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On Aug 30, 2009, CarrieAnn123 East Northport, NY wrote:
First time chick purchaser here and I only have great things to say about Cackle. We ordered 15 pullets and they shipped 16pullets, all healthy and thriving 3 months later.
On Jul 18, 2009, tamandjam Mckinleyville, CA wrote:
I have never ben more happy with any other hatchery. After 22 years of raising poultry and dealing with dead shipments or over inflated costs, Cackle is by far the best hatchery to order from.
I not only receive the best in quality but at prices that I can handle. I have seen a few comments about their phone system, but honestly WHO CARES! At least you get a real live person who is willing to help you and not some automated junk that never gets you to the right source.
I have received some beautifull babies from cackle and I have shifted ALL my buisness to them. Too bad for the other guys because it is a LOT of buisness. Prices are more than fair and I always get extra birds.
Recently I ordered 50 Cochin bantams, got 63 and 62 are now a month old. Cackle does price comparing and looks to see what is out there and how much the other guy charges, and then keeps their price below the competition. What more could we ask for?
As for the usual problems with hatcherys and supply on demand, some people should really try hatching their own eggs for a while, maybe then they would understand why they have to wait for what they want.
When you hatch, you wait and take the good with the bad. You cant control the universe, why would you think you could control a chicken, or the problems that come with hatching. Cackle hatchery has my buisness and no other.
Thank you Cackle and keep up the good work.
One week after I placed my order I received an e-mail confirmation. They shipped on a Monday, arrived on a Wednesday, and all are beautiful. I ordered 18 chickens, received 19 (the extra packing peanut was of one of the breeds I ordered). All arrived healthy and happy and are still thriving at a month old. They are also feathering out true to breed. I couldn't be happier with Cackle!
I just received my first order from Cackle Hatchery. This was a special order of chicks for my 8 year old son who has 3 black copper marans, a duckling, and two bunnies. Hes been begging me for silkies and I finally broke down LOL Im gonna have my own Ark soon!
I ordered the Feather Footed Bantam special of 15 assorted chicks and 5 blue silkies. My order arrived exactly as they instructed, right on time! The chicks were packaged beautifully, chirping happily and full of vigor! I received one extra chick. No deformities or sickly chicks!
I have ordered from several other hatcheries in the past and have only seen this degree of healthy looking chicks from Welps Hatchery. I elected not to order from them because they did not have the breeds I wanted at this time. I was holding my breath because I have had orders ship from other hatcheries before containing almost all dead smashed chicks. Not a problem this time!
Ordering online was a breeze, with a minimum of 15 chicks for this time of year. The packing slip was perfect and clearly listed both my home and cell phone numbers at the top in bold print with a message for the postal service to call me immediately upon the chicks arrival!
I will certainly use this hatchery for my poultry needs again! 5 stars!!
Great experience with Cackle Hatchery. Initially ordered 10 ducks, not realizing that the min. order of 15 applies to waterfowl as well. They called and I asked to just add 5 ducks to my order. They did this and proceeded with my order. I sent them a check for the difference. They called with my ship date. On the ship date, they called again, to tell me that their local post office had a postal meter failure and some shipments for the day were being rescheduled. They called again on the morning of the new ship date to alert me of shipping. The representatives I spoke with on the phone were polite, helpful and cheerful on every occasion.
My ducklings arrived on time, with one extra duckling in the box. Perhaps this is standard, perhaps a counting error, I don't know, but the ducklings were in excellent shape and they have absolutely thrived since their arrival. At each step of the way, even with little glitches at my end and theirs, they communicated with me and seemed genuinely interested in my satisfaction. I would recommend Cackle Hatchery and I plan to order from them again.
We have placed three orders with Cackle this year along with other well known hatcheries.I have nothing but great things to say about Cackle.The Quality of the chicks are amazing,we have the best looking cochins we have ever got.The last order was received July 1, and I have to admit we were a little worried since we live here in south Alabama and it has been extremely hot.The lady at the post office called his morning saying our chicks had arrived,and of course right on time.The order was for 20 Turkens and the hatchey suprise.When we arrived home and opened the box we were amazed that they had arrived perfectly healthy and none were dead.The hatchery suprise even had two black spanish turkeys and two ducks who also are doing well.I will without a doubt order from Cackle in the future!!
