hatchery suprises and assortments.love 'em...hate 'em

[prov31gal]

i want to know who has had any kind of hatchery suprise special......or hatchery pick assortment....what did you get, were you pleased, was it a good assortment, was it what you thought it would be? what do you think about deals like this? was it worth it?
im concerned i might get 50 rir roos or something, that ever happen to anyone? anyone ever get something REALLY awsome? have trouble figuring out what you had? did you sell excess, keep them all?

 

[houndit]

We got Mcmurrays fry pan special one time. They were mainly game roosters that caused a lot of fighting and trouble. We were not real happy, but that was before we new much about chickens.

 

[J3172]

I just got the ideal bantam assortment last week, and I think it was a great deal. My favorite breeds are WCB polish, cochins, and OEGBs. I got a WCB polish but it was DOA and two black cochins out of the mix. Its fun trying to figure out what I have, but at the same time I wish I knew. lol

 

[scorpian5]

I have some bantams from ideal being shipped out tomorrow so i hope there is good assortment.

 

[prov31gal]

yes, im sure i want to get a hatchery surprise from cackle. i love suprises! and chickens! i know there are some people who had gotten a hatchery suprise, i wonder if they will chime in?

 

[deanawo]

I got the pullet surprise from Ideal a couple of weeks ago. I did it b/c this is the first time my kids have even seen a live chicken and I thought a variety would be more fun for them. I ordered 25, received 27, lost two within a couple of days. The rest are doing well. My assortment is mostly HUGE RIR's, there are about 4-5 varieties total though. I am not for sure what the others are but I think a couple of EE's & either some BO's or Leghorns, can't tell. Also way too soon to tell how well they did with the sexing. We love them, they are adorable.

 

[Illia]

Quote:
I've always been curious of their rooster collection, as they put quite a few rare breeds in there like Asils and Dorkings - Did you have any pics?

As for me - I've never gotten any assortments, my only surprises were from the "exotic free chick" - Which was an EE, not an exotic bird. . But I've heard from some that in their "tophat assortments" they often get crossbred polish. EE x Polish, Leghorn x Polish, etc.

 

[Ariel301]

I just made my first ever hatchery order, and we ordered Ideal's bantam assortment special. I'm nervous about getting all males or all breeds I don't like (i.e. a big box full of Silkies and they are all male!) so we will see how it goes.

 

[scorpian5]

Most hatcheries try there best to keep you happy as they want repeat orders. My bantams should be here first thing in the morning. I ordered ducks from ideal a few years ago and out of 30 i think 6 were males.

 

[embkm]

I ordered the Ideal Bantam special. I recieved mostly frizzles and cochins, I believe. I have 3 silkies. I only had 6 that were clean legged, and of those only 2 lived. Unfortunately, 11 of them died the first day and a half. I should be getting the replacements tomorrow morning, hopefully there will be a few more clean leggers and way less frizzles (although they are growing on me).

I was very pleased with their customer service though. I don't know if I would order this assortment again though. But if I had a farm and plenty of room, I would definitely order a Barnyard special with the mix of pullets and ducks, geese, and turkeys.