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

[OurSweetLabs]

It looks like they were all chicks, I was hoping for keets. Maybe next time

Not really sure of what all they are, but they are healthy and sweet

Here are a few group shots

 

[cassie]

Look in the catalog. I am not sure where mine is so I can't check, but I don't think they ship guineas this late in the year.That is true for certain other varieties of poultry also.

 

[hope4rainbow]

Dang, is LOVE to get one of these!
We already have two definite cockerels out of twelve birds, so we need more girls, not more everything. I've read all pages if this, wishing!

 

[popsicle]

Well, I did it, I ordered the Hatchery Surprise again... still waiting for a ship date. I better get my brooder dusted out.

 

[oldrooster]

Well, I did it, I ordered the Hatchery Surprise again... still waiting for a ship date. I better get my brooder dusted out.

with chicken math in mind and your last comment reminds me of a line from a brittney spears song. ooops I did it again.....

 

[Bullitt]

Well, I did it, I ordered the Hatchery Surprise again... still waiting for a ship date. I better get my brooder dusted out.

This thread is so long, I may have commented on this thread before and not remember.

My father ordered the hatchery surprise from Cackle Hatchery two years ago. I think he received something like 50 chicks and 3 ducklings. The flat price is $60.95 with shipping. That works out to just over a dollar per bird.

I can't remember all the breeds my father received. But I do remember there were Light Brahma, Australorp, Turken (Naked Neck), and other breeds. There were pullets and cockerels.

This has to be the best deal I have seen. You can use the cockerels for meat and the pullets for eggs. Or sell some of the chicks and pay for feed.

What did you get the last time you ordered the hatchery surprise?

 

[popsicle]

Last year I got 42 birds for $60.95--that's $1.45/bird.

What was in the box:
My final count
38 chicks + 2 ducklings + 2 poults = 42 birds total!
4 Black Cochin - 2 pairs
4 BSL pullets
4 Cuckoo Marnas pullets
4 Silkies (2 black, 2 buff) one black was severely spradle legged and died soon after arrival--the other three are pullets.
4 Silver Lakenvelders (2 pairs)
8 red chicks--ALL pullets, not sure if production red, cherry eggers, New Hampshire or a mix
2 Silver Laced Wyandottes (2 pullets)
2 Golden Laced Polish (one hen, sold the other)
2 Mottled Houdan (pair)
2 Turken (1 black, 1 wheaten)
2 Sicilian Buttercups (sold them)

2 Fawn Runner ducks
2 BBW Turkeys

My box was very pullet heavy!

 

[Bullitt]

Last year I got 42 birds for $60.95--that's $1.45/bird.

What was in the box:
My final count
38 chicks + 2 ducklings + 2 poults = 42 birds total!
4 Black Cochin - 2 pairs
4 BSL pullets
4 Cuckoo Marnas pullets
4 Silkies (2 black, 2 buff) one black was severely spradle legged and died soon after arrival--the other three are pullets.
4 Silver Lakenvelders (2 pairs)
8 red chicks--ALL pullets, not sure if production red, cherry eggers, New Hampshire or a mix
2 Silver Laced Wyandottes (2 pullets)
2 Golden Laced Polish (one hen, sold the other)
2 Mottled Houdan (pair)
2 Turken (1 black, 1 wheaten)
2 Sicilian Buttercups (sold them)

2 Fawn Runner ducks
2 BBW Turkeys

My box was very pullet heavy!

Wow, you received a wide variety of breeds.

So you received more than half pullets?

I am sure the time of year affects what birds are received, particularly with the ducks and turkeys.

 

[popsicle]

Wow, you received a wide variety of breeds.

So you received more than half pullets?

I am sure the time of year affects what birds are received, particularly with the ducks and turkeys.

Considering I had 4 BSL, 4 Cuckoo Marans and 8 red layer pullets right off the bat, and all the others seemed to be at least 50% pullets, I was thrilled. I sold the Turkens, but considering one was obvious wheaten, I assume they were a pair also. Others sold I'm not sure of.

 

[SlipsWife]

I ordered our surprise today! I requested a March ship date since my husband told me I couldn't order it until March...there was no way I could wait that long to order

We loved our assortment from last year, regret selling as many as we did thinking we didn't need that many. This year my husband said we're hanging onto all of them until the mature all the way out to see who we really want. I'm afraid we sold some awesome chicks not knowing what they were...