Hello
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!
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!