionally, the chronological age of a batch of incubated chicks may differ from their biological age, resulting in variations of up to two days. This discrepancy can impact their health and survival during shipping.

Despite these challenges, the mailing of day-old chicks remains a common practice, especially in the United States. Sources indicate that day-old chicks can be mailed from anywhere in the country through the U.S. Postal Service. Companies like Cackle Hatchery, located in central USA, specialize in shipping purebred poultry and have been in operation since 1936.

The availability of mail-order chicks offers several advantages. Firstly, hatchery chicks are generally disease-free or have a lower chance of disease exposure compared to grown birds. Secondly, the convenience of mail-order allows individuals to start their own chicken flocks or add to their existing ones without the need for in-person purchases. This accessibility has contributed to the popularity of raising chickens, whether for personal or commercial purposes.

They can survive for 2-3 days without care

Chicks can survive for 2-3 days without care because they hatch with some of the yolk material from their egg still available for sustenance. This yolk sac is inside their bellies and will completely nourish them for 72 hours without food or water.

Day-old chicks have been shipped in the mail for over 100 years. When a chick hatches, not all of the nutritious yolk material in the yolk sac has been used up. What remains are drawn into the chick's abdomen and absorbed by the chick's body during its first days of life. This means that each chick enters the world with a built-in food supply that can sustain it for up to three days after it hatches.

However, the age of chicks that are mailed out is not always accurately represented. While hatcheries and the USPS tell customers that they will get their chicks within a 72-hour window, some of those chicks may be older than 72 hours. This is because chicks in the same batch can have biological ages anywhere from 12 hours to 2 days apart, even though they will have the same chronological age. So, if you receive chicks that are 72 hours old chronologically, some may be up to 120 hours biologically, or 5 days old.

In addition, the yolk sac is usually depleted by day 3, and some chicks may be on the edge of starvation at 48 hours. Chicks can survive for around 6 hours without fresh water before they become dehydrated and their bodies start to shut down.

Chronological vs biological age discrepancies

The concept of chronological and biological age refers to two different ways of measuring a person's age. Chronological age is the number of years, months, and days that a person has been alive, based on their birth date. It is a fixed and easily determined number that increases at a set rate over time. On the other hand, biological age refers to the overall state of a person's body and how well it is ageing compared to others of the same chronological age. It is influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors.

When it comes to chicks, the idea of chronological and biological age can also be applied. In the context of mail-order chicks, the chronological age of a batch of chicks refers to the time elapsed since their hatching. While these chicks are often marketed as "day-old" or "72 hours old," the hatching window, or the time between the hatching of the first and last chick in a batch, can vary widely. This means that some chicks within the same batch may have different biological ages, even though they share the same chronological age.

The biological age of a chick is influenced by factors such as the depletion of the yolk sac, which provides nourishment for the first few days after hatching. While it is commonly believed that the yolk sac lasts for three days, it may be mostly depleted by day three, and chicks can be older than 72 hours when they are shipped. This discrepancy between chronological and biological age in mail-order chicks can have significant implications for their survival during shipping.

In humans, biological age is determined by a range of factors, including genetics, DNA damage, oxidative stress, telomere erosion, senescent cells, and chronic inflammation. Lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, sleep quality, stress levels, and smoking, also play a crucial role in biological age. For example, a person who does not exercise, consumes an unhealthy diet, and smokes regularly may have a biological age greater than their chronological age. Additionally, environmental factors, such as air pollution, toxins, and social connectedness, can impact biological ageing.

Understanding the distinction between chronological and biological age is essential for demystifying the ageing process and empowering individuals to take a holistic approach to their health. By recognising that biological age can be influenced and changed through lifestyle choices, individuals can improve their overall health and longevity, regardless of their chronological age. This highlights the importance of focusing on the multifaceted nature of biological age rather than solely on chronological age, which is merely a number.

Chicks are shipped the day after hatching

Chicks can survive for two to three days without any food or water, thanks to the remaining yolk material in their yolk sac, which is drawn into the chick's abdomen and absorbed by its body. This means that chicks can be shipped in the mail and survive for several days without any care.

When shipped, chicks are placed in cardboard boxes with sloped sides, designed to keep them safe and comfortable. The boxes contain a straw pad to prevent the chicks from sliding, and they are arranged in different sizes for different orders.

It is recommended to buy hatchery chicks because they are generally disease-free or have a lower chance of disease exposure. However, it is important to note that chicks can arrive at their destination in various states of health, and some may even be dead on arrival.

Backyard chickens: the pros and cons

Day-old chicks can be mailed out to buyers, although some sources suggest that the chicks are sometimes older than advertised. They are shipped in cardboard boxes with sloped sides, with a straw pad to prevent sliding.

Pros

Backyard chickens have surged in popularity in recent years, with people wanting more control over their food sources. Here are some advantages of raising backyard chickens:

• Fresh eggs: Backyard chickens provide fresh, organic eggs with rich, dark-coloured yolks that are superior in taste and packed with more nutrients and Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Pest control: Chickens are excellent at reducing pest populations, including ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. This makes them beneficial for your yard and provides a good source of nutrition for the chickens themselves.
• Self-sufficiency: Raising chickens reduces your dependency on factory farms and commercial food sources, giving you more control over your food supply.
• Lower costs: With the rising prices of eggs, having your own chickens can reduce food costs.
• Low maintenance: Chickens are generally low maintenance and do not require as much time and care as other livestock.
• Educational: Raising chickens can be a great educational opportunity for children, teaching them about responsibility and the life cycle.
• Anxiety reduction: Chickens have been shown to lower anxiety and blood pressure, making them suitable visiting pets for senior homes.

Cons

However, there are also several potential drawbacks to consider before getting backyard chickens:

• Time and cost: While chickens can survive with minimal care, providing them with a high standard of care similar to their wild relatives can be time-consuming and expensive.
• Space requirements: Chickens require adequate space to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to stress, pecking, and sickness. Ensuring they have enough room can be challenging, especially if you have limited land.
• Noise: Chickens can be noisy, especially when establishing their pecking order. This may be a concern if you have close neighbours.
• Zoning laws: Check your local zoning laws and homeowners association rules before getting chickens, as some areas prohibit or limit the number of backyard chickens.
• Upfront costs: There are initial costs associated with housing, bedding, and feed that need to be considered before getting chickens.

Frequently asked questions