Ideal Poultry!

[_Wildwood_]

Called Ideal today and they refunded me for the three I had lost, even though they were notified after their three day guarantee (which I didn't know about).

So after that experience with their wonderful customer service, I will defiantly be ordering from them again in the future.

 

[IdasChickens]

I have some goslings from Ideal, my ducklings are from Cackle. I'm considering ordering more and I'm still trying to decide where to order from (Cackle, Metzer or Ideal). Did you get the sneezing figured out?

(by the way, I love you avatar--I've got two Siberians)

Hi popsicle!

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I've had my hands FULL (of duckling and chicks...) the last few weeks.

You may have already ordered your birds but just to keep you updated, the rest of my ducks are doing good, so far.
(I have 9 left from the order. I had one Black Swedish DOA on the first order, and one die shortly after arrival on the second order.)

The first order of ducks; 2 Snowy Mallards, 2 Khaki Campbells, and one Blue Swedish, are thriving....and HUGE! All except for one of the KC which is just a bit smaller and lost her down in the first week. She then grew it back and she started to grow bigger once I started giving them all the brewers yeast tabs (niacin).

The other 4 (second order) are Blue and Black Swedish and they are a week younger than the rest.
I had one VERY small Black Swedish arrive in that order, the one who was sneezing.
I then noticed some of the others from the same order sneezing. No watery eyes or nostrils, and their poo seemed normal...not too watery. But still sneezing.

Anyway, I let that go on for several days until I noticed one of the others from the first order sneezing who had not been previously (they were not sharing a brooder but they were/are sharing the same room). At that point I decided to say, "Forget this! "I don't need my whole flock sick!" and started them all on antibiotics.

Now, I know using antibiotics for an "unknown" ailment is not always recommended, because if it is a viral infection, it wont help anyway and we all know the overuse of antibiotics is bad. But, I went for it....I did a week of Duramycin-10 at 0.4 grams per gallon. As I mentioned, I ALSO was adding brewers yeast to their food in addition to electrolytes, vitamins and probiotics (Sav-A-Chick) to their water. AND ALWAYS I offer fresh, un-medicated water in addition to everything else.

Now they have all stopped sneezing and are happy and growing! So, whether it was just some sort of allergy, or dust ( I use TSC litter), or a cold, or vitamin deficiency, or they did actually have a lung infection....unfortunately, I will never know for sure. And using the Duramycin-10 was an absolute LAST resort for us, especially since the package doesn't say anything about ducks, never mind week old ducklings. I probably just got incredibly lucky with this (or, I didn't need the luck to begin with because they were never really sick?)

Anyway....Thanks for asking! Did you place your order? Who did you go with? What did you get?

Best,
Idas Chickens

P.S- We are pretty sure our dog is a Samoyed mix of some type, maybe some Malamute in her too. She's almost 11 years old! She's the greatest dog we've had yet! Love her to bits!!

P.P.S- If you have not ordered your chicks yet, I have read wonderful things about Metzer waterfowl, although, I have no personal experience with them. We are however, happy with the customer service at Ideal, and their shipping rates are great! And as of now, knock on wood, all the duckies (and packing peanut roos) seem to be doing well, even if they needed a little extra care to start.

And lastly, my Snowy Mallards from Ideal are the SWEETEST ducks ever! Very friendly and social...much more than the other ducks. They are the only ones that come up to us when we approach while all the others still run away! Its good we have a "No livestock in the house!" rule, otherwise, I could see these little gals hanging out in the living room with us watching movies!

Sorry about this long post everyone. When I was just starting out, I scoured the internet for as much information and other peoples personal experiences as possible! So, hope this all helps!

 

[IdasChickens]

Well, I don't think I'll be ordering from Ideal again. Half of my ducks have died since receiving them.

The ones that died were smaller and just never really thrived.

I'm so sorry to hear that, NaturalBunny...
We had some trouble with our ducklings as well. We have several that are/were very small (and were sneezing).
They have taken up quite a bit of my time because of the extra TLC, not to mention we've purchased almost every poultry Rx and vitamin from TSC that seems safe for ducks.
I'm wondering now if Ideal doesn't have something going through their facility. Not trying to start anything here, it's just... the suddenly downed website, other folks losing ducklings, our sick ducks.... it just all seems to coincide. But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say it was probably just a coincidence.

Again, I am SO sorry for you losses. If I could give you a real hug, I would.

Hope the rest of your baby ducks are doing okay.

Best,
Idas Chickens

 

[IdasChickens]

Called Ideal today and they refunded me for the three I had lost, even though they were notified after their three day guarantee (which I didn't know about).

So after that experience with their wonderful customer service, I will defiantly be ordering from them again in the future.

They do have very friendly and helpful customer service! They are also great at replacing lost birds and refunding (as long as the losses are reported timely).

Sounds like they were very helpful to you!

Idas Chickens

 

[popsicle]

I haven't ordered ducks yet. I'm mostly waiting for Ideal to start offering their overhatch specials again. I have been looking at Metzer too.

 

[IdasChickens]

I haven't ordered ducks yet. I'm mostly waiting for Ideal to start offering their overhatch specials again. I have been looking at Metzer too.

The deals are always great! Not sure if you use Facebook or not, but I "liked" all of the different hatchery pages so I get updates on their specials. (Meyer had FREE SHIPPING once! That was awesome!....but I could only find the deal through Facebook).

Otherwise, just signing up for the emails and catalogs are obviously a great way to get the deals too!

Personally, I've had my eye on the Cackle Hatchery's "Surprise" box. Not right now though...too much already on my plate...

Good luck with your order!

Idas Chickens

 

[chickenSpool]

Updated pics of my girls from Jan. 29th ship/hatch

 

[JerseyHen]

I just got my chick order today! They only shipped out yesterday and were here by this morning. I was completely surprised to get the call this morning from the PO. All 30 arrived healthy and peeping away in a well packed box. The Ideal folks were also kind enough to amend my order at the last minute and add some bantams to the order.

 

[popsicle]

I just got my chick order today! They only shipped out yesterday and were here by this morning. I was completely surprised to get the call this morning from the PO. All 30 arrived healthy and peeping away in a well packed box. The Ideal folks were also kind enough to amend my order at the last minute and add some bantams to the order.

I had a similar experience. I ordered 8 chicks and 2 goslings back in January from Ideal along with another order from Cackle. My husband kept promising most of the Cackle chicks to friends, so I called Ideal to have a few more pullets added. I was told everything was sold out but she would see what she could do. Got the email one day, and figured they would actually leave TX the following morning--or at least spend the next day in Kansas City or wherever mail goes--NOPE, phone call bright and early the next day. All chicks were there including the ones I called in later and there were even a few extras of the breeds I ordered Straight Run.

 

[dstinett]

I have had great luck with Ideal. I've ordered 5-6 times. I only have lost 2 chicks out of all my orders and 2 unwanted roosters. I can't hold that against them. most are not show quality but close enough for me. they have great selection and good pricing. The pic is of one of their Spitzhauben. She was selected to be in the book, how raise chickens for dummies. I am so proud!!! Just goes to show that a bird does not have to be show quality or come from an overpriced breeder to be a super model