Cackle Hatchery Review

[Jrose]

The brain swelling issue is like... fluid pooled up at the base of the neck? I’ve had a few chicks hatch with it over the years, a couple survived. I researched it years ago and though I forget the details of what I read, I have it in my head that it’s exacerbated by excess heat, and the chicks i pulled through were kept as cool as possible until the swelling went down. The chicks look like they have a rigid upper neck and/or an elongated skull. They move their heads in jerky motions and are not balanced. They rest their heads constantly and look to be in pain. I’ve only seen it hatchlings; they hatch with the swelling. I’ve never had it developed post-hatch.

If the hatchery can’t stall shipment due to weather, and if I place my order in January so I can reserve the birds I need, and THEY pick the shipping date, then it’s a moot point hinting at me that I shouldn’t be ordering chicks in this weather. Seriously, guys.

All but 1 sebright have died, as I expected. The last one seems stronger, hoping it pulls through. Lost 1 more brassy, the last really weak one.
The spangled and fayoumis still look great. And the large fowl likewise.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Interesting about the brain swelling. That is something I am unfamiliar with. Now I need to learn and research about it.

Again, I am sorry for your losses.

 

[Jrose]

I tried to look it up again to possibly find a diagnosis name but I couldn’t find many relative search results. I’ve seen it severe enough to where the neck is swollen thicker than the skull. These two weren’t that bad, but their skulls still looked 50% longer than they actually were because of the swelling; it limits their ability to curve their neck and move their head properly, makes their head stick out funny. I’ve hatched thousands of chicks and seen this maybe a dozen times. Like I said, I’ve never had it develope post hatch. I’d be interested if anyone knows the term for it.
I’m disappointed that the chicks were selected for shipment with a malady like that. I dunno though. All the sebrights looked terrible. I’m rooting for the survivor!

 

[21hens-incharge]

This maybe?


http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/cerebellar-hypoplasia-and-hydrocephalus

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I don’t think anyone is suggesting that you did anything wrong... unfortunately when ordering early or late in the season temps just become a matter of chance.

My suggestion to include shipping distance was more to help “the next person” ... since your thread is titled with the word review it will no doubt turn up in future searches... and mentioning that info helps other people think about distance... it’s just something that I like to see in a review of hatcheries... I also like to know about inclusion of heat packs etc., ... and I like to know about chick quality issues such as the brain swell...and any hereditary issues, and so on.

It’s unfortunate that there are losses... and I too would tend to think that the brain swelling issues are not weather or distance related.

It sounds like you’re experienced in raising new chicks, and are on top of it.

Again thanks for the very fair review.

Edit: also please let us know if the staff is professional, helpful and friendly ... or not when speaking with them about the issues.

 

[joydix]

Just thought I'd share my experience since it's the chick-buying season and, like myself, I'm sure others are reading up on hatcheries.

I chose Cackle because of good reviews; plus they had all the breeds I wanted.
We ordered 45 chicks; 25 larger brown egg layers (5 each of 5 different breeds), 5 Egyptian Fayoumis, and 15 bantams between 3 varieties (golden sebright, brassy backed OEG, and spangled OEG). We received 1 extra of each bantam and the fayoumis for a total of 5 extra.

Upon arrival one of the Golden Sebrights was dead, two others had deformed heads or brain swelling of some sort. One brassy-backed OEG had splay leg and wasn't looking good.

Within the first few hours we've lost 1 sebright with the deformed head, the brassy back OEG with the splay leg, and a brassy back OEG that was really weak. I also just lost the tiniest spangled OEG. So we're down 5 chicks right now.
I expect by morning all of the sebrights will be dead; they're all pathetic, limp, and won't open their eyes. All but 1 of the brassy backs looks to be dying. They've been listless and won't open their eyes since we got them.

