my pet chicken reviews

[chickisoup]

After the third attempt I finally got a response from MPC. (I know they are busy this time of year and was trying to give the benefit of the doubt but their policy clearly states you only have 24 to 48 hours after delivery to contact them if you want a correction) When checking for a response from yesterday's message left on the site, the live chat popped up. "just checking if I have a response to yesterday's message yet" reply "I haven't checked yesterday's messages yet" (It's lunchtime here in the midwest) When I told, again, that my chicks arrived frozen stiff w/o the requested and promised heat pak, (didn't bother iwth details) guess what the reply was I got? An apology??? Nope. Offered explanation? Nope. Only reply was and I quote, "poor things". I just replied back, "yep". Again, did I want a re-order or a refund. BUT if, I wanted to re-order I needed to be sure to meet the minimum number. Really???
They (this Laree) didn't even bother to pull up my original order? If their great customer service is only that caring BEFORE and "sucks to be you" after, I'm not going to risk putting myself or my birds thru a possibly worse experience and just stick with using/recommending Cackle from now on.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

After the third attempt I finally got a response from MPC.  (I know they are busy this time of year and was trying to give the benefit of the doubt but their policy clearly states you only have 24 to 48 hours after delivery to contact them if you want a correction) When checking for a response from yesterday's message left on the site, the live chat popped up.  "just checking if I have a response to yesterday's message yet" reply "I haven't checked yesterday's messages yet" (It's lunchtime here in the midwest)   When I told, again, that my chicks arrived frozen stiff w/o the requested and promised heat pak, (didn't bother iwth details)  guess what the reply was I got? An apology???  Nope. Offered explanation?  Nope.  Only reply was and  I quote, "poor things".  I just replied back, "yep". Again, did I want a re-order or a refund.  BUT if, I wanted to re-order I needed to be sure to meet the minimum number.  Really???  
They (this Laree) didn't even bother to pull up my original order?  If their great customer service is only that caring BEFORE and "sucks to be you" after, I'm not going to risk putting myself or my birds thru a possibly worse experience and just stick with using/recommending Cackle from now on.

Sorry you are having such a bad experience. Wisconsin weather is cantankerous and can turn quickly. I always wait until the end of May to July to order so they are traveling in warmer weather. I have had the heat packs added, after four days they are stone cold anyways. Not only do we have the weather to worry about, the PO is unreliable and erratic in their deliveries. Hopefully the remaining chick do okay. We shall see in two weeks how mine arrive.

 

[sasafras4u2]

@chickisoup Oh my that's terrible. She was so very nice to me. But then my order of eggs had shipped to California, inadvertently. They have been set in the bator but as of last night still look clear all 9 of them. But it is only day 4. I'm not moving them just checking them where they sit. The croads are too dark to see in so far. I'll try on day 7 see what I get.

 

[chickisoup]

Sorry you are having such a bad experience. Wisconsin weather is cantankerous and can turn quickly. I always wait until the end of May to July to order so they are traveling in warmer weather. I have had the heat packs added, after four days they are stone cold anyways. Not only do we have the weather to worry about, the PO is unreliable and erratic in their deliveries. Hopefully the remaining chick do okay. We shall see in two weeks how mine arrive.

I know. I am definitely not laying the whole blame on MPC by any stretch. The USPS definitely failed to meet their promised commitment. But honestly, isn't that what we all have come to expect from them? I guess it's just after the great support I got prior to my order I expected more of the same after, not a basically "sucks to be you", no apology and no explanation for the screw up with the heat paks and packaging. I also just received a clearly "form letter" email with quote, "condolences" for my loss and a "how-to" on taking care of weak chicks (which is in serious need of updating and correction btw). and acknowledged I reported the problem within the time frame so I will receive a refund for the lost chicks in a week or two. I really don't care about the money. It's a pittance to what I paid for shipping, for what I assumed would be the kind of care I have gotten from other companies. I have never before lost chicks to cold even tho I have placed orders weeks earlier (and had them shipped when it was colder) because those companies took the conditions into consideration, (as I had literally begged MPC to do because yes, WI weather is totally unpredictable) packing the chicks with heat paks, grow gel, starter and double boxing in containers that did NOT look like swiss cheese. I paid similar for shipping and handling to MPC as I did to Cackle (and others) so I did not think it unreasonable to expect the same from them. I have no problem paying for quality care, if quality care is what I receive. (Especially if that is what I am led to believe is what I will get).

 

[chickisoup]

@chickisoup Oh my that's terrible. She was so very nice to me. But then my order of eggs had shipped to California, inadvertently. They have been set in the bator but as of last night still look clear all 9 of them. But it is only day 4. I'm not moving them just checking them where they sit. The croads are too dark to see in so far. I'll try on day 7 see what I get.

