The types of adult birds eligible for mailing in the domestic mailstream are specifically listed in Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 601.9.3.4. Live fowl and birds, of all kinds, are prohibited in the international mailstream. Postal Service™ standards covering the domestic mailability of adult birds are based on the following factors:
n Humane consideration and the ability of the live animals to survive while in transit.
n Possible health hazards to postal employees.
n Possible damage to other mail and postal equipment.
Day-old poultry or birds may be mailed as domestic mail only, as allowed in DMM 601.9.3.2.
Disease-free adult fowl may be mailed domestically when shipped under applicable law in accordance with DMM 601.7.1. Adult chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, doves, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, and quail as well as ducks, geese, and swans are mailable in domestic mail. These birds must be sent via Express Mail® service in containers that have been approved by the manager, Mailing Standards to have met the following criteria:
1. Remain intact and withstand crushing during transportation.
2. Prevent the bird(s) from puncturing or breaking any part of the container with their own force, or escaping from the container.
3. Contain shavings of absorbent material to prevent damage to the bottom of the container.
4. Be marked:
a. “Live Birds — USPS Approved Container” and the container number.
b. With directional arrows indicating “up” position.
c. With a complete delivery and return address.
5. Have all ventilation openings covered with filter material that minimizes the chance of handler contact with solid or aerosolized waste, but provides sufficient exposure to air to allow the birds to breathe normally.
6. Be tested using a full container of live birds throughout a 3-day period of challenge under normal shipping conditions. The test must be conducted by competent authorities to satisfy the following:
a. Confinement of live birds in the container must neither endanger the health of the birds nor subject them to inhumane treatment.
b. A reduced level of light and absence of visual stimuli should be evident in the container design in order to reduce the birds’ awareness of being moved or sense of alarm due to the presence of humans or other animals nearby, and reduce their psychological stress.
Currently, the following manufacturers’ boxes have been approved for mailing:
Mr. George Drewry
Horizon Micro-Environment LLC
133 Bowen Farm Road
Crawford, GA 30630-1800
800-443-2498
Container number: 01
Mr. John Nichols
PO Box 2
Morris, AL 35116-0002
205-532-4433
Container number: 02
Mr. Gerald Allen
Belle Farm2124 U.S. 70 W.
Morganton, NC 28655-9251
828-584-0852
800-331-2876
Container number: 03
Mr. Daryl Reed
Hillside Farms
120 West End Drive
Atmore, AL 36502-8130
251-368-5982
Container number: 04
Mr. Bob Hambuchen
Boxes for Birds
3040 Dallas Loop
Conway, AR 72034-8123
501-329-8852
Container number: 05
Mr. Robert Logan
6670 Dorsey Evergreen Road
Fulton, MS 38843-9018
662-862-9656
Container number: 07
Mr. Roy Thomas
261 Charlie Hicks Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659-6650
423-753-8939
Container number: 08
William Tucker
4587 Radiant City Road
Nauvoo, AL 35578-3422
205-697-5195
Container number: 09
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing, 6-18-09