I ordered 15 pheasant from Cackle on June 18th 2009 and recieved my invoice the 20th that told me they would be shipping out on June 29th and they hadnt arrived the 30th and from some of these comments i was a little scared so i called cackle and they informed me that it would be a two day shipment since i live in the foothills of south carolina and to look for them this morning which is July 1st 2009 and sure enough i went to the post office and the post woman handed me a shipping box with 16 wonderful little chirping pheasants in it i was so excited will definently keep ordering from cackle and will suggest it to other people
I ordered from Cackle for the first time: 15 pullets (5 RIR, 10 Barred rock) on April 25th, 2009. I recieved email soon after to acknowledge my order and ship date of 6/8/09. Everything went as planned! 16, not 15, pullets arrived here today (6/10/09) and are doing well, eating, drinking and sleeping in their brooder. I did not attempt any phone calls to Cackle because of the trouble I've heard about...BUT, I did not need to call because EVERYTHING was great!!!! Thank you Cackle, I will use you again in the future!
On Jun 9, 2009, davemhughes Junction City, KS wrote:
5 calls to get through to order. No big deal its just the way it is......Ordered Saturday 6/6/09. Hatch date 6/8/09. I ordered 50 Barr Rock, 50 Black Australorp, 15 Mallard ducks, and 15 Guinnies. Arrived 6/9/09 with one dead chick. The Guinnies are to be shipped the 15th. All were very active and are now in their brooding pens eating and drinking with no problems so far. As I bought a Little Giant Incubator w/turner (to hatch out quail and pheasants) I doubt I will be ordering again from them but I would have no issue doing so again. Came out to about $1.18 a chick shipped, much cheaper than Orschlens. Very happy...............
Hi
I have ordered from the hatchery twice this year(will probably order more) I absolutely enjoy them! the representatives are so informal and honest i can tell they just want me to have a good experience with the chickens I ordered. I do have a really hard time speaking to them on the phone but i kept trying. The second time I tried and tried but had things to do so I faxed them and they called me back within that day. The very nice lady told me that they had 9 PHONE LINES and that they are always busy!! I couldn't believe until i listened in and heard all the phones going off then being answered and going off again( i heard this while she had me on the line processing my order) It could not handle their job!!! Props to them!
I orded 8 ducklings from cackle hatchery but then they told me that you need to order 15 or more to ship them else they will die.So we got 15 ducks they shipped them in two days a day old.We were suprised when we found an extra duck.They are now 4 weeks and doing great my kids love them.We take them outside on hot days and they all follow me.They love there kiddie pool we got them and they swim under water.Great gift for Easter and teaches my kids responsibility.They do grow up fast though.
This was my first order with this particular hatchery. I order several weeks in advanced. Told them when I wanted to receive my chicks and I received them on that very day. It was in the afternoon, not morning like I am used to, but I received them. All alive and doing well - all 85 of them. I did get one free male chick. We are very happy with Cackle Hatchery and I plan on ordered my guinea hens from them this year. Wonderful experience. I even had them sent a post officer closer to me than my mailing address. Every thing went according to my request.
Miana Ruiz-Ryan
Sheltie Meadow Farm
Hudson, NY 12534
ALWAYS POSITIVE EXPERIENCES WITH CACKLE, I have been getting chicks from them for 10 years now, and every time it has been a great experience. If I might take a guess as to the problems they have faced: They are overwhelmed with business due to the fact that their internet site is doing its job--I can say that because the same thing happened with my own nursery, to the point where I wasn't ready to handle all the business and shut my site down!! They do not have that option, however, so it is a matter of playing catch up just like on the computer commercials on TV where the business is growing at a rate that makes it hard to handle (and of course you need to buy their software and computers then! LOL).
