Some people order peacocks by mail.
For people looking to start a new flock of birds or bring new genetic material to an existing flock, there are several options for obtaining additional birds. In rural areas, a feed store or farm hatchery will often sell chicks, ducklings, and geese during the spring, although the breeds available may be limited. For a wider selection of birds, including exotic birds like guineafowl and peacocks, many people prefer to order poultry from a professional breeder. Ordering birds by mail is very easy and most companies guarantee live delivery. It is also possible to order fertile eggs for hatching.
Chickens can be ordered online.
When live birds are ordered, the company usually requires a minimum order. The order fills a small box lined with straw, with the birds being kept warm during the shipping process. The cage is built to be sturdy and provide plenty of air for the chicks, and is clearly marked with markings indicating that it contains live birds. Most carriers will accept live birds as long as they are well packaged and shipped using the fastest delivery method available to avoid mortality during transport. Once the box arrives, the consumer carefully unpacks it and places the chicks in an incubator to mature.
Some people who order live poultry are looking for rare breeds of ducks and other birds.
Live birds are generally shipped less than a week old. The hatchery often offers a sexing service, which is especially valuable for birds that are raised to lay eggs. Females tend to cost a bit more because there is more demand for them and because determining their sex requires more work than simply packing the birds for mailing. Birds ordered for meat are generally not sexed, because the gender of the bird is not important.
Ordering birds by mail is easy and most companies guarantee live delivery.
The main reason for ordering birds by mail is to obtain rare or exotic breeds of ducks, chickens, and geese. Many of these breeds become ornamental friends in the barnyard, rather than a food source. Exotic breeds are colorful and often have decorative crests or feathers on their feet as well as a distinctive appearance. Chickens especially come in a myriad of shapes and sizes that can be a lot of fun for hobbyists to raise. Teachers sometimes mail-order fertilized eggs for their students, and small botanic gardens may use mail-order poultry as a source of ornamental species such as peacocks and ducks.