I made a post awhile back (maybe 5 or 6 weeks) about how my delaware babies and light brahmas from Cackle were fantastic.
I am still reasonably happy with the brahmas (I expect some death - had three die) but the Delawares are ridiculous. They all arrived fine, a bit small and slow to grow, but I just figured it was Hatchery Chicks and they'd catch up sooner or later.
As of today (about 6 weeks later) I've lost 6 of the Delawares. (I ordered 15 pullets, got 16 of them)
Now, I wanted Dels pretty badly, so I ordered these January 2nd - thinking to get in before all the big orders came - and I knew they didn't start hatching out til mid February, but I figured I could wait a little.
With the weird spring weather my order kept being put back - weren't laying, etc... I finally (after three date changes) got them in early May.
Cackle would call (sometimes) to let me know, a couple of times I had to call to find out what date, etc... I realize they were very busy, so I wrote that off, also, as just being overwhelmed with orders.
I've had chicks from Mt. Healthy (LOTS of them, only had maybe 2 deaths out of over 100 chicks) and if I add in the Brahmas (25 ordered) then out of a total of 40 chicks I've had nearly a 25% death rate.
I don't consider this a good ratio. I have not called Cackle to complain, nor will I - I simply will never buy from them again.
I am only posting this for others who might wish to consider it when making their orders with Cackle - either choose someone else or get extras!!
I've had chicks so far this year from my own hatches (one or two deaths), from Mt. Healthy (no deaths this year) and from another hatchery in PA (no deaths) - the only big number deaths I've had to deal with were from the Cackle shipments. (I've had over 300 chicks from hatcheries this year alone - not including my own hatched babies).
eta - lost two more delaware babies last night. Brings the total chicks from Cackle dead up to 11 out of 40. and of the Delawares, I only had 15 to begin with.
meri
I am still reasonably happy with the brahmas (I expect some death - had three die) but the Delawares are ridiculous. They all arrived fine, a bit small and slow to grow, but I just figured it was Hatchery Chicks and they'd catch up sooner or later.
As of today (about 6 weeks later) I've lost 6 of the Delawares. (I ordered 15 pullets, got 16 of them)
Now, I wanted Dels pretty badly, so I ordered these January 2nd - thinking to get in before all the big orders came - and I knew they didn't start hatching out til mid February, but I figured I could wait a little.
With the weird spring weather my order kept being put back - weren't laying, etc... I finally (after three date changes) got them in early May.
Cackle would call (sometimes) to let me know, a couple of times I had to call to find out what date, etc... I realize they were very busy, so I wrote that off, also, as just being overwhelmed with orders.
I've had chicks from Mt. Healthy (LOTS of them, only had maybe 2 deaths out of over 100 chicks) and if I add in the Brahmas (25 ordered) then out of a total of 40 chicks I've had nearly a 25% death rate.
I don't consider this a good ratio. I have not called Cackle to complain, nor will I - I simply will never buy from them again.
I am only posting this for others who might wish to consider it when making their orders with Cackle - either choose someone else or get extras!!
I've had chicks so far this year from my own hatches (one or two deaths), from Mt. Healthy (no deaths this year) and from another hatchery in PA (no deaths) - the only big number deaths I've had to deal with were from the Cackle shipments. (I've had over 300 chicks from hatcheries this year alone - not including my own hatched babies).
eta - lost two more delaware babies last night. Brings the total chicks from Cackle dead up to 11 out of 40. and of the Delawares, I only had 15 to begin with.
meri
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