So, what I would say to all those having a problem is to be patient, the folks at Cackle are some of the nicest people around, but this is a crazy time of year for all of us in the nursery/hatchery biz and all it takes is one crank call to get you in a hurt mode and mood, and the people who work at these places are human beings, too. I don't think there are many computer programs that can pick out chicks and put them in boxes by the hundreds, it takes people, and more people to answer phones, take orders, etc. Count on them to make it right, they will.
By the way, I do NOT work for Cackle if that is what someone is thinking! I just think they are the BEST!
I received chicks from Cackle on March 18, 2009(they were shipped on March 16,2009) I ordered 50 RIR chicks and the Cackle Hatchery Surprise Choice 1. I received 51 RIR chicks! In the surprise I received, 2 ducks, 2 turkeys, and 39 assorted chicks. I am very happy with the quality of the chicks. There was no DOA chicks. None have died since either. Everyone is growing big and strong. I am very pleased with Cackle Hatchery and will order from them again.
On Mar 24, 2009, SerenaBeth Valles Mines, MO wrote:
Near the beginning of March I began looking for good stock to add to our beautiful turkeys and chickens. Unable to find any acceptable turkeys in our area I began to expand my options. I searched for Missouri Hatcheries and found Cackle listed as number 1. Before even checking the map to determine their location I called to see if they had any turkeys available. The woman I spoke to was very nice and told me I could have all I wanted of the seven whites she had. Originally wanting about 15 of them I was pleased to get any at this point.
My girls and I enjoyed a nice long three hour drive down to Lebanon where we were surprised by how very small the showroom was. There was a stackable chick holder filled with adorable chicks and ducklings. The wonderful blonde woman took a duckling out to let my daughters feel how soft it was.
The prices for supplies were so affordable that I walked out with much more than I went for. The same feeders and waterers are priced at $3 more in my home town. I also was very pleased to leave with 15 white turkeys. They were able, in the 3 hours I took to get there, to pull some from the incubators. The birds were very healthy and suffered the 3 hour trip home being handled by three very excited girls.
What strikes me as different then all the other places I have done business with is the disposition of the birds. They all act as though they are "hand-fed" babies. We have had them now for a few weeks and I am still amazed. They respond to our voices as though they are talking are talking back, the few dominant ones will hop out of the brooder they are in and follow us around watching as we do the rest of the chores, and when its time to get back in the tub we simply lay our hands down and they walk right over. They are not in anyway fearful, flightly, or aggressive!
My husband has even found joy in surprising our visitors by walking around with a white turkey on either shoulder.
After ordering our chicks this year from Meyer Hatchery and having such a bad experience I will be ordering all the replacements (since I wanted to achieve certain breeds this year) from Cackle Hatchery. I may just let them ship them to me this time though :)
I am very pleased with the turkeys I purchased! Since I drove down the same day I called I did not experience the ordering process. I plan on ordering my pullets this coming Monday and having them shipped to me. However after reading the helpful reviews on this site I may still make the drive when it comes time to purchase the peacocks I have been waiting for. I can only hope they all have the same gentle personalities that our turkeys have!
Thank you very much Cackle Hatchery for such a wonderful addition to our little family farm!
I have been ordering chicks from the Cackle Hatchery since 2007. I have ordered Guinea's, Chickens, Pheasants, Quail, Chukar and Peacocks - the Peacocks where not a very good experience, which after researching, I found out was my fault. If ever ordering them, make sure you also order the care book. Cackle Hatchery has always sent extra chicks and I have never had 1 die in transit, all arrived healthy and active. I will continue to order from Cackle Hatchery and just hope they start getting a few new breeds in that I have been looking for, like the Black Copper Marans and the Java chickens, etc.
Cackle Hatchery has my vote for chickens. Keep up the good work.
I love the small-order policy. I bought the Cochin hatchery choice, and it was more than I expected. For an order of 10, they put in 12, and it looks like 2 of each color they offer. I also ordered 5 barred rocks. Those poor birds went from Kansas City to Milwaukee to Dallas on a plane, then by truck to East Texas. Although a little tired from the ride, they were in perfect condition. They're 4 months old, and all are doing well. I can't wait to order more birds from Cackle.
