Frustrated about the availability of chicks

[MROO]

I have not gotten chicks this year but I over heard the manager on the phone talking about how someons flock had all the chicks die in like weird ways. Something seems wrong with this years chicks and im kind of sad about it.

It makes most of us sad ... and sometimes angry ... because a lot of those deaths could have been prevented if people just did their homework before jumping in after all of those "free eggs!"

 

[thistlewick]

Yeah all my 'messed up' chicks are alive actually - they look weird;

But she's flying and jumping and eating and growing so who cares!

She also 100% is NOT a calico princess as advertised, I think she's a Starlight Green Egger (she looks like my Coffee that I already have)

I worry she's uncomfy but she's perfectly lively and active. So we will see.

But yeah I agree I think TSC is just throwing out batches and batches without regard for QC

 

[MROO]

We ordered ahead through a farm store to add to our flock. We picked up a couple days ago but didn't get all the chicks we ordered, The store had to sort through it all and called again to say we can go in for replacements or refund. The hatchery never sent some varieties at all and sent some substitutions. It's snowing here and we live about 45 minutes drive away but we'll go look at the substitution chicks when it clears up, if any are left! I'm kinda disappointed since one variety I ordered that didn't come in was Crevecoeur. Maybe next year.

When we've gone to TSC and Runnings in the other direction, about an hour away both stores had no chicks at all.

Your best bet for Crevecoeur and other rare breeds is to find a reputable private breeder and order hatching eggs. By the time you pay for shipping and the often very expensive rare chicks, you could have bought an incubator, which you'll have for years. Besides, hatching's FUN!

 

[MROO]

But yeah I agree I think TSC is just throwing out batches and batches without regard for QC

It's not the retailers; it's the hatcheries. They can't keep up and are sending whatever they have, so TSC, the other retailers and even private purchasers are stuck with whatever is available.
Hang in there, everybody ... Here's to hoping things are better next season!

 

[catsndogs4us]

Your best bet for Crevecoeur and other rare breeds is to find a reputable private breeder and order hatching eggs.

Great idea, I have a NR360 and it's already in use . Maybe next year for the idea of buying those eggs . I just saw them on the list of female chicks available to order this year thought to myself well that's different, and added to my order . I needed to go for a specific date range so they'd be close in age to the chicks I'm hatching (Barnyard mix from my flock for a classroom hatch). At least my Turkens came in. I do love Turkens.

 

[catsndogs4us]

Yeah all my 'messed up' chicks are alive actually - they look weird;

For your messed up chicks. Glad they're getting a chance.

 

[MROO]

Yeah all my 'messed up' chicks are alive actually - they look weird;

View attachment 4096167

But she's flying and jumping and eating and growing so who cares!

She also 100% is NOT a calico princess as advertised, I think she's a Starlight Green Egger (she looks like my Coffee that I already have)

I worry she's uncomfy but she's perfectly lively and active. So we will see.

But yeah I agree I think TSC is just throwing out batches and batches without regard for QC

Poor baby. At first glance, I thought "wry neck," but that looks like a spinal deformity or healed injury. As long as she's otherwise happy and healthy, she should be fine. At our house, that would make her stand out. She'd be one very spoiled little "Princess," calico or not!

 

[MROO]

Great idea, I have a NR360 and it's already in use . Maybe next year for the idea of buying those eggs . I just saw them on the list of female chicks available to order this year thought to myself well that's different, and added to my order . I needed to go for a specific date range so they'd be close in age to the chicks I'm hatching (Barnyard mix from my flock for a classroom hatch). At least my Turkens came in. I do love Turkens.

Crevecoeurs have only recently come off the Critically Endangered List. They're a fascinating breed!
https://livestockconservancy.org/crevecoeur-chicken/

 

[CoopBoots]

Yeah all my 'messed up' chicks are alive actually - they look weird;

View attachment 4096167

But she's flying and jumping and eating and growing so who cares!

She also 100% is NOT a calico princess as advertised, I think she's a Starlight Green Egger (she looks like my Coffee that I already have)

I worry she's uncomfy but she's perfectly lively and active. So we will see.

But yeah I agree I think TSC is just throwing out batches and batches without regard for QC

This is Noodle; similar situation where she never responded to wry neck treatment and never gets better or worse. She's a decent layer, fiercely independent, but loves scritches where she can't reach one side of herself to preen well.

She's pretty much our favorite girl and doesn't get bullied in a flock of around 17 other healthy hens.

 

[thistlewick]

Poor baby. At first glance, I thought "wry neck," but that looks like a spinal deformity or healed injury. As long as she's otherwise happy and healthy, she should be fine. At our house, that would make her stand out. She'd be one very spoiled little "Princess," calico or not!

We named her Fiona - the Princess from Shrek haha She's got a lot of spunk we like her a lot!

edit

@CoopBoots she's lovely!! I am so glad that our girl Fiona should do alright then <3 we think she's got character!