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

[dealfinder500]

Just an update: I've had my surprise for almost a month now. I only lost 1 chick, and that was due to putting them into too small of a brooder at first. Since then, I've not lost one.

Most of them are just starting to feather out. I've noticed that some of the pictures of the baby chicks on their website or in their catalog are not correct. I thought I had 3 Black Rose Comb Bantams, as the pictures of the chicks both online and in the catalog looked like that, but now that they've gotten a bit bigger, I see that they are black silkies. But they looked nothing like the picture of the black silkie chicks.

I really enjoyed the variety I received. They included 2-3 of most breeds.

 

[clovepink]

Just an update: I've had my surprise for almost a month now. I only lost 1 chick, and that was due to putting them into too small of a brooder at first. Since then, I've not lost one.

Most of them are just starting to feather out. I've noticed that some of the pictures of the baby chicks on their website or in their catalog are not correct. I thought I had 3 Black Rose Comb Bantams, as the pictures of the chicks both online and in the catalog looked like that, but now that they've gotten a bit bigger, I see that they are black silkies. But they looked nothing like the picture of the black silkie chicks.

I really enjoyed the variety I received. They included 2-3 of most breeds.

I'm so glad you had a good experience and healthy birds. Lately, it had seemed the only surprise involved was how many chicks would die. I had even begun to look at similar offerings at other hatcheries, but none of them could match the fun and excitement of this one the way it used to be.

 

[popsicle]

Just an update: I've had my surprise for almost a month now. I only lost 1 chick, and that was due to putting them into too small of a brooder at first. Since then, I've not lost one.

Most of them are just starting to feather out. I've noticed that some of the pictures of the baby chicks on their website or in their catalog are not correct. I thought I had 3 Black Rose Comb Bantams, as the pictures of the chicks both online and in the catalog looked like that, but now that they've gotten a bit bigger, I see that they are black silkies. But they looked nothing like the picture of the black silkie chicks.

I really enjoyed the variety I received. They included 2-3 of most breeds.

Thanks for the update. I'm happy to see that the chicks are doing well, like SlipsWife my group had a rough start--but it was extremely cold while they were in transit.

I'm confused how the photos online would be SO misleading that you would mistake a feather shanked bird for a non-feather shanked bird. Looking back at the photo you posted, where you said that you thought they were Rose Comb Bantams, I'm surprised somebody didn't catch that because they are obvious Silkies. Don't be surprised if you Sultans are white or buff Silkies too--that's what they look like to me (and I believe somebody mentions that below your post).

 

[dealfinder500]

Well, if you look in the catalog, the pictures for the black rose comb chicks are all black. If you look at the black silkies, they have lighter coloring. They looked exactly like the picture for the rose combs. Combine that with the fact that I'm a novice at it... and there you go!

 

[popsicle]

On the website, the black silkie chick photo won't come up for me and I gave my catalog to a friend. I know that I can never tell blue, black and the darker splash silkie chicks apart--they all seem kinda grayish to me. I'd think with the black rose combs they would look more like a typical chick of a black breed--kinda penguin like, with back back and white belly. But again, I don't have the catalog anymore, but this is the picture they have online:

ETA: they might have different chick photos in the print catalog, I know I had a hard time with a couple solid black chicks last year.

 

[LooseyGoosey]

Well, if you look in the catalog, the pictures for the black rose comb chicks are all black. If you look at the black silkies, they have lighter coloring. They looked exactly like the picture for the rose combs. Combine that with the fact that I'm a novice at it... and there you go!

I realized that you have to get way more in depth with identifying these birds because some of them really don't look like the pictures. You really have to read into each breed - what type of comb? what color skin and legs? If you checked that the skin was black, would you have known they were silkies?

 

[dealfinder500]

I realized that you have to get way more in depth with identifying these birds because some of them really don't look like the pictures. You really have to read into each breed - what type of comb? what color skin and legs? If you checked that the skin was black, would you have known they were silkies?

See, I knew that silkies had black skin, but I wasn't sure if the rose combs also had black skin, or 5 toes.

It would be real handy to make a chart where you could list that this breed has 5 toes, these kinds have black skin, these kinds have this kind of comb, this kind has this kind of marking, etc. But of course, I don't know how many more surprises I'm going to be ordering

Also, how do you tell the comb when they are just chicks?

 

[popsicle]

See, I knew that silkies had black skin, but I wasn't sure if the rose combs also had black skin, or 5 toes.

It would be real handy to make a chart where you could list that this breed has 5 toes, these kinds have black skin, these kinds have this kind of comb, this kind has this kind of marking, etc. But of course, I don't know how many more surprises I'm going to be ordering

Also, how do you tell the comb when they are just chicks?

The rose comb and the Silkie's walnut comb look similar, they're just a flat little spot--in that regard it's easy to mistake them. Single combs look like a mini saw blade--so telling a black Silkie from a black Cochin would be simple (besides the 5 toes). I find some non-black-skinned chicks seem to have black combs and skin that will lighten up as they grow--for example those rose combs above.

If I were better at programing, I would create an app that would basically be a dichotomous key for chicks, that would end up giving you a list of potential breeds. Somebody wanna get on top of that?

 

[LavLady]

If I were better at programing, I would create an app that would basically be a dichotomous key for chicks, that would end up giving you a list of potential breeds.  Somebody wanna get on top of that?

I second that motion!

The rose comb and the Silkie's walnut comb look similar, they're just a flat little spot--in that regard it's easy to mistake them.  Single combs look like a mini saw blade--so telling a black Silkie from a black Cochin would be simple (besides the 5 toes).  I find some non-black-skinned chicks seem to have black combs and skin that will lighten up as they grow--for example those rose combs above.

If I were better at programing, I would create an app that would basically be a dichotomous key for chicks, that would end up giving you a list of potential breeds.  Somebody wanna get on top of that?
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[tookietoo]

Hello everyone. I'm new here but I couldn't help but joining in. I am going to order my very first surprise tomorrow and I am so ooooo excited. I just wanted to share that with you all. (My husband and kids are tired of hearing it already.)lol