Day-old chicks may lose flying carrier
One of Texas' largest suppliers asks for support by Aug. 15

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

August 9, 2001 -- One of Texas' largest suppliers of day-old chicks is facing a big dilemma - one that could virtually wipe them out of business.

In late July, McMurray Hatchery sent an "Action Alert" to their customers urging them to contact their congressional representatives about Northwest Airlines' decision to stop carrying day-old poultry in the United States.

At this time, there are only three airlines which will carry day-old chicks, and Murray McMurray, co-owner of the hatchery, feels the others will follow suit.

In the "Action Alert" letter, the company explains that the U.S. Post Office is the only carrier service which will carry day-old poultry. Airlines have a contract with the U.S Post Office to carry mail.

"As all of you who have bought live day-old poultry from us know, we ship your order for baby chicks, ducklings, goslings, etc. to you via the airlines. ... We were just notified that as of Aug. 15, Northwest has decided to join a long list of other airlines, which refuse to carry day-old poultry as U.S. mail," the letter reads.

McMurray Hatchery caters to the hobby-type, small-scale businesses, or people who raise chickens for eggs or personal consumption.

"Texas is one of our biggest (customer) states," said McMurray. The hatchery grows 108 varieties of baby chicks.

"We are very worried here at McMurray Hatchery that mail order poultry ... may become a thing of the past. This issue does not only affect hatcheries. Every feed stores, 4-H Club, poultry equipment manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, school science project, and any other individual or company which has a finger in raising poultry on the small scale will be hurt," the letter cites.

McMurray Hatchery, located outside of Minneapolis, Minn., relies on Northwest Airlines' hub in Minneapolis. "The airline carries nearly 100 percent of our baby chicks," McMurray said.

Hubs for the other airlines which carry the day-old poultry are in Atlanta, Ga., and Houston, Texas.

"Geographically we have a problem," McMurray said. "We ship large quantities of small amounts each week in the United States. We need a place that can handle 1,000 to 1,900 boxes (of day-old poultry) a day and get them distributed within 72 hours of hatching, with a live guarantee."

If Northwest holds up its decision to cease handling day-old poultry as U.S. mail, then McMurray fears the other airlines will follow suit "because precedence will be set (with Northwest's decision). They can use the excuse of 'it's company policy.'

"The end result of these actions is there will no longer be a way to purchase poultry through the mail because no airlines will carry your order," the letter tells its customers. "Unless this can be resolved, Murray McMurray Hatchery and most other mail order hatcheries will more than likely go out of business."

The hatchery is asking for support on this issue. "We have provided a letter to your congressional representatives we would very much like to have your forward (before the Aug. 15 Northwest deadline)."

At the hatchery's website (www.mcmurrayhatchery.com), supporters can click on the Action Alert link, agree to the printed letter, and using the supporter's zip code, the letter will be e-mailed to the person's two senators and one representative.

McMurray noted that within a 24-hour period, the Action Alert link has been accessed by 5,200 supporters.

For more on the issue, contact McMurray Hatchery at 800-456-3280 and ask for the Action Alert information.