Shipping day-old poultry via USPS Priority Mail is the standard method for small and medium hatcheries across the United States, and it works remarkably well when done correctly. Day-old chicks, ducklings, guinea keets, and turkey poults carry enough residual yolk from hatching to sustain them for up to 72 hours without feed or water — which is exactly the window that USPS Priority Mail delivery targets. Most orders ship the same day the birds hatch and arrive within one to two days, though delivery time varies by distance from the hatchery.
What to expect on arrival day: your post office will typically call you as soon as the box arrives — this is standard protocol for live animal shipments, and postal workers are trained to prioritize these packages. Pick up the birds as quickly as possible after the call; don't wait for home delivery if you can avoid it. When you open the box, count the birds immediately. Healthy day-old chicks are active, alert, and loud. A few birds that appear quiet or lethargic are normal and often recover quickly once they're in a warm brooder with access to water. Dip each bird's beak in water to get them started.
As of January 2025, USPS requires a mandatory $15 Live Animal Handling Fee per box for all Priority Mail live animal shipments. This fee is set by USPS, not the hatchery, and applies to every box in your order — so if your order ships in two boxes, the fee is $30. This is not optional and cannot be waived. When ordering, factor this fee into your per-bird cost. The fee reflects the additional handling, temperature considerations, and priority routing that USPS provides for live animals.
Our 48-hour live arrival guarantee covers losses that occur in transit. If you receive birds that did not survive the journey, photograph the box and its contents, note the count of losses, and contact us at orders@sobigfarms.com within 48 hours of delivery. We'll work with you on a replacement or credit. Note that losses after delivery and placement in the brooder — including losses from chilling, overheating, or failure to properly introduce water — are not covered, which is why brooder preparation before arrival is so critical. We want every bird that leaves our hatchery to thrive in yours.
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Browse our live hatch schedule and reserve your chicks, ducks, guineas, or turkeys for any upcoming hatch date.