Cackle surprise box questions

[TurkeyTurk]

Hello, I was looking into the surprise boxes from cackle hatchery and I really want to get one but I had a few questions. 1) Has anyone bought one? And if so, was it worth it? 2) I want to get the mini box with comes with at least 18 birds, so I plan on keeping a couple but selling the rest. So, where's a good place to sell chickens/ducks/whatever I get from the box? Preferably sell them as pets or for eggs. 3) I have a BB turkey hen currently, she's 1 1/2 years old, and we use her for eggs. Should I use a brooder or could I put them with my hen? 4) And lastly, since I could get literally anything in the box what's a good starter food for a variety of species and breeds?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

So, I can only answer a couple of those, which I will address in reverse order.

4) "All-Flock". or "Flock Raiser". Both alternate names for substantially the same thing - a generic poultry feed that's good for a lot of things, not great at anything, and also not dangerous too anything. Its moderately high in protein, good for growing birds of all sorts, and meaties and game particularly, but not so high as to potentially encourage angel wing in ducks, geese, and related species. It has calcium for bone growth, not enough to support layers, but not so much as to damage the kidneys of all the males, and any not laying, particularly in formative months. It should be higher in certain trace minerals, like niacin, than a similar protein percentage pure chicken feed, for the benefit of species that need it. Though it being a trace mineral, the differences are quite small.

3) I'll defer to others here.

2) If you are selling them, its up to the buyer what is done with them - once sold, they are beyond your control. You can't guarantee they will be kept as pets, layers, etc. Where to sell them will depend on your location and your neighbors. FB Marketplace. Craig's list. You may have a local "Green sheet". Farmer's markets/community swaps. A pin up board at the local ag extension. The local Buy/Sell/Swap threads here at BYC. Where you choose to advertise will help to alter the nature of your buyers. A mention at the local PTA that you have baby chicks available for purchase is a different crowd than the Saturday farmer's market - and the uptown organic produce market is likely different crowd than the market outside the county farmer's coop.

1) Not me. I prefer greater certainty, as my resources are limited and my needs are specific.

 

[Willow2253]

I wouldn't recommend putting new chicks with your turkey unless she's broody. She may try to hurt them. Hand raising them in a brooder would be easier. You'll need a pretty big brooder for 18+ chicks too. Be sure you're prepared for whatever birds you could get out of it.