Wow,

so hoping for your eggs,

but................. so sorry.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I know.  I am definitely not laying the whole blame on MPC by any stretch.  The USPS definitely failed to  meet their promised commitment.  But honestly, isn't that what we all have come to expect from them?  I guess it's just after the great support I got prior to my order I expected more of the same after, not a basically "sucks to  be you", no apology and no explanation for the screw up with the heat paks and packaging.  I also just received a clearly "form letter" email with quote, "condolences" for my loss and a "how-to" on taking care of weak chicks (which is in serious need of updating and correction btw).  and acknowledged I reported the problem within the time frame so I will receive a refund for the lost chicks in a week or two.  I really don't care about the money.  It's a pittance to what I paid for shipping, for what I assumed would be the kind of care I have gotten from other companies.  I have never before lost chicks to cold even tho I have placed orders weeks earlier (and had them shipped when it was colder) because those companies took the conditions into consideration, (as I had literally begged MPC to do because yes, WI weather is totally unpredictable) packing the chicks with heat paks, grow gel, starter and double boxing in containers that did NOT look like swiss cheese.  I paid similar for shipping and handling to MPC as I did to Cackle (and others) so I did not think it unreasonable to expect the same from them.  I have no problem paying for quality care, if quality care is what I receive.  (Especially if that is what I am led to believe is what I will get).

It is odd that they didn't take the care in packaging, and that there responses have been inadequate. I do believe the box label has the packers name on it, perhaps someone needs to be fired.

My last order with them was two years ago, so hoping it was a freak occurrence for you and not the new way. I have read many similar experiences from other hatcheries too about boxes of dead ones so it's hard to pick who is best to order from. I do feel really bad for you, no one wants to wait so long for chicks just to have the worst happen.

 

[bbhorsefly]

Got a text from my friend at 0900, which I didn't get until 10am being in a doctor's appointment, that they lost another golden laced wyandotte last night (too late to notify them within the 48hr window since I picked them up around 9;00am). Came in the house at 3:15 this afternoon and the Barred Rock was keeled over stone cold dead for no apparent reason! And it was my five year olds pet and she's devastated! I don't understand. They have all the food they can eat, fresh water with electrolytes and probiotics every couple hours whether they need it or not, warmth, shelter, they are in my kitchen for cripes sake and monitored by a thermometer! I've raised seven batches of chicks and everything is the same...Out of 10 I'm left with 6. And the remaining Speckled Sussex, being the smallest of the bunch and acting a bit puny has me worried.

 

[bbhorsefly]

After the third attempt I finally got a response from MPC. (I know they are busy this time of year and was trying to give the benefit of the doubt but their policy clearly states you only have 24 to 48 hours after delivery to contact them if you want a correction) When checking for a response from yesterday's message left on the site, the live chat popped up. "just checking if I have a response to yesterday's message yet" reply "I haven't checked yesterday's messages yet" (It's lunchtime here in the midwest) When I told, again, that my chicks arrived frozen stiff w/o the requested and promised heat pak, (didn't bother iwth details) guess what the reply was I got? An apology??? Nope. Offered explanation? Nope. Only reply was and I quote, "poor things". I just replied back, "yep". Again, did I want a re-order or a refund. BUT if, I wanted to re-order I needed to be sure to meet the minimum number. Really???
They (this Laree) didn't even bother to pull up my original order? If their great customer service is only that caring BEFORE and "sucks to be you" after, I'm not going to risk putting myself or my birds thru a possibly worse experience and just stick with using/recommending Cackle from now on.

You got offered a reorder? They just told me, "the credit card used will be refunded." I have never been able to get a response on the "live chat" feature. Do you have to pay shipping all over again? Maybe it's with the breeds? They couldn't deliver on a Chantecler ordered in January, so I guess I just assumed they don't have any available to fill orders that don't make it. You've got one shot at getting what you order and if it doesn't come up the way they sell it or they die on the way, "here's the cost of the chicks back."

 

[chickisoup]

You got offered a reorder? They just told me, "the credit card used will be refunded." I have never been able to get a response on the "live chat" feature. Do you have to pay shipping all over again? Maybe it's with the breeds? They couldn't deliver on a Chantecler ordered in January, so I guess I just assumed they don't have any available to fill orders that don't make it. You've got one shot at getting what you order and if it doesn't come up the way they sell it or they die on the way, "here's the cost of the chicks back."

Not sure on the shipping. She said that "I will mark you down for a refund with pro-rated shipping" whatever that means. Her exact reply to the other was "would you prefer a reshipment or a refund for the lost chicks? If you do a reshipment...." this was all on the live chat. I've never connected on that before either. I must have just caught her on line. I received the form email an hour or so after that.

 

[chickisoup]

Got a text from my friend at 0900, which I didn't get until 10am being in a doctor's appointment, that they lost another golden laced wyandotte last night (too late to notify them within the 48hr window since I picked them up around 9;00am). Came in the house at 3:15 this afternoon and the Barred Rock was keeled over stone cold dead for no apparent reason! And it was my five year olds pet and she's devastated! I don't understand. They have all the food they can eat, fresh water with electrolytes and probiotics every couple hours whether they need it or not, warmth, shelter, they are in my kitchen for cripes sake and monitored by a thermometer! I've raised seven batches of chicks and everything is the same...Out of 10 I'm left with 6. And the remaining Speckled Sussex, being the smallest of the bunch and acting a bit puny has me worried.

So sorry you keep losing yours

50% loss. Just wow. This is the first time I have lost any in shipping.
I'm beginning to wonder about the overall quality of the stock from their supplier, tho in my case, It's kind of a moot point when they froze to death.

I just checked on my little "survivors". The 2 remaining Wyandottes are starting to look good. The only remaining Partridge Rock I'm pretty sure is dying. I really thought she was going to make it. She looked good this morning but I was having trouble getting her to start eating. I was sure she was going to get the hang of it if I just kept hand feeding her but I guess she just didn't have enough reserves left after her fight to come back after 4 days of slowly freezing in that box.