Thanks for the info. on "point of lay", (I was making a joke that apparently got lost.) I think you could have gotten a much better deal just looking around locally or on the internet. Pullets that are that old really do not require any extra attention in shipping (other than Express or overnight air delivery). I don't know what live pullets go for in your area, but I am sure I can buy three, of almost any breed, for under $25.00 here. As to shipping, figure around another $25.00 for Express from the furthest two points in the continental US. As to health certificates and vaccinations, this only becomes an issue when shipping across state lines, and most vets can do it for you, if you don't have the ability to do so. (I regularly handle boxes of live birds that people are shipping that have one, two or three birds in the shipment. So IMHO this paying an upcharge for small shipments is just another rip off so many people are pulling.)

Barred Rocks aren't one of the breeds that can be sexed by different colors or handy little spots on their heads, unfortunately. Luckily they DO have upright combs, so the little roos will start showing their headgear before the girls do. You'll have to do some chick-to-chick comparisons in your batch. I've come across some male/female characteristics in chickens in general that might help, rather than retype it here I'm going to put in a link to my chicken page: http://home.earthlink.net/~velvetsparrow/VSChickHensBroodiesChicks.htm Day old chicks can be easily sexed by a very experienced, trained professional because at one day old the 'equipment' is right there and obvious. :) After they get a day or two older it becomes difficult, if not impossible. Good luck! :) Velvet ~:>

I've been beaten to the punch,lol, but I'll name an experience. I had eggs that didn't hatch during the 12-14 day period. 2 days later still nothing, and I thought they were goners. Sure enough, I open that box to find new, healthy, hatched bluebirds! I'd give it a little time. The birds may eventually figure it out too. If they abandon or re-lay, I'd examine the old eggs to find out what was wrong with them. ~Tim~

Check the box right away for ants, wasps etc. Put a straw twig across the opening so you can see if they are just being elusive. Call a rehabber now because it can take them some time to get back to you, alert them to the fact you may have a problem. Just be VERY sure there is no parent coming before taking the babies, also I have hand fed meal worms to babies before, need to mush them up a bit and hold them with tweezers (dull ones)do not force feed just hope they gape for you. Call this number....1 734-761-9640 they may be able to help. Karen is right it would be odd for both parents to have gone missing.