Quality of birds from Sand Hill Perseveration?

[ColtHandorf]

Add in the constant loss of birds due to predators, and it doesn't sound like they have a great set up.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Just for curiosity I decided to do some satellite snooping on Google Maps...

So here's a really zoomed out image of the property and surrounding area...it looks very agricultural. I find it very strange that so many predators would find such an area inviting due to the lack of cover, natural features, and prey items to eat.

Here is a decently close shot that just shows Sand Hill Preservation's property and their "breeding pens".

And finally a very zoomed in look at the farm without losing a lot of details. Honestly, it looks like a hot mess. You can clearly see birds in the photo and I don't see enough birds to make filling orders very easy unless there are a lot of birds cooped or caged in the buildings. Even if they only have a dozen of each breed, no wonder they have such a hard time filling orders. And judging from the look of the buildings and the pens, it's no wonder that predators are able to literally wipe out whole flocks. In the thread I linked above coyotes and minks were often mentioned as issues killing breeders. Currently none of their bantams are available for order on the website due to an issue with mink.

I also find it very strange that the home address is where they want the order forms shipped to. I'd assume they'd use a PO Box to keep people from snooping. But what do I know...

When I was much younger I wanted to order from them as they had some bantams I was interested in, but I don't think I'd even waste the time, energy, or money ordering from them. And while they seem to be sugar and spice when you first place your order they rapidly lose their professionalism and customer service when you lose your patience after having shipping dates missed. I believe one person actually posted a message in the linked thread where the owner straight up said, "I assume you're joking", when the customer wanted to cancel an order after five shipping dates were missed and then went on to make it sound like they'd gone above and beyond to handle the person's substitutions and requests they put in to make shipping the chicks easier.

@The Moonshiner - Did you ever receive your refund after two years?

 

[The Moonshiner]

@The Moonshiner - Did you ever receive your refund after two years?

I don't remember how long I jacked with them. I did recieve a refund check once. It bounced.
Believe I fought with them a year over that and then suddenly they wanted to fill my order. I took the offer just to get something from them and end the whole ordeal.
They couldn't fill the order and sent substitutes.
I was supposed to get exchequer leghorns. They substituted half for black leghorns.
The blacks all ended up being barred somethings. The exchequers ended up being white leghorns and an austra white looking birds.
Everything else was substituded to their picks. I sold everything.
So ya my last order took 3 years to get nothing I wanted.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Here's a new thread with a Sandhill black Ameraucana.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/10-week-old-cockerels.1434264/post-23693808

 

[PioneerChicks]

You can search "Sandhill" posted by me and find several posts.
Every bird ive gotten from them were a bad representation of the breed. One variety wasn't even the right breed.
Their service and customer service is just as bad more often then not.

I don't remember how long I jacked with them. I did recieve a refund check once. It bounced.
Believe I fought with them a year over that and then suddenly they wanted to fill my order. I took the offer just to get something from them and end the whole ordeal.
They couldn't fill the order and sent substitutes.
I was supposed to get exchequer leghorns. They substituted half for black leghorns.
The blacks all ended up being barred somethings. The exchequers ended up being white leghorns and an austra white looking birds.
Everything else was substituded to their picks. I sold everything.
So ya my last order took 3 years to get nothing I wanted.

Sad to hear all this, maybe I'll have to find a different breeder to buy from. Thanks for informing me!

 

[breegull]

Wowwww, I'm so thankful for this thread and the linked ones! I've been eyeing Sandhill for a couple years now, planning to order from them eventually. But it looks like I'd been overlooking some pretty significant red flags.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I really want to order, but between not knowing when in advance to take off classes and work/most of their selection not being up for 2021/most of what i really like either no longer existing on their farm or being only avaliable as a chance in the assortments, I just can't bring myself to risk it

 

[ColtHandorf]

I did recieve a refund check once. It bounced.

That is extremely unprofessional. I think I'd have just screamed into the abyss.

So ya my last order took 3 years to get nothing I wanted.

And that is absurd. As a small time breeder, if I couldn't fill an order within a few months, I'd just refund the money. I've got someone waiting on a Silver-laced Orpington cockerel from me and wouldn't you know for the last three months all I've managed to hatch are pullets? I've already told her she's getting two pullets with him just for being patient while I try to hatch one out.

 

[The Moonshiner]

That is extremely unprofessional. I think I'd have just screamed into the abyss.



And that is absurd. As a small time breeder, if I couldn't fill an order within a few months, I'd just refund the money. I've got someone waiting on a Silver-laced Orpington cockerel from me and wouldn't you know for the last three months all I've managed to hatch are pullets? I've already told her she's getting two pullets with him just for being patient while I try to hatch one out.

It's just they make you jump through hoops and do everything old fashion. They want you to be flexible but then they make it a pain from your side.
They're do too much by mail and hardly ever answer their phones.
The one shipment I got they had my phone number wrong so I never got notified they even shipped. The post office had the wrong number so they couldn't contact me when they came in.
I'm from outside a small town so luckily the post master recognised my name and had a mailman swing by my house and inform me.

 

[ColtHandorf]

It's just they make you jump through hoops and do everything old fashion. They want you to be flexible but then they make it a pain from your side.
They're do too much by mail and hardly ever answer their phones.

Yes, that seems to be the consensus from most everyone.

The one shipment I got they had my phone number wrong so I never got notified they even shipped. The post office had the wrong number so they couldn't contact me when they came in.
I'm from outside a small town so luckily the post master recognized my name and had a mailman swing by my house and inform me.

That was super lucky. I can only imagine the mess and drama if the chicks had been stuck there because the phone number was wrong.