communication expectations with hatchery?

[WMassforestflock]

Leaving out identifying details to protect this breeder, hoping for the best. If this ends badly, I will write a separate post.

Last year I started my backyard flock without previous experience. This year I pre-ordered chicks from a local-ish breeder to get some less-common breeds. I placed my pre-order at the very beginning of February. The breeder never communicated with me about when to expect delivery (well, pickup) of the chicks so last week I emailed to check in. They were friendly and said I would get chicks from a hatch this past week and they would contact me "on hatch day." Two days after hatch day I hadn't heard anything so I sent another friendly email... it's now been three days with no response. I don't want to harass them because I know they're busy and I want to hope that they are doing the best they can and they will get back to me any second. At the same time, I see now on these forums that a few years back a bunch of people had terrible experiences with them. They were called a "scam" repeatedly on a thread. If they are flaking out on me for whatever reason (quite possibly legitimate ones), I would like to know that ASAP so I can order elsewhere. I really feel like they should have given me some sort of initial update on what their hatching and notification timeline would be (even "we expect our first hatch on X date and will notify buyers when their chicks are ready to be picked up," which would have felt like not enough specific notice but would at least be something). Is this level of communication typical in this industry? Are my expectations too high? Am I being too forgiving? What would you do?

TL;DR: I pre-ordered local chicks almost 3 months ago, breeder has never initiated contact with me, promised chicks this week and now is not replying to email. What are reasonable expectations on communication?

 

[Acre4Me]

sounds like a disorganized business at best, and a scam at worst. How did you order and pay? Phone? Mail? Credit card? Check?

you may want to order chicks elsewhere just so you have some to raise this year. If this breeder has what you really desire, then I’d step up the attempts to communicate.

 

[cottontail farm]

I would drop this and find a reputable source ASAP. you should not have to chase someone down to sell you something (especially a live animal). Have you already paid them? Hopefully you can recover your money.

 

[joydix]

i agree. no reputable hatchery would act like that or as this case...NOT act at all. go elsewhere and cancel payment. if they are that lax you dont want to participate when lives at stake. and...then you can tell us who it was to avoid anyone else going thru this. so many legit hatcheries....what is it you wanted?? there must be other sources! kip us posted...please?

 

[WMassforestflock]

Well, I'm glad I gave them the benefit of the doubt. I emailed again. Turns out that their hatch had come two days late, the night before I emailed, and they were about to email me and their other customers. I left immediately and brought home even more beautiful chicks than I had ordered . On top of a late hatch, they had lots of mammalian livestock births this week and they were just behind on their email. It was frustrating for me as a customer to be left hanging (obviously) and if I were in their shoes I would certainly have made some sort of announcement telling everyone to hold tight, but there was a good explanation.

Had a wonderful conversation with them at pickup (from a social distance) and I now believe that the old "scam" reviews were for entirely forgivable circumstances... there was a breeder whose niche was importing rare birds to breed, but he was terrible at filling orders and went out of business. My breeders bought his birds and incubators and put out a call on Facebook that they would try to fill his open orders, just out of goodwill and sense of community with other chicken lovers (they were not seeking payment). Well, almost a hundred unfulfilled orders came knocking on their door, they couldn't fill all of them at once, and then those angry customers turned their wrath on my breeder online. Those customers were scammed, but not by this breeder.

These folks were very well intentioned, maybe a little naive, and this episode obviously turned into an extremely stressful year of their lives, and they are still dealing with the fallout occasionally. My conclusion is that they are good people with healthy, happy animals. Their reviews on other platforms confirm this. I think these folks are very good members of our community. Here's to second chances.

 

[Acre4Me]

Great to hear @WMassforestflock!!

so, disorganization Rather than a scam! The disorganization caused by things out of their control, which is completely understandable! I’m always for stepping up communication attempts in situations like this, so I’m glad it’s all resolved and chicks are home.

pictures of cute fluffy chicks would be great if you get a chance! Also thanks for giving us the whole story!

 

[WMassforestflock]

pictures of cute fluffy chicks would be great if you get a chance!

Aww, twist my arm!!

This last one came from a different breeder. She has a slightly deformed toe on each foot. We named her Thor.

 

[Acre4Me]

Thanks!!! Really great pictures and really cute chicks!!