Just wondering if this is typical of hatchery's nowadays?
I didn't order from Privett hatchery directly - I ordered from Stromberg's. It was actually cheaper to go thru Stromberg's as opposed to ordering directly from Privett Hatchery. (Stromberg's is NOT a hatchery - just a broker for birds. They forward your order to the nearest hatchery for order filling/shipping......hence Privett Hatchery for me). I received 24 very healthy and vibrant chicks sans one (R.I.P.). I was ok with losing a single....then I began to closely inspect my order. This is what I ultimately discovered:
My order was for the following Bantam varieties: What I actually received:
Assorted Silkies - 7 Silkie - 1 (Partridge)
Assorted Brahmas - 6 Brahmas - 6 (3 light, 2 dark, 1 buff)
Assorted D'Uccles - 6 D'Uccles - 6 (4 white, 1 blue, 1 buff)
Assorted CLEAN LEG - 6 Clean Legged - 9 (2 Sebright, 3 OEG,
1 EE, 3 Crested Polish)
Mottled Cochin - 1
Barred Cochin - 1
So they got close I guess - the Brahmas and D'Uccles were spot on. When I contacted Stromberg's they initially tried to tell me I had not identified the chicks properly ( I admitted to him it is hard to tell on some breeds/chicks). However - Silkies are easily identifiable via black skin and extra toe. I knew I only had one in the bunch! Also, Silkies, Brahmas and D'Uccles are are feather legged variety - so there should be NO MORE THAN 6 Clean Legged Variety! So finally the guy at Stromberg's agreed to reimburse me for the 6 Silkies I did not receive. The rest....well he said, "you know, these things happen. People make mistakes." All in all with the refund I got back for the Silkies I ended paying the same price as if I had ordered a "Hatchery Choice Straight Run" of 25 Bantam chicks. So really I got what I paid for - but my wife was sooooo disappointed that she didn't get her Silkies! I tried asking him about Privett - if they were out of Silkies or what happened there, but they wouldn't comment on Privett at all. I am tempted to call Privett and ask them what gives with the Silkies, but I am sure they would be less than helpful seeing as I went through Stromberg's when ordering.
Is it pretty standard for them to substitute at their own discretion? In years past when my parents would order, the hatchery would call them if they couldn't fill the order and offer alternatives (or at least let them know when they could expect the next hatching of what they did order)......?
I didn't order from Privett hatchery directly - I ordered from Stromberg's. It was actually cheaper to go thru Stromberg's as opposed to ordering directly from Privett Hatchery. (Stromberg's is NOT a hatchery - just a broker for birds. They forward your order to the nearest hatchery for order filling/shipping......hence Privett Hatchery for me). I received 24 very healthy and vibrant chicks sans one (R.I.P.). I was ok with losing a single....then I began to closely inspect my order. This is what I ultimately discovered:
My order was for the following Bantam varieties: What I actually received:
Assorted Silkies - 7 Silkie - 1 (Partridge)
Assorted Brahmas - 6 Brahmas - 6 (3 light, 2 dark, 1 buff)
Assorted D'Uccles - 6 D'Uccles - 6 (4 white, 1 blue, 1 buff)
Assorted CLEAN LEG - 6 Clean Legged - 9 (2 Sebright, 3 OEG,
1 EE, 3 Crested Polish)
Mottled Cochin - 1
Barred Cochin - 1
So they got close I guess - the Brahmas and D'Uccles were spot on. When I contacted Stromberg's they initially tried to tell me I had not identified the chicks properly ( I admitted to him it is hard to tell on some breeds/chicks). However - Silkies are easily identifiable via black skin and extra toe. I knew I only had one in the bunch! Also, Silkies, Brahmas and D'Uccles are are feather legged variety - so there should be NO MORE THAN 6 Clean Legged Variety! So finally the guy at Stromberg's agreed to reimburse me for the 6 Silkies I did not receive. The rest....well he said, "you know, these things happen. People make mistakes." All in all with the refund I got back for the Silkies I ended paying the same price as if I had ordered a "Hatchery Choice Straight Run" of 25 Bantam chicks. So really I got what I paid for - but my wife was sooooo disappointed that she didn't get her Silkies! I tried asking him about Privett - if they were out of Silkies or what happened there, but they wouldn't comment on Privett at all. I am tempted to call Privett and ask them what gives with the Silkies, but I am sure they would be less than helpful seeing as I went through Stromberg's when ordering.
Is it pretty standard for them to substitute at their own discretion? In years past when my parents would order, the hatchery would call them if they couldn't fill the order and offer alternatives (or at least let them know when they could expect the next hatching of what they did order)......?
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