Comments regarding Cackle Hatchery

I am a first-time chicken buyer/owner, and I called Cackle to place an order on 03/07/12. I placed an order for 5 Australorps, 5 Buff Orpingtons, and 5 Light Brahma chicks. The lady I spoke with initially was a bit clipped, but pleasant enough.

I didn't receive an email confirming my purchase, so I called the hatchery back a few days later and confirmed my email address. I checked my "junk" box and the invoice they'd sent had wound up there - which was totally my fault. So they did send me an invoice.

I called back a third time because I'd just found out that it would be better for the chicks to be vaccinated against Marek's disease, and even on the third call back everyone I spoke with was pleasant and business-like. The chicks were vaccinated and I was sent another invoice (which I got!)

The chicks were shipped on their ship date (March 14th,) and I received all 16 of them alive and well. Yes, even the extra one survived!

It's been over a week now that we've had these babies, and they are ALL thriving and doing wonderfully. They will soon be separated because they were bought to be pets/layers for three different households, but for now are happy and healthy babies. Some of them are even starting to fly and escape the brooder!

Very happy with my experience with Cackle. The customer service was outstanding (and they answered my questions each time I called,) and the babies are each healthy. I would definitely recommend this hatchery!

I ordered by phone and was given a ship date, which was the date they shipped on. 100% arrived alive! The assortment had a great variety, which had obviously been chosen with care.

The birds are happy and healthy and growing like weeds!

Thanks Cackle!

My experience with Cackle Hatchery is a positive one. Last spring, we ordered 20 surplus rare turkeys, 5 Black Breasted Red Phoenix, 5 Silver Laced Polish, and 5 Partridge Cochins. My 4-H kids were thrilled will their little friends and I have been very impressed with the Hardiness of the turkeys. One did die within a few weeks and one was killed by a dog a few weeks ago, but other than that, they have been really hardy birds. We have eaten a few and were really impressed. My daughter took Grand Champion with her BBRP in her class and my son took reserve with his Polish in his class. We had a slight problem with the shipping dates, the turkeys had to be shipped later, but they called me about that. We did receive some Golden Duckwing phoenixes by mistake, but they have been so great about that, too. The cochins are great layers, but did not excel in the county fair. We are definitely ordering from them again and have encouraged others in our 4-H club to do so as well.
Overall a very positive experience.

Posted on February 12, 2012, updated February 12, 2012
We ordered 15 heritage chickens last April for delivery in June. They arrived all in good shape, and I am pleased to report that they all lived, and most will be in the freezer shortly. My only minor issue is that when I ordered them, they didn't give me a ship date, rather there was a comment field to leave requests. In late May I had to e-mail them to request a "general" arrival date. They emailed back apologizing for not letting me know when they would arrive. Great birds, just need a little tweek in the customer service arena.

I ordered 15 Cornish Cross broilers that hatched Oct 4th. I received the chicks the next day at the post office, all 15 plus one extra were alive and well. All were healthy and made it to slaughter weight without any problems whatsoever. I had good customer service when I called the hatchery, no problems placing my order and they called the day they were shipped to let me know my order was en route. My experience with Cackle Hatchery was positive, and I look forward to doing business with them again.

Posted on June 21, 2011, updated July 4, 2011
Posted on June 5, 2011, updated June 21, 2011
Mid May 2011 we called Cackle Hatchery to order Delaware chicks. We were connected after a short wait. The employee was very helpful even though Delawares were not available for an extended period of time. We ordered Speckled Sussex chicks to be shipped the next week. I called after the ship date to confirm the shipment, again the employee was very nice and efficient. The chicks arrived right on schedule. While the shipping box was a bit battered (USPS), they were alert and active with one extra chick. A couple of the chicks were smaller than the others. That has not slowed them a bit. One week later all were doing very well. This is our first experience with Cackle Hatchery and we are planning to seek Delawares from this vendor at a later date.

