Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Shipping Live Birds

Shipping Live Birds




  1. NEVER ship any bird(s) that show any signs of being sick
  2. Use the proper box for the bird(s) you are shipping. Bigger is not always better as they can be tossed about inside. The same goes for being aware of the boxes weight limit.
  3. NEVER ship late in the week. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are the best days for shipping out live birds.
  4. Be aware the scans may not always be up to date and accurate. The online system updates when the scan guns are plugged back into their cradles at the post office/hub
  5. The USPS is only responsible for losses or damage to your bird(s) during shipping. They are not responsible for death(s) of your bird(s) if the shipping box was not damaged during transit.
  6. When you ship via Express mail the PO will give you a "guaranteed" arrive by date/time. This CAN change once the box is in route due to weather conditions, dry ice cargo (deadly to birds) or unpressurised cargo plane. All of these things can cause a delay in arrival and are NOT grounds for a refund of shipping fees.
  7. USPS has aps for smart phones. The one for iPhones allows you to scan the shipping bar code (or enter the DC/Tracking number) and track the box right from your phone.
  8. Using USPS CLICK & SHIP (online shipping payment and label printing from home) will save you roughly 15% per box you ship. Customers appreciate this savings.





Preparing the container:
Put your box together the night before you plan to ship so you aren't rushing to do so to make it to the PO before they close.
 
We recommend taping the ENTIRE underside of the box using clear packing tape. This creates a barrier so the cardboard isn't in direct contact with elements.
 
Pine shavings are the best choice for box bedding. It is absorbent, weighs less (than hay) and does not pose a risk of a bird being poked during transit causing an injury.
(stiff hay stalks can poke birds in the face/eyes and create issues for the new owner)
 
MORE is better when it comes to securing the box with zip ties. double up and make sure the box can not be "peeked" inside of along the way.
  • Feed and water the birds to be shipped PRIOR to boxing them up
  • Send a text/email/ect to buyer with expected delivery date
  • Check with YOUR local PO for the express mail schedule in your area. This keeps your birds from having to be in a box at 8:00 am when the express pick up isn't until 3:00 pm.
  • Write the ship to address ON the box using sharpie (or similar marker) incase the label comes off 
  • Be sure the buyers PHONE NUMBER is written clearly on the box, shipping label so they can be notified as soon as the birds arrive at the local PO.



Food & Water:
NO water in the boxes ever for any reason (cardboard + water = mess)
 
New hatchlings do best with GroGel mixed and placed in a container secured to the wall of the shipping box.
 
Juvenile and Adult birds honestly don't need anything in the box except bedding material.
If you do chose to include something avoid melons (again high moisture content with cardboard equals a mess)
apples, oranges, shredded carrots, even shredded lettuce are better choices.





Weather/Temps:
Temperatures need to be check on BOTH the sending and receiving locations for birds.
 
nothing UNDER 35*f
nothing OVER 85*f
 
*on a personal note I do not recommend shipping adult or juvenile waterfowl with temperatures over 75 because of their dense down coats
 
Be aware of ANY weather related delays that could effect your shipment. Always error on the side of caution and do not ship if there is a chance of weather related major delays.
  • Do not over crowd the box, this can make the internal temp of the box rise and be fatal to your birds.
  • Avoid weekends and holidays so birds are not stranded anywhere along the trip




Shipping options:
USPS Priority mail -- ONLY used for day old hatchlings
 
USPS Express mail -- Use for all other ages of birds (CAN take as long as 3 days to arrive)
 
Air Cargo - Delta Dash




State Regulations:
It is the shippers responsibility to know and follow all state regulations for shipping both LIVE birds and hatching eggs into each state.
 
Do NOT rely on your local USPS office to know anything concerning the laws for an individual state.
 
Many states require you as the sender to be:  A.) be NPIP certified yearly   or   B.) obtain Health certificates and blood testing for each bird being shipped
 
you can NOT ship to Hawaii via USPS ............ you must use Air Cargo services and you must complete permitting paperwork prior to ever shipping



Shipping Containers:
 
 
Horizon Shipping Boxes: http://www.hm-e.net/
 



Please read everything available from the links below.
The USPS doesn't have to allow us to ship live birds, and it is up to us to understand the rules completely so we do not put our birds at risk.
DO NOT count on your local USPS office to know the rules for shipping, 9 times out of 10 they dont have a clue.





Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)