Cackle hatchery's Hatchery Surprise- Anybody got this before?

[SlipsWife]

We've had 3 losses so far. One was a Houdan, which didn't surprise me because we've never had one last, I feel like they are very fragile as chicks (at least the ones we've gotten have been). Two others were both from the bantams, they weren't acting very energetic yesterday so that wasn't a surprise either, they weren't interested in food or water.

I'm hoping the silkies make it, we've never had good luck with silkies, they always seem to be the first thing predators get. I'm seriously thinking of ordering another surprise but I should probably wait until next year.

 

[Liddy]

I received a double Hatchery Surprise last May. All 104 wee ones arrived alive and hearty. Within 3 days, I had almost 40% losses, to what I assume was shipping stress.

The contents were heavy on pullets. The cockerels were 2 Columbian, one Appenzeller Spitzhauben, 2 Salmon Faverolles, one Lakenvelder and 2 Polish. All 5 Polish I sent in a trade/sale with the Spitzhauben cockerel for an Auracauna cockerel and four Auracauna hens. I sold a few of the Barred Rocks and have about 8 left. There was a single Cochin, so adorable that I would ahve kept her at 3 days old if I could have. She is now a huge hen and very, very friendly. I still have not ID'd some of the white hens, one of which has willow legs and is likely a beardless Auracauna.

The absolute BEST thing about the Hatchery Surprise was the 3 poults! I have never wanted turkeys but I can't wait to get more. They were friendly and personable and became well-known in Tiny Town. I felt under the weather and didn't get them slaughtered before Thanksgiving, and they spent the day visiting around town. Their pics were all over FB. They went down the hill to the general store in search of paparazzi. They posed in full display, as if to say, "It's Thanksgiving and we're still here. No touching, please!"

They greeted us most mornings, looking in the living room windows from atop the cellar walk-out roof.


All of my chickens are wicked healthy. I put raw apple cider vinegar in their water and for a few days every few weeks, I add food-grade DE to their pellets. When I make Master Tonic, I stir the pulp into crumble for them. To date, I have not lost any of the May arrivals to illness, although a dozen of the flock chose to roost outside with the turkeys after they gave up going in the coop at night and I lost 6 to an owl.

All in all, I am delighted with the experience. I may order the next one a bit later in the year, given that in early May it is still quite cold up here in northern Maine.

 

[twigcrafter]

Turkeys can be so social. lol My neighbor's turkeys used to come visit me . They knew I would give them treats.

 

[suzettex5]

Let's keep this thread alive!!!
Just got my shipment of 2 cackle hatchery surprises today!
Shipment notes said box weighed 16 pounds!!! I figured they sent both surprises in one box and I was right!

Received a total of 110 (!!!!) chicks, only one doa which looked like maybe a Cochin , this count includes 3 ducks!!! Pretty sure they are Pekins.

I asked for no bantams, still got quite a few, but that's ok, I'm sure I'll have no trouble finding new homes for them. I just prefer large fowl.

Only have a couple breeds figured out and looking forward to going through the catalogue and figuring out more!

Let's get this 2017 party started everyone!!

 

[1cock2hens]

// when this thread gets going its one of my favorite

 

[suzettex5]

Got a couple better pics, but it's hard for me to get good ones because the brooder wall is too tall for me to lean over well. (7 months preg and belly gets in the way!)

[/IMG]

 

[suzettex5]

 

[suzettex5]

Sorry for multiple posts, haven't figured out how to add several pics in one post yet, lol!!

Feel free to guess breeds!

 

[twigcrafter]

 

[1cock2hens]

@suzettex5 omgsh i need them all

// i like your setup