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Yeah, they also don't really go through the ugly stage that chicks do--they stay cute as they feather in. However, the mess they make and the piles o' poo are not so cute.

Cackle is my preferred hatchery to order from. However, their Rhode Island Whites technically aren't Rhode Island Whites since they have a single comb--Rhode Island Whites should have a rose comb. I don't know if that matters to you. Otherwise yes, their birds are good pet quality layers and...

Feathered shanks, rose comb, pea comb, beards, brown eggs and blue eggs are all dominant or partially dominant traits. Play with the Chicken Calculator to get a better idea of what you might get.

I would figure up the value of the remaining birds by counting them and looking at how much they cost. This may involve some guesstimates as to which breeds they are. You know, like if there were 25 chicks (or more or less depending on breeds) or 15 ducks or 7 turkeys, then they are still...

I figure I wouldn't report for refund/replacement unless the value of the remaining birds was less than the cost of the surprise.

I agree, mix some brown sugar into water and give it to her.

Thanks! I've been out on a limb about ordering those cockerel specials. I think I'll stick to straight run orders for the most part. We have the space to free range and I don't mind small carcasses, but the noise would probably drive me nuts.

What kind of birds did you receive in that Frypan Special? Did any end up pullets? How old were they when you processed them? Were they noisy and obnoxious? Would you do that again rather than order broilers?

I sure will! Here is a link to what I got in the Hatchery Surprise last year. If you read through the thread, you will get a good idea of what people are getting.

Our special last year was very pullet heavy. I would actually prefer to not get turkeys, but they're delicious so it's not the end of the world if I get some. The breeds I ordered should be somewhat easy to pick out--BCM, chanteclers and Buckeye. I also ordered Welsummers which might get...

I think my Cackle Hatchery Surprise also ships on March 3. We'll have to compare! I'm also ordering some specific breeds with the surprise.

I just took the screen shot--they have the wrong date. I'll email them.

Ha! I didn't check an actual calendar, I was just remembering when Ideal listed their higher price from when I was ordering birds.

I don't think you should wait to order them for March or April delivery. Easter is in March, and the ducklings are more expensive during that time, so I assume there is high demand for Easter, and the not-more-expensive weeks before and after Easter.

I think you should call them. I got my ship date from them within 24 hours a week ago.

What you buy at the grocery store are 8 week old CornishX. Any dual purpose cockerel you butcher at 16-weeks or older will taste more like you remember.

I agree--get your brown layers as straight run. The Silkies will be straight run also, and the meat is supposed to be just fine if not excellent. I've processed old leghorn hens, and the meat is fine, but not enough there to bother with raising cockerels for that purpose if there are other...

I ended up ordering a few more from Cackle: White Chanteclers, Black Copper Marans, Welsummer, Buckeye and of course the Hatchery Surprise. I think I'm done ordering birds for the year!

I put in an order to Ideal for a couple each of Kraienkoppe, Orloff, Saipan, Dark Brown Leghorn, and Buff Geese. I'm already wishing I ordered more.