How to Send a Chicken to Someone

Whether you are mailing a chicken as part of an animal-supply business or as a gift to a family member or friend, sending a live animal through the mail requires some preparation to prevent the animal's death in transit. The United States Postal Service will transport a chicken for you, as long as you closely follow their guidelines.

Things You'll Need

  • Weather-resistant, ventilated container that can hold 275 pounds on top of it
  • Mailing labels
  • Money to pay shipping fees (amount varies)
Show More

Instructions

  1. Package the Chicken

    • 1

      Purchase a container that is weather-resistant and can hold at least 275 pounds of weight on it without being crushed -- per USPS guidelines. Make sure there are holes in the container that are large enough to provide the chicken with air, but small enough to prevent escape. Place the chicken in the container and seal it shut.

    • 2

      Label the container. In addition to the destination address, your container must include the return address -- that is, your address -- and a label describing the contents of the box. For example you could write "Contains Live Poultry."

    • 3

      Bring the chicken to a U.S. post office. Any branch of the post office may accept a chicken for mailing, although they may refuse the package if they have some reason to believe the chicken might not make it to the destination alive, such as infrequent mail pick-ups from their location or weather that might slow down the service. USPS recommends that you mail live animals at the beginning of the week and that you avoid mailing them during holiday seasons.

    • 4

      Choose the type of mail service you want. For live animals, you must pay extra fees for Special Handling services, which will make sure your package is given preferential treatment. Along with Special Handling, you can choose to send your chicken via Express Mail (with 2-3 day service and Sunday deliveries), Priority Mail (2-3 day service) or Parcel Select (ground delivery of large boxes at low cost). When choosing your shipping options, consider the distance the chicken must travel and the amount of time it might need to survive without water. It is recommended to buy insurance for your package at the post office.