Cackle Hatchery Chicks

[Whooah]

Just a shout out to Cackle Hatchery!

Bought chicks from Tractor Supply last year and they did ok but a couple got sick and died, one had its neck broken by the flock of chicks and they took a while to grow but overall were great egg layers. They were Buff Orpington and Barred Rock.

This year ordered from Cackle based on reputation, watching You Tube, etc.

Ordered females: 3 Buff’s, 3 Barred Rock’s and 4 Light Brahma’s. Also 2 male Light Brahma’s.

They sent more than I ordered - not sure how common that is.

The chicks were very healthy and seemed stronger than last year’s from TS.

Well 9 days later they have grown and are full of vigor! Can’t say enough at this stage about the difference buying direct from Cackle has been!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I've ordered from Cackle three times now, and have been very pleased each time!
Mary

 

[RainForestBird]

I bought a dozen straight run chicks from Cackle Hatchery this past Spring. Within a couple of weeks, they had all developed conjunctivitis. I lost 3 and 3 were blinded by the disease. Today I lost a rooster that I found laying on the floor of the coop. He was one of the blind ones and couldn't get to the feed apparently because he was emaciated and blind. I tried to save him but it was too late. His craw was completely empty. Not only that, one of the chicks came had a congenital defect, no crest. I have kept them isolated from my other chickens since I got them 4 months ago. The conjunctivitis was a particularly hard strain to get rid of, and I don't want them passing this to my other birds. I wrote to the company and we'll see how they respond. I was pretty sick about the whole transaction. I don't think I will ever buy from a hatchery again, I just wanted a particular breed that I could not find elsewhere.

 

[Folly's place]

Do you have a diagnosis? It seems more likely that these chicks picked up something at your place rather than arriving with it.
Having a path report is important, so you know what the problem actually is.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Mycoplasma can come in from wild songbirds, and can be very bad, especially for chicks. There's a swab test for the Mycoplasma group of diseases.
Mary