On Aug 23, 2008, AspenwoodFarm North Pole, AK wrote:
I recently ordered 5 Black Austrolorp, 5 Rhode Island Red, and 5 Ameracuna pullet chicks from Cackle Hatchery. We were sent 16 chicks; 1 died during shipment, and 1 died the day the chicks arrived. The remaining 14 chicks are beautiful, growning quickly, and appear to be thriving. We are looking very forward to farm-fresh eggs in a few months.
This was a great experience for me. I ordered 50 chicks 25 white sultans and 25 german spitzhaubans. I was so happy with them. When I called to make sure they got my order they was really nice, I could not have got a nicer person on the phone. I can't wait until next year when I order some d'uccle and buttercups from them. I highly recomend them. They are a 5 star company. All the babies are doing well. I got them a week ago today, and they are already getting feathers ! Great Job Cackle I will see you again next year.
I ordered15 pullets from Cackle Hatchery on July 17th, I recieved the little package yesterday, July 30th, on time exactly on the day they said it would be here. The little chicks were active ,hungry, and thirsty. We didn't need to show them how to eat, they were ready. Everything went smooth and I will order from them in the future. Thanks Cackle for the16 little beauties.
Ordered 20 Welsumer and Speckled Sussex chicks. Got the confirmation letter 3 or 4 days before they were due to arrive with helpful preparation info. They arrived on the date described and were all healthy, and lively. They included one extra chick ( just in case of a misfortune i think) and clearly marked the sussex so i could tell them apart. Overall a good experience, and the chicks were MUCH healthier than the last batch i got from the feed store.
Our chicks arrived in Oregon right on time - they are just fine and all are doing great!
Everything with our order went exactly as described on the website. Although I could not get through on the phone to check on the order, I got a phone call from Cackle on approximately day 10 with order delivery info. They let us know that the chicks were being shipped and to expect a phone call from the Sisters Post Office Friday morning. Sure enough, we got a call at 7:00 am (long before the post office opens) letting us know the chicks were there waiting for us. We had a very small order too, just 15 chicks. We wound up getting 16 in the box. All survived and seem to be very healthy and unbothered by their long journey. They ate and drank right away with no problems. I would happily order from them again.
I ordered 25 baby pullets, assorted kinds, from Cackle Hatchery. I had to wait a little while longer than I anticipated for the chicks to come. I had to try lots of times before I got through on the phone, and they apologized for the inconvienience and explained that they were incredibley busy this year. They said they could hardly keep up and the phone just rang off the wall
A little while later, I recieved a letter in the mail telling me of the shipping date and the day they would arrive at the Post Office. It all went real smooth and the chicks were incredibley healthy and went to eating and drinking right away. They run and jump and try to fly over each other and are eating me out of house and home. I am happy with my little hens. Thank you Cackle Hatchery and I will order from you again!
I just received 60 chicks from Cackle and they were all healthy as can be. I sent in my order by snail mail along with some pretty detailed sorting requests and they were more than happy to accomodate. They called us to let us know the date they would be shipped, and when to expect them and the chicks all arrived exactly on time. I usually order from MurrayMcMurray, but their prices are getting ridiculous. Cackle Hatchery gave us outstanding service and value and I would DEFINITELY order from them again.
I make an order like 2 years ago and everything was great they send the letter telling me when the chicks will ship and I was very exited!!! Only that 6 chicks died on the way to Puerto Rico. This time I place an order but didn't recived any letter or e-mail and 3 weeks later I send an e-mail and they responed very quickly.I send the e-mail on wensday they send the letter on Thrusday I recived the letter on monday and the chicks shipped on wensday and they arrived on friday. It only took one week to recived my 16 chicks after the e-mail I send! All of them ALIVE!!!! I only gave them water with a little of sugar and they drank the water like crazy and start to run all over on the brooder I place them! I was so relief and happy to see them running very happy! A few hours later I gave them some chick starter and they began to eat immediately. They are very happy and healthy right now. I recommend them.
