Horizon Shipping Boxes

These boxes are approved by the post office

for shipping live adult birds by express mail.

OSL Original Single Lite Horizon Box

$14.00

3/$39.00

Single Lite  Horizon Lite Single Box is 20” l x 16” h x 8” w for adult poultry, pheasants, ducks, or pigeons.  Box has a stronger bottom design & additional ventilation holes. Weight of box with birds can’t exceed 10 lbs. This box can be cut down to avoid the post office dimension weight surcharges if you are shipping bantams or other small birds.  Measure up a scant 10 inches from the bottom.  Cut off the area above the 10 inch mark on the long side of the box that does not have the air ventilation holes.  Then lightly cut the ends and the remaining long side to form the top.  The trimmed box will measure 20 x 8 x 10 which is 1600 cubic inches which is well under the USPS threshold of 1 cubic foot (1728 inches.) Securely tape the top being carefully not to cover up ventilation holes. You will not be able to use the handle or the ties that come with the box unless you reposition the holes for the handle to the center of the top.

NDE Econo Horizon Box  Will hold up to 6 pounds of birds.

$18.00

3/$51.00

New design Horizon vented econo box measures 13 x 13 x 10 (1690 cubic inches) which is under the USPS’s  dimensional weight threshold.

Shipping Do’s and Don’ts

 From Horizon Micro-Environments

DO:

Feed and water birds prior to shipment.

Include a source of moisture such as a piece of apple in the box to prevent dehydration.

Place litter or bedding in the bottom of the box to collect moisture, reduce odors, and provide footing for the birds.

To prevent stress, acquaint the birds with the shipping container by placing them in the container a few times before shipping.

Inform the recipient of the expected delivery time and give them the shipping tracking number.

Check the weather conditions in your area and the destination area to insure that they will not pose a threat or cause a shipping delay.

Consult experienced shippers if you have any questions.

Write the shipping address and telephone number on the box in case the label comes off.

DO NOT:

Ship birds that are injured, sick, or under unusual stree, such as molting.

Remove nor puncture the white breathable membrane filter covering the ventilation holes.  The filter protects the birds from airborne diseases, reduces excitability, and stress. It is required by USPS postal regulations, the USPS Labor Union and FedEx.

Ship birds in very hot or very cold conditions.  The temperature inside a closed box will ALWAYS be higher than the temperature outside the box.  This excess heat can be injurious or fatal to birds.  Tolerance of heat and cold weather varies with species, age, and time of year.  If in doubt - DON’T SHIP.  We recommend that you do not ship any birds if the temperature anywhere on the route is above 85º F or below 40º F.

Over pack the box.  Placing more birds than recommended into a box can cause over heating and additional stress, which can be harmful or fatal.  Stuffing a box full of birds to save a few bucks on shipping is foolish and inhumane.  The combination of high heat and humidity kills birds.

Ship birds on Thursdays, Fridays, over a weekend, or a holiday.  They may be stranded in route and die.  It is always best to ship on Monday or Tuesday.

Shipping Birds Express Mail

These are the steps to follow for shipping birds Express Mail :

Go to USPS - Postal Explorer.

Highlight the option Calculator/Tools.

Then highlight Postage Prices - Under the heading Domestic highlight Retail.

Type in the ship from zip code & the ship to zip code. Enter the mailing date.

Select the package size (shipping boxes are large packages) Check the box indicating Live Birds are being shipped. Type in the dimensions of the shipping box & the estimated weight of the birds.

The  Postage Price Calculator Page will show some shipping options.   

Choose Express Mail. This page will display the expected date of arrival.

Then hit the print label and follow the instructions to print the label on plain paper and tape it to the shipping box.

Take the birds to the post office.