Every year, as temperatures begin to rise across the country, customers may notice that chick shipping costs increase compared to cooler months. While nobody enjoys paying higher shipping fees, these adjustments are made for one important reason: the health and safety of the chicks.
At Valley Farms Hatchery, our goal is always to deliver healthy, thriving chicks to your local post office, where they can be picked up promptly and brought home to their new brooder. Summer temperatures create unique challenges during transit, and proper shipping practices are essential to ensuring chicks arrive safely.
Heat Is a Bigger Threat Than Cold
Many people assume cold weather is the biggest challenge when shipping live chicks. Surprisingly, overheating is often the greater concern.
Baby chicks naturally huddle together to share body heat. During cooler months, this behavior helps keep them warm and comfortable throughout their journey. However, during the summer, excess heat can quickly become dangerous if chicks do not have enough airflow.
Although newly hatched chicks have a strong immune system and are remarkably resilient, they cannot regulate their body temperature for extended periods of time. This makes proper ventilation, spacing, and temperature management critically important during transport.
Why Fewer Chicks Fit in a Summer Shipping Box
The same shipping box that works perfectly during spring or winter may require fewer chicks during hot weather.
When temperatures climb, chicks need additional room inside the box to allow better air circulation and reduce heat buildup. By lowering the number of chicks placed in each section of the shipping box, we can improve airflow and help maintain safer travel conditions.
While this may seem like a small adjustment, it often means additional shipping space is needed to transport the same number of chicks.
More space means additional shipping capacity may be required, which can increase shipping costs—but it also helps ensure chicks arrive healthy, comfortable, and ready to thrive.
Are you enjoying the content so far? Consider subscribing! You'll get an email every time we post a new blog, and best of all...it's FREE!
"*" indicates required fields
Every Shipment Is Planned Around the Weather
There is no single packing formula that works for every shipment.
Before each hatch date, Valley Farms Hatchery carefully reviews weather forecasts along the routes where chicks will be traveling. Temperatures in both the shipping and destination regions are considered when determining safe packing densities.
A shipment traveling through mild spring temperatures may be packed differently than one crossing several states during a summer heat wave.
This weather-based approach allows us to make adjustments that prioritize chick welfare rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all system.
Additional Summer Shipping Precautions
Summer shipping isn’t simply about reducing the number of chicks in a box.
Additional precautions may include:
- Adjusting chick densities based on forecasted temperatures
- Optimizing airflow within shipping boxes
- Monitoring regional weather conditions before hatch dates
- Coordinating shipping schedules to minimize unnecessary delays
These measures help reduce stress on chicks during transit and improve arrival quality.
Why We Prioritize Chick Safety Over Lower Costs
We understand that higher shipping costs can be frustrating. However, our philosophy has always been simple: the well-being of the chicks comes first.
Attempting to reduce shipping expenses by overcrowding boxes during hot weather would increase the risk of heat stress and poor arrival outcomes. By giving chicks the space and ventilation they need, we’re investing in their safety and helping ensure they arrive ready to thrive in their new homes.
A Commitment to Healthy Arrivals
Shipping live chicks requires careful planning throughout the year, but summer demands extra attention. From monitoring weather conditions to adjusting packing densities, every decision is made with the goal of delivering healthy chicks to our customers.
At Valley Farms Hatchery, we’re committed to doing what is best for the birds—even when that means making adjustments that increase shipping costs. We believe that providing safe, comfortable transportation is one of the most important ways we can serve both our chicks and our customers.
