Freedom Ranges Dying

[eKo_birdies]

Hello all! This is my first post, I actually registered to comment on my experience w/ JM and the whole Freedom Ranger issues.

I received my first ever order from JM Hatchery last Friday, 100 Freedom Rangers. When I got home and opened the box to put them in their brooder I was horrified to find all but 11 dead in one compartment. There were 14 DOA, just completely smashed at the bottom of the box. The other 87 were (and most definitely still are) the healthiest, happiest, smartest baby meat chicks I have ever dealt with. I have had NO issues with any of the ones that arrived healthy, and have not experienced any losses since they have been in my care (**knock on wood).

When I received my order I immediately contacted the hatchery and was informed by Marti that the post office really messed up their orders being shipped to or through the Midwest. Being that I live in Colorado, my chicks were part of that unfortunate mishap. I was offered several options for replacements/refunds (I opted to just add the 14 to my next order that I already placed).

I just wanted to give my experience w/ the hatchery (which has been amazing thus far!) and let people know not to be discouraged if they recently ordered from JM... as this does NOT seem to be the norm.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

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to make it clear the 18 that where left alive are doing great, and I'm getting replacements on the 26th because that was the date I asked for, I was offered refund/replacement/credit I'm very happy with this hatchery.

 

[eKo_birdies]

I didn't think you sounded unhappy with the hatchery themselves... sorry if it seemed that way. I was more "seconding" what you said, that it was issues w/ shipment to our areas.

The hatchery and customer service are amazing. Couldn't ask for more!

 

[jaku]

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Did they say if there was a continuing problem with them shipping to/thru the midwest, or just a particular day/week/month? Hopefully it will be resolved soon.

 

[bshpqr]

Two small ones didnt make yesterday. Today-nothing. The heat/lights are in the right spot, everyone is happy!

Thanks

 

[EGGTASKTIC]

I would have to say that I do not pay that much attention to the exact temp in the brooder. The layers and the broiler all get started in an old 2ft X 4ft packing crate. I use a 150 watt outdoor flood light bulb. Start at about 12 in off the litter, then move it up about 3 or 4 in ever 3 or 4 days for the broilers and a little slower with the layers. From what I have seen the broilers tend to migrate away from the light at about 3 weeks.

The nipple drinkers are super for the chicks much less mess- no shaving and poop in the water.

 

[jaku]

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Do new chicks catch on quickly? I'm considering going to these.

 

[EGGTASKTIC]

Jaku

It was amazing how fast they get the hang of the nipple drinkers. I hand a new batch of cornish X in the brooder, I left them settle down for about 15 mins. Then I just took my finger and jiggled the drinker a bit. A few came to see what was going on and gave the nipple the investigative peck and found water and that was it. I would go with about 3 for 50 chicks. After they started drinking a bit I added the feeders.

Also I used the push in style- they fit snug in a 1/4 in inside dia piece of tubing. A couple fittings, a 5 gal bucket and a little silicon and you can fix up a system in no time. It is so much better then cleaning the waters out.

I use a different set up for the older birds I have- I use a 10 dollar TSC stock tank float valve in a small container (about 4 inches deed ).
I use a piece of hose and hook it to a 15 gal teet dip drum and let gravity feed it- It works slick. IMO the bigger/older birds do better with this system.

 

[bshpqr]

I agree, they caught on really quick. I was a little nervous that they wouldn't. The 100(87 now) are doing great. I have 2 5 foot sections each with 4 nipples and it own 5 gallon bucket. I also made 2 10 foot sections each with 8 nipples and 55 gallon drums hooked up to them . They are the plastic rain barrels. They are elevated in side the barn, so they are not sitting out in the sun. The have the spicets comming off the top with hoses comming from them. The hoses run to the outside of the barn where there is a water connection. I figure that they will be all set when the get big enough to move to there larger pen. Last year when I did 50 I got really tired changing water. Something had to give. This is defenitly the way to. I will never go back to conventional waterers.

 

[jaku]

Nice- I went this year to a bowl type automatic waterer, which is great. It sure beats hauling a six gallon water jug across a 1.5 acre yard twice a day! I don't really like having to keep the hose hooked up to it all the time, but it works great. I'm thinking of going with the nipple drinkers for my new brooder, to keep the waterer free of chips/sand.