Hello ![Smile :) :)](/styles/byc-smilies/smile.png)
I've never posted before but I've learned a lot from this forum.
Here's my dilemma. Hoping some of you can offer some advice.
I have raised CX meaties for years. About 700 a season. And of course many, many layers. I thought I'd try the ranger type for meat maybe hang onto a few pullets for eggs etc. I have a few customers who like the idea of a 'sustainable' breed chicken.
So, I ordered 100 dixie rainbows. The hatchery included 50 RI red surplus roosters. I've never used this hatchery before - I buy my CX from a hatchery close to me..
All 150 arrived on April 3rd and seemed fine.. Then the carnage begins lol! I lost 25 of the Dixie's the first week. As of today I'm down to 34. Yes that's right I've lost 66 Dixies. Haven't lost a single RIR NOT ONE all are fine. I've tried everything I can think of. You name it: medicated feed, temp check etc etc. they were vaccinated. I have 3 batches of CX in the brooder barn as well and have only lost one. Never have I experienced losses like this. It's nuts!!
So, I email the hatchery the second week. Crickets. Nothing. I email again this time quite angry. I get the bs to call so they can go over my brooder setup. I reply giving her my current loss and phone number and she doesn't even read my the details of email. Says she'll refund me for the amount I have left? Huh?
I really don't want to bag on the hatchery but this is the worst service I've ever experienced. And I really feel the Dixie's are a bad product. They are happy running around just fine, not a one looking questionable. Then I go out a few hours later and there's 4(or so) dead. Not sure if they just have bad immune systems or heart issues...?
Thanks for any help!
![Smile :) :)](/styles/byc-smilies/smile.png)
I've never posted before but I've learned a lot from this forum.
Here's my dilemma. Hoping some of you can offer some advice.
I have raised CX meaties for years. About 700 a season. And of course many, many layers. I thought I'd try the ranger type for meat maybe hang onto a few pullets for eggs etc. I have a few customers who like the idea of a 'sustainable' breed chicken.
So, I ordered 100 dixie rainbows. The hatchery included 50 RI red surplus roosters. I've never used this hatchery before - I buy my CX from a hatchery close to me..
All 150 arrived on April 3rd and seemed fine.. Then the carnage begins lol! I lost 25 of the Dixie's the first week. As of today I'm down to 34. Yes that's right I've lost 66 Dixies. Haven't lost a single RIR NOT ONE all are fine. I've tried everything I can think of. You name it: medicated feed, temp check etc etc. they were vaccinated. I have 3 batches of CX in the brooder barn as well and have only lost one. Never have I experienced losses like this. It's nuts!!
So, I email the hatchery the second week. Crickets. Nothing. I email again this time quite angry. I get the bs to call so they can go over my brooder setup. I reply giving her my current loss and phone number and she doesn't even read my the details of email. Says she'll refund me for the amount I have left? Huh?
I really don't want to bag on the hatchery but this is the worst service I've ever experienced. And I really feel the Dixie's are a bad product. They are happy running around just fine, not a one looking questionable. Then I go out a few hours later and there's 4(or so) dead. Not sure if they just have bad immune systems or heart issues...?
Thanks for any help!