I'm not smearing Cackle; I will contact them in the morning when I see who survives the night. I'll give an update about their response, which I have positive hopes for.
But I'm not super impressed by the bantams. Especially not with receiving chicks with splay leg and brain swelling.
Every single large fowl bird is doing great, and the little fayoumis are as well. Most of the spangled OEG look good, but the other two bantam breeds look doomed.

Of course everyone got electrolytes and a warm welcome; not much more I can do for em...

Just thought I'd share my experience since it's the chick-buying season and, like myself, I'm sure others are reading up on hatcheries.

I chose Cackle because of good reviews; plus they had all the breeds I wanted.
We ordered 45 chicks; 25 larger brown egg layers (5 each of 5 different breeds), 5 Egyptian Fayoumis, and 15 bantams between 3 varieties (golden sebright, brassy backed OEG, and spangled OEG). We received 1 extra of each bantam and the fayoumis for a total of 5 extra.

Upon arrival one of the Golden Sebrights was dead, two others had deformed heads or brain swelling of some sort. One brassy-backed OEG had splay leg and wasn't looking good.

Within the first few hours we've lost 1 sebright with the deformed head, the brassy back OEG with the splay leg, and a brassy back OEG that was really weak. I also just lost the tiniest spangled OEG. So we're down 5 chicks right now.
I expect by morning all of the sebrights will be dead; they're all pathetic, limp, and won't open their eyes. All but 1 of the brassy backs looks to be dying. They've been listless and won't open their eyes since we got them.

I'm not smearing Cackle; I will contact them in the morning when I see who survives the night. I'll give an update about their response, which I have positive hopes for.
But I'm not super impressed by the bantams. Especially not with receiving chicks with splay leg and brain swelling.
Every single large fowl bird is doing great, and the little fayoumis are as well. Most of the spangled OEG look good, but the other two bantam breeds look doomed.

Of course everyone got electrolytes and a warm welcome; not much more I can do for em...

first of all i think too cold now to be shipping birds to your area and its a hard journey. i have given up ever ordering bantams online. i have never had a good experience with any hatchery. it i order 10, 3 survive...i have just resorted to hatching my own and have had great success with eBay for different breeds....you cant buy them sexed anyway...so why not! that has been my experience and i have used 3-4 diff. hatcheries over last 6 years...im sorry to hear of your losses...it is so hard i know!

 

[MagpieDucks]

first of all i think too cold now to be shipping birds to your area and its a hard journey.

Let me just say that I had 9 chicks shipped close to 1,000 miles in less than 2 days. It was 1°F when I went to pick them up.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Let me just say that I had 9 chicks shipped close to 1,000 miles in less than 2 days. It was 1°F when I went to pick them up.

And all was well? Or no? you kind of left us to assume the important part there!

One reason I'm interested in the distance is I was considering getting chicks from a hatchery that is a long distance from me, but I'm concerned about it... but it's hard to find "reviews" where the person ever says if the chicks were shipped 10 miles or 1000 miles

 

[MagpieDucks]

And all was well? Or no? you kind of left us to assume the important part there!

One reason I'm interested in the distance is I was considering getting chicks from a hatchery that is a long distance from me, but I'm concerned about it... but it's hard to find "reviews" where the person ever says if the chicks were shipped 10 miles or 1000 miles

Oh, yes, sorry. The chicks were perfectly healthy and alert!

 

[Jrose]

I will update my original post as well, but here’s the update!

Cackle CS was very thorough and friendly. We spent quite some time reviewing my care and setup. With that up to their standards, they are giving me another day to see if there are any more losses. I will call back tomorrow with the final report. I am impressed with that gesture!

They are offering a refund for losses minus extras sent. Or a re-ship, but they don’t recommend the re-ship unless I order lots of birds again. I wouldn’t order another round of bantams this month if the journey is this hard on em :s

Cackle said normally this time of year is fine for shipping, but it’s been freaky cold and they’ve had a lots of problems with their shipments and USPS handling.
I’ll be calling back tomorrow to update and finalize with them!