"On Jul 25, 2011 5:08 PM, Cackle Hatchery responded with:

Let us know how they turned out.
"

Posted on December 2, 2010, updated May 23, 2011
I ordered from Cackle Hatchery in June and they sent me a email stating my chicks would be shipped on the 21st of July. A couple days after I received my chicks at the post office all healthy and alive. I ordered 5 blue silkies, 6 light brahmas, 5 white sultans, 6 buff orpingtons, and 5 splash bantam cochins. Which is a total of 27 birds. I received 32 chicks, so I got an extra of each breed. My chicks are now a little over 4 months old and are turning out beautifully. Thank you so much Cackle! I will be ordering from you again.
Melody

"On Dec 31, 2010 4:24 PM, Cackle Hatchery responded with:

Thanks for your kind words. Nancy"

I ordered my chicks from Cackle Hatchery before I found the reviews on here and was terrified after I saw all the negative reviews but it was to late to cancel and so far I am very happy I didn't! I got the 10 chick pullet special with 5 golden-laced wyandottes and silver-laced wyandottes it was the only place that I could find that offered both in such a small order. I called the post office a couple days prior to let them know I had ordered them and she informed me that she would call me around 6:15am the day they arrived. True to her word I got my wake up call and actually asked her if they were peeping because I was freaked out after reading some of these reviews. She said yes that she believed them to have all made it as there was no bad smell coming from the box. I ran down and got them and I opened the box to ten little babies that were all alive and thus far seem very healthy not to mention cute as heck! Got them into the brooder and they were active right away and ate and drank like champs. When I looked at the way they packed them it had a little straw nest to keep them insulated, some green gel stuff that I believe was a vitamin/water supplement and chick feed in there. While there may have been issues for some in the past thankfully my experience so far has been good!

I also wanted to comment because usually the negatives are the ones who speak up. I had a great experience with Cackle. I ordered my 31 chicks on April 30. I got an invoice and ship date on May 9, which was less than the 10 days they request for processing. My ship date was May 16. They called me on the Saturday before, and my answering machine was off, so I called them on Monday. The line was busy the first time, but the second time I tried I spoke to a really nice woman who explained that my order would be shipped May 18 instead of May 16. They had notes on my account about calling me and getting my fax machine. She was very nice and very helpful. I got 33 chicks (2 extra) on May 20. Almost three days later, they are all alive doing well.

10 of my chicks were cochin hatchery choice, and I got 4 different colors of cochins. The 5 americaunas I ordered were also all different colors. I'm very pleased with the birds I received and the service from Cackle. I read these reviews after I placed my order and second guessed my choice. Now I'm so glad I chose Cackle for my first hatchery order.

I feel I should post a review of Cackle Hatchery because reading the reviews here almost stopped me from ordering from them. I wanted Ancona ducks and most hatcheries don't sell them, so, I went ahead and ordered them anyway. This was my first order from any hatchery, but I can't imagine another hatchery doing a better job. I ordered 15 ducks, online, on Thursday, May 12. Received a call from them on Monday, May 16 asking if I would like the ducks sent out. I picked the ducks up at my post office Wednesday May 18. All 20 ducks that they sent me, the 15 that I paid for, and 5 extras, arrived fine, and now, 17 hours later, are doing well. I would order from them again if this experience is the norm.

I had purchased a fair quantity of assorted baby birds from Cackle Hatchery several years ago - my father & I owned a pet store, and we did the whole "Easter thing" each & every year. Colored assorted chicks, assorted ducklings, baby geese..........even a few turkeys. Usually a total of anywhere from 200-300 total birds. Everything always arrived in great condition, and when expected..as promised.
Years later, my family wanted to purchase a few ducklings to have on our property as pets - first company that came to mind was Cackle. I placed an order over the phone. The salesperson who took care of me was extremely friendly, and addressed / answered all of my questions & concerns. We even got cut off during our phone call, and she called ME back to pick up where we left off.......which was very impressive.
I ordered our ducklings, and shipment was arranged on May 2nd. I had already notified the post office of their pending arrival so that I could pick them up there as soon as they arrived. They arrived on May 4th - exactly when promised. Pickup went smoothly, and everyone made the trip in great shape. Ordered a total of 23 ducklings ( 15 Ancona, and 8 Black Cayuga ).
As of today, I am glad to say that all are doing fine, and growing like weeds!! I , too, have an internet based business.......and know exactly how things go sometimes. You ALWAYS are 100% sure to hear from the customers who have a problem, or are not 100% pleased with everything. Even if those customers are a very small percentage of your overall customer base. So, it is refreshing to know when a customer is pleased, or satisfied, with the services provided - which I certainly am !!! And then takes the time to let the business actually know that they have done a good job, or that everything went well with your shopping experience. Which I am doing with this posting.
Job well done folks!! I obviously can only speak on my own behalf, and of my own experiences. But all in all have dealt with this company at least 8 or 10 times - each time I have been perfectly satisfied with everything.
We are now contemplating purchasing some Guineas in the near future.....and I have no hesitation at all with giving Cackle Hatchery my order for these birds as well.

Thanks again - we love our little ducks