Anyone had Dark Cornish from Cackle or McMurray?

[matte]

What was your experience with Dark Cornish from which hatchery?

 

[Sparklee]

Last year I got Dark Cornish from Ideal and McMurray. The difference was like night and day. Ideal were vigorous and drank and ate right away. Mailed by air from TX. Flew 1/2 way across country and arrived same evening(I could read the sticker the airport put on the box). Robust chicks.

McMurray, were ordered to arrive a week later. They were sent "SURFACE MAIL" and I lost one chick the first day. They were droopy and tired and it was difficult to get them all to drink and eat. For probably 2 months I could tell the difference between the Ideal birds and the McMurray birds because the Ideal birds flourished. They were in same brooder being so close in age that it didn't matter.

I finally did mark the Ideal birds so that I could continue to tell them apart. I've got about 5 left, 3 of Ideal and 2 of McMurray and I can no longer tell the difference now at 6+ months. Have a friend who orders from McMurray -the dark cornish- every year and loves what she gets. So, you just never really know. I think mailing them surface mail was what made the difference.

I ordered other breeds (not Dark Cornish) from Cackle last year and they were my favorite standard hatchery to deal with. Great birds, good sexing, even gave me a girl for one of the extras. I'm sure that doesn't always happen, but I was tickled.

 

[matte]

Quote:
Great. Thanks for the information, Sparklee! I've ordered other breeds from Ideal and McMurray before and usually had decent results from each. I'm really thinking about Cackle for the first time this year. They are only one state away and their New Hampshires "sound" good. I've never had Dark Cornish before, but want to try some. I believe I'll order both from Cackle and see what I get.