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Our Duck Delivery Process

At Shirlock Acres, we specialize in shipping live ducklings with the utmost care,
ensuring they arrive safely at their new homes. Our experience in poultry shipping
allows us to refine our process continually, prioritizing the health and well-being of each
duckling.

How We Ship Ducks

We offer shipping to all the lower 48 states, Alaska, and the US Virgin Islands using USPS
Priority Mail. For larger shipments (200+ ducklings), we use Delta Cargo, which
provides same-day delivery. Our priority is to minimize transit time and maximize the
survival rate of our birds.

  • USPS Priority Mail – Ideal for most orders, with transit times typically within 1-3
    days.
  • Delta Cargo – Recommended for large bulk orders, requiring airport pickup and
    additional paperwork. But it is same-day delivery.

Our Shipping Boxes

Our specially designed shipping boxes ensure adequate ventilation, insulation, and
protection. They include:

  • Soft bedding for comfort and cleanliness
  • Ventilation holes for proper airflow
  • Dividers to prevent overcrowding
  • GroGel supplement for hydration and nutrition
  • Heat packs during colder months

When We Ship

To optimize delivery times and ensure minimal transit stress, we hatch and ship our
ducklings on a Monday schedule:

  • Black and White Muscovy ducklings – Hatched and shipped every Monday.
  • Pekin & Silver Appleyard ducklings – Hatched and shipped every other
    Monday.
  • By shipping early in the week, we increase the likelihood that the ducklings arrive before the
    weekend, avoiding extended delays in transit.

Preparing Ducklings for Shipment

Health Checks

Each duckling is hand-sorted on hatch day to ensure only the healthiest and strongest
birds are shipped. We prioritize sending freshly hatched, alert, and active ducklings
to give them the best start.

Timing for Optimal Health

Ducklings ship best when they are 0-2 days old, as they can still rely on yolk sac
nutrition. This natural adaptation ensures they stay nourished during transit.

Tracking & Notifications

Once an order is placed, customers receive an order confirmation email with their
expected shipping date. When the ducklings are shipped:

  • A tracking number is sent via our postage software (Endicia.com).
  • The customer’s phone number is included on the box so that the post office
    can notify them upon arrival.
  • Customers should always plan to pick up their ducklings promptly from the
    post office. This reduces stress on the birds, and most post offices require you to
    pick them up rather than delivering them to your home.

What to Do When Your Ducklings Arrive

Pickup Instructions

Ducklings must be picked up from the post office as soon as they arrive. Upon pickup,
Customers should:

  • Inspect the ducklings immediately to ensure all arrived safely. Read our
    refund policy for issues with ducklings after delivery.
  • Transport them home quickly in a warm and quiet environment.

Immediate Care Checklist

  1. Preheat the brooder – Ambient temperature should be 85-90°F.
  2. Provide warm water with electrolytes – Dip each duckling’s bill to help them
    start drinking.
  3. Ensure access to starter feed – Use non-medicated waterfowl starter crumbles.
  4. Monitor behavior – Ducklings should be alert and active within a few hours.

Weather & Shipping Adjustments

We prioritize the safety of our ducklings, adjusting our shipping process according to the
weather:

  • Winter Shipments – Heat packs and extra insulation are added.
  • Summer Shipments – Extra ventilation is ensured.
  • Extreme Weather Conditions – We may reschedule shipments if necessary
    and will notify customers accordingly.

Why Choose Shirlock Acres?

Live Arrival Guarantee

We stand by the quality of our ducklings with a live arrival guarantee:

  • If any ducklings arrive dead or do not survive within 24 hours, we will issue a
    refund or send replacements.
  • Customers must provide a photo of the affected birds within 24 hours of
    arrival.
Read our Return Policy

Commitment to Animal Welfare

We only ship when it is safe and take every precaution to ensure healthy deliveries:

  • NPIP-certified hatchery 
  • Carefully sorted, strong ducklings only
  • GroGel provided for hydration
  • Heat packs used in winter months
  • Well-ventilated and padded shipping boxes
Shop our Ducks

Experienced & Reliable

18+ years of experience hatching Muscovy ducks
10+ years of expertise in poultry shipping
A trusted, family-run business dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction

About Our Farm

Customer Testimonials

“The ducks are beautiful. Ordered Muscovys and love them. A few went missing in shipping and they were excellent about replacing them. Everyone is healthy, alert and thriving. Thank you for providing such wonderful birds.”

”I’ve seen the housing and hatching facilities first-hand and can vouch that their ducks look well cared-for and very clean. Their ducks are indoor free-roam in multiple large buildings with a separate hatchery, all very organized and well-maintained. It’s a family business (the owner grew up on this farm and runs it with his sons), and I feel good about buying ducklings from them.”