Total disaster!!

[kyexotics]

I completely agree with you. I totally expected losses. There is just no way to ensure safe passage for chicks. But I expected more from their customer service dept. I sent them an email of my displeasure. We'll see if they respond.

Barb

You said: """over half of the chicks died before the 48 hrs was up so I called and they are sending replacements.""" what did they do wrong?

 

[bhaugh]

I wanted to update my post as I slammed Cackle for the call I made to them. I just received a call (on a Sat no less) today after I sent them an email advising them how unhappy I was and that refunds were not the norm. The rep advised me this is incorrect and that I would be receiving a refund for the 4 dead chicks. Cant ask for more than that.

Barb

 

[chickengeorgeto]

February is awful early to be shipping 40 odd baby chicks via a common carrier.

If the size of the biddies were a problem then no one could order, hatch, or raise quail, pheasant's, bantam chicks, etc.

Unless they have constant human supervision and a heat source 24-7, a 40 degree drop in temperature in only 12 hours while in transit will set most biddies so far back that they are unlikely to ever recover.

I know of one commercial hatchery near me (Ross Breeders) who I am told ships 250,000 or more day old chicks at a time for long distances, and at any time of the year to boot. They do this feat in
dedicated trucks that only costs $400,000 each. They, or I should say that their "baby chicks" suffer minimum mortality.

It is not my intent to ridicule USPS employees, but I do think that the latest increase in postage was used to pay for the cost of storing our mail until the USPS delivers it.

 

[kyexotics]

I wanted to update my post as I slammed Cackle for the call I made to them. I just received a call (on a Sat no less) today after I sent them an email advising them how unhappy I was and that refunds were not the norm. The rep advised me this is incorrect and that I would be receiving a refund for the 4 dead chicks. Cant ask for more than that.

Barb

So now no replacements?

I personally would have waited until they didn't satisfy me before I tore them a new one, but glad it's resolved to your satisfaction!

 

[bhaugh]

Kyexotics, Are you confusing me with someone else? I only ever said I had 4 chicks die out of 15. I went back and read my post to make sure I didnt submit a typo and it states 4. Where are you getting that I lost half of my order? I never requested replacements nor would I at this point.

Barb

 

[bhaugh]

Oh from the original poster. Quoting me I thought you were referring to me. My bad.

 

[kyexotics]

Oh from the original poster. Quoting me I thought you were referring to me. My bad.

I was confused, my bad! LOL

 

[batchhatchin]

I'm not displeased with their response to my issue just the fact that the mortality rate is this high I lost another 2 today. They are in ideal conditions now the only set back is they are weak from that trip. I'm very happy they send replacements. I just can't believe how small and frail the bird are. My day olds are twice as big as these chicks. I understand they set on certain dates and we order from those sets but it would
Make more sense to call and push orders back if the weather would prohibit long shipping times or more than two day trips. Guess that's not possible with them having to ship within 24 hrs. Just scratching my head and thinking out loud.

 

[Urban Flock]

I agree with Chickengeorgeto about the swing in the temp. A 40 degree drop is hard even on grown birds. This could have had something to do with the deaths. Have you talked to McMurray about why they are so small and also do they have any suggestions about why so many died. Sorry for your losses.

 

[kyexotics]

I'm not displeased with their response to my issue just the fact that the mortality rate is this high I lost another 2 today. They are in ideal conditions now the only set back is they are weak from that trip. I'm very happy they send replacements. I just can't believe how small and frail the bird are. My day olds are twice as big as these chicks. I understand they set on certain dates and we order from those sets but it would
Make more sense to call and push orders back if the weather would prohibit long shipping times or more than two day trips. Guess that's not possible with them having to ship within 24 hrs. Just scratching my head and thinking out loud.

I'd like to know more about the difference in size between "homegrown" and mass produced chicks...Is this a norm, or just more frequent or what?...And I realize 1/2 is an embellishment, but has there been any studies or measures of the differences(i.e. 10%, 20%, etc.)?...Just curious...

And does a company stay in business 90+yrs producing weak and lame stock?...I don't think so, I think there will always be cycles of bad batches, it's the nature of nature and even more so on a mass scale...This is JMHO, yours may vary from having actual knowledge!