Straight Comb Dominques from Meyer Hatchery...?

[lolita117]

So I'm still new to the chicken world, having only had chickens for a little over a year. But with most things that interest me, its more of an obsession instead of an interest and I've learned alot in my first year including different breeds.

Last year, I order the brown egg layers special from McMurray and since I didn't pick specific breeds I didn't know what to expect but I was so happy when 5 chicks turned out to be barred rocks. I just love them, so beautiful. Everybody that saw my barreds always asked me if they were "dominiquers." I was always happy to explain the breed difference down to the comb. Around the 20th of this past March I received my order from Meyer Hatchery (I was so excited) but after losing 1/2 my order I was greatly discouraged.

Anyways, I ordered 3 dominiques and they did survive. With in the order the 3 dominiques were the only barred breed of chicks/chickens I ordered and now it seems that I didn't get 3. They are 5 1/2 weeks old now, and comb development is showing that I only got 1 with a rose comb and 2 with a straight comb. From what I know dominiques don't have straight combs right? And to beat it all, my only barred chicky with a rose comb had to be put down because of something (not really sure what it was). So now I'm left with 2 straight comb dominiques? I think Meyer screwed me. I order all sexed females and the price difference is $2.70 for dominiques and $2.53 for the barred rocks. I know its now much, but I paid for the more expensive one and got a cheaper one, that's a little screwy to me.

But beyond that I wanted the dominiques so bad. I was just wondering if anybody has had an experience like this before? I just wonder if they thought I was dumb or something and wouldn't know the difference. Needless to say, next time I order chicks from a hatchery, though it will be a long time coming, I don't think I will order from them again.

 

[jeepguy982001]

I got my dominiques from meyers i ordered 4 1 died after a few days it was a runt. 1 died at about 6 wks i don't know why. But the two i have are wonderful just started laying recently "I got them in november" and they both have rose combs. Sorry about your bad luck.

 

[Meyer Hatchery]

So I'm still new to the chicken world, having only had chickens for a little over a year. But with most things that interest me, its more of an obsession instead of an interest and I've learned alot in my first year including different breeds.

Last year, I order the brown egg layers special from McMurray and since I didn't pick specific breeds I didn't know what to expect but I was so happy when 5 chicks turned out to be barred rocks. I just love them, so beautiful. Everybody that saw my barreds always asked me if they were "dominiquers." I was always happy to explain the breed difference down to the comb. Around the 20th of this past March I received my order from Meyer Hatchery (I was so excited) but after losing 1/2 my order I was greatly discouraged.

Anyways, I ordered 3 dominiques and they did survive. With in the order the 3 dominiques were the only barred breed of chicks/chickens I ordered and now it seems that I didn't get 3. They are 5 1/2 weeks old now, and comb development is showing that I only got 1 with a rose comb and 2 with a straight comb. From what I know dominiques don't have straight combs right? And to beat it all, my only barred chicky with a rose comb had to be put down because of something (not really sure what it was). So now I'm left with 2 straight comb dominiques? I think Meyer screwed me. I order all sexed females and the price difference is $2.70 for dominiques and $2.53 for the barred rocks. I know its now much, but I paid for the more expensive one and got a cheaper one, that's a little screwy to me.

But beyond that I wanted the dominiques so bad. I was just wondering if anybody has had an experience like this before? I just wonder if they thought I was dumb or something and wouldn't know the difference. Needless to say, next time I order chicks from a hatchery, though it will be a long time coming, I don't think I will order from them again.

Could you please contact our customer service department at 1-888-568-9755 so we can look into your order. It's better to let us know there is a problem so we can make a change. Sometimes we don't know there is an issue until a customer informs us and we can't get any better without your feedback. It could be a problem with the breeding stock or perhaps an under-trained order packer; We simply won't know unless we look a little further. We would certainly appreciate the opportunity to correct the error, wherever it may be, with your help.

 

[lolita117]

I just want to say that I truly appreciate you replying to my thread with actual concern. This honestly means a lot to me. I will contact the hatchery tomorrow. Though I never thought it was the company intentionally screwing me, my first thought was a order packer, because they are the ones getting the chicks out of the bins and putting them in the boxes. I had a lot of issues with my order (and it was my first order from Meyer and my first order picking out specific breeds and specific numbers of each breed) but there was one lady in particular who was wonderful with me, whenever I called the numerous times with changing my order, dealing with setting up a date for chicks that couldn't ship with my March ship-date, and dealing with my numerous losses. I'm not sure what her name was, but she is exceptional. (There was a younger woman that I talked to only once that was kinda short with me). Thanks again for replying, I would have never considered calling the company about this particular issue weeks after I actually got my chicks.

Could you please contact our customer service department at 1-888-568-9755 so we can look into your order. It's better to let us know there is a problem so we can make a change. Sometimes we don't know there is an issue until a customer informs us and we can't get any better without your feedback. It could be a problem with the breeding stock or perhaps an under-trained order packer; We simply won't know unless we look a little further. We would certainly appreciate the opportunity to correct the error, wherever it may be, with your help.

 

[GrandmaChickie]

Just wanted to let you know that I ordered 5 Dominique pullets and a rooster from Cackle Hatchery, and one of my hens ended up with a straight comb. I look at her pattern, and it's Dominque, and her build isn't as stocky as Barred Rocks (though all mine are FAT! LOL!), so maybe a genetic throwback...? BTW, I absolutely love my Doms! They are so intelligent and calm, but not so placid that they are easy prey. So far they have escaped 2 dog attacks (I was home both times, but they managed to get away and hide long enough for me to get outside!) My favorite is Tink, and she will frequently jump on the arm of my lawn-chair and "converse" with me. I tell her how beautiful she is, and I pretend she's telling me the same!

 

[GrandmaChickie]

@ Lolita117 - One of my Dom hens has a straight comb, too--maybe a genetic throwback to their roots...? But she isn't as stocky as a Barred Rock. I love, love, LOVE my Doms! I have yet to find a chicken breed I like better!

 

[Cindy in PA]

I would imagine Dominques are like many other rose combed breeds, the breeding of the past sometimes throws single combed birds. Wyandottes have it happen. Just guessing, it doesn't mean they are not Dominques. JMHO

 

[vnsseed]

I would imagine Dominques are like many other rose combed breeds, the breeding of the past sometimes throws single combed birds. Wyandottes have it happen. Just guessing, it doesn't mean they are not Dominques. JMHO

We have seen it happen... sometimes it has to do with breeders crossing barred rocks into their stock years ago, for genetic diversity, and now, generations later, you get an occasional single comb. Most breeders cull them, but I imagine it would be a bit more difficult for a hatchery... the order picker probably doesn't know what they are looking at, or has time...they just pull from the "Dominique bin".