I ordered 15 Ameraucana pullets from Cackle Hatchery via the internet. I called the next day to ask if they would add 2 cockerels to my order, which they did. They also gave me a shipping and receiving date while I was on the phone. I received a letter in the mail with the same information, as well.
The chicks arrived on the proper date, all healthy, drinking and eating in no time. Only 1 had a slight amount of pasting. They included 1 extra chick, for a total of 18. They are now 6 weeks old and doing very well.
The only problem I had was trying to reach them by phone. It took a couple hours of trying, before I got past a busy signal. Other than that, everything was perfect. I would definitely order from them again.
I got my chicks yesterday and I am very very satisfied with them. This is my first time ordering chicks through the internet and It's been a great experience! I got the chicks right on the day they said I would get them. The packaging was great! The chicks are really beautiful and are full of little chirps! I called with questions and the people at cackle hatchery were very nice and helpful. I asked them to mark the birds so I would know which was which (since I got three different breeds of chicks)and they were marked very well! I was going to order from McMurry but their limit was 25 chicks and I didn't need that many so I was very pleased with 15! Thanks Cackle Hatchery for the great experience and will give you my buisness in the future.
I just received my first order of chicks this morning from Cackle Hatchery. Can I say how pleased I am? The chicks were very lively and were peeping like crazy. They all seem extremely healthy. Every one in the bunch survived the 2 day trip without problem. They are all eating and drinking and venting properly. I have not seen any problems with pasting up.
I ordered 5 Buff Orpington, 5 Cinnamon Queen, 10 Rhode Island Red, 5 Black Australorp and 5 Barred Rock (they sent 6 of these)--all pullets for eggs. There were also 15 Cornish Rock (they sent 16 of those). I was sent a reciept via mail with the shipping date, April 2nd. I actually thought this would be the delivery date, but it was the actual shipping date. I had to call about it since I was a first timer and didn't quite understand, but they were very gracious and patient.
I do wish they would have sent me a catalog! And I will definitely be ordering from this next year if my experience continues in this manner. I will try to update in the next couple months when the Cornish Rocks are invited to dinner and later, when the egg layers treat us to breakfast. :)
I ordered 25 Speckled Sussex straight run. Today I (4/4/08) I receieved 26 straight run chicks Speckled Sussex.. All healthy and no problems in shipping here to Michigan. Overall I am generally pleased with this order. I will be ordering from them again.
I have ordered a couple hundred chicks from cackle every other year and have always got great service. they always send a receipt with ship date for chicks and if there was a problem I get a phone call from cackel. I never recieve any emails period. I mark ship date on my calender and sure enough 2 days later post office calls about 7 am come get your chics. I usally only lose 2 or three chicks from shiping stress and never more than 6 out of a hundred or so. the cackle surprise is a great bargin. I have got ducks, poults and geese from time to time. also the happy cackle is a good deal if you just like something different . waiting on about 3 or 400 now, heavy pullets, OE games, batams and 2 suprises. I will order more before the spring its just a great hobby and one can make a dollar or two just for fun. I will always keep the cackle site on my computer becauses there are a lot of breeds to check out.
Have a great day, don't you wish everyone could be born a Southerner. SC Rebel
On March 5th, 2008, screbel added the following:
Just got my first round of Batam assort and cackle surprise. about 100 chicks arrived alert and chirping. Looks like I got at least 10 different breeds in both assortments that I know right off and 2 ducks to boot. I know there are a couple of polish, sultans and cochins in the batams and surprise. I have 3 more batches coming Fri. All I can say is I ordered heavy pullet assortment year before last and I got 98% pullets and have always got a very good slection on all my assortments.
Oh I wish you were in the Land of Cotton!!On March 13th, 2008, screbel added the following:
Where old times ain't soon forgotten!!
Got my other 3 batches in last fri all looking good look like a very good variety of chics in the surprise and 2 more ducks. temps droped to 20% 2 nights lost a few batams, oh well thats farming. the rest are doing well and eating like little piglets. I have no complanints with other hatcheries. I have ordered from McMurry, Martinins/crowe poultry with great sucess. But Cackle has the best slection and price on assortments. Have a great day I know I will its going to be 70% out side. Look away look away look away Dixie land!!!
