Hey from New Mexico

[bumpershoot]

Hi folks! I found this forum by accident this week. A friend and I went in on an order of chicks from a hatchery and it has been a mess. Lots and lots of DOA's and lots of what I would term "failure to thrive". So, I was on the search for smaller breeders who sold eggs from a higher quality stock and ran across this forum. The three breeds of chicken we are currently working on are: barnevelder, partridge cochin and barred rock bantam. Any suggestions? We do have one last replacement shipment from the hatchery coming tomorrow or Monday, but considering we only have 12 out of 50 some-odd chicks still alive, well, we are looking for alternative solutions. I bought an incubator this week and am getting ready to use it!

 

[Cara]

Hi from NM too! I don't raise any of those breeds though, sorry.

 

[Buster]

Let us know what we can do to fill that bator!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Glad to have you here!

 

[bumpershoot]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

 

[Popeye]

Greetings Bumbershoot! Sorry to hear of your loss. Where are you located? My Dad had the rock bantums as I recall....always seemed to do well with them. Maybe it's a space issue?
Best wishes with the replacement group

Popeye

 

[BeardedChick]

I think it's too cold/early to order chicks from hatcheries across the country (I'm a bit N of you in CO). It will be a lot better in a month or so... The feedstore here won't even order chicks from Privett until first of May to prevent DOAs during shipping.

 

[bumpershoot]

Quote:
The bantams that died in transit were killed/squished by the few cochins that lived.

Our replacement order has zero bantams as we figured it would just be a death warrant for them. I do have a credit with the hatchery for these birds, but we only need 4-6 and the hatchery's min order is 25. I thought eggs for the incubator would be a better choice.

 

[bumpershoot]

Quote:
One of the interesting conversations I had with the Hatchery (not Privett) was that they don't have a higher loss of babies this time of year vs. any other time of year. I find that hard to believe, but there you go.

 

[sewchick]

From Old Town, Maine