This will be my 5th time ordering from Cackle Hatchery. They are friendly, informative and helpful. Would go no where else!!.......Can't wait to get the new peeps!!
I have ordered from this company in the past with great success. I ordered 15 white silkies and 12 Dominiques last week . Again I can not say enough good things about this company, even our mailman was impressed with the size of their shipping box, he informed me he has seen the other companys boxes a lot smaller, and dead chicks. Cackle delivers when promised and healthy live chicks. They do send extras. I have only lost one chick. I would order from them again next year if I want to expand my flock even farther. The dominiques are very tame and friendly at just a few days old.
I just ordered turkeys from them. I previously ordered two batches of 30 chicks each.
They arrived on time, they were all alive and we lost only one from each batch after they arrived [but in one case they shipped an extra of that breed - perhaps thinking they are not as hearty so they'd give an extra.
I LOVE the fact that one does not have to order all the same breed.
I look forward to working with them on an ongoing basis and am pleased to have this opportunity to provide feedback about them.
On May 23, 2007, jab91864 Northern Michigan, MI (Zone 5a) wrote:
I ordered 9 turkeys, 3 ducks, and 5 chicks from Cackle. This was my first time ordering from them and I would use their services again.
I did have 1- dead duckling on arrival but all the others have been healthy and are doing well.
I ordered 125 chicks, 4 goslings, and 6 ducks from Cackle. They were suppose to be at the post office on a Wed. morning, but did not show up. I called Cackle and they were able to tell me they shipped complete. After tracking them down through the post office I found out that the USPS had left them at the nearest large city.
It was frustrating and I was worried about the delay, but the chicks, goslings, and ducks were all doing GREAT! I chose some of the larger mix and match packages that Cackle offers and asked if for a couple specific breeds. It worked out FANTASTIC. On a whim, I ordered the waterfowl special and it turns out that some of the ducks sent to me are from Cackle's "rare breed" section.
I did a lot of comparision shopping before I ordered and found that Cackle was the most resonably priced. I will order from them again and would recommend them as well.
We ordered pullets from Cackle Hatchery a couple years ago and they arrived on time and healthy! I was very happy to find that all of the babies were pullets...not a rooster in the bunch! These babies did wonderfully and began laying us eggs that Fall and continued to produce eggs at a surprising rate (25 pullets = an average of 20-24 eggs a day the first year!)
Last year we made the mistake of getting our new batch of chicks from our local hardware store during their "chick days". Out of the 12 pullets we bought we ended up with TWO roosters...ack! The chicks were healthy but haven't laid eggs as well as those we bought from Cackle.
I am online today ordering our yearly batch of chicks from Cackle...we aren't taking our chances again!
Thanks Cackle for your timely service and wonderful chicks.
The Bruffetts
On May 4th, 2007, jeanettebr added the following:
Update....
I ordered 25 heavy pullets mixed breed on May 1. I got a phone call on May 2 saying my chicks had shipped and would arrive the very next day!
My phone rang early on May 3 ...it was the post office and they had my pullets! We picked them up and brought them home and they were VERY healthy and active....and as a bonus instead of the 25 I ordered there were 28! Today is the 4th and they are doing wonderfully. Eating and drinking well and chirping away...thanks Cackle for another great order! (and about the negative comment left by a customer...I have ordered from Cackle Hatchery 2 times and neither time did they give me a ship date online...both times they have called when they had shipped my order.)
I have ordered from this company numerous times. I use to raise birds for sale to 4-h and local community affairs and the birds were always complimented on. The service was outstanding and very friendly. My postal carrier ( who had never delivered birds before ) was very impressed with the packing and the lively little cheeps. So far i have ordered chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese from them and I'm very confident that this years order of gamebirds will be just as great.
Amber Mellor
P.O. Box 1108
eastpoint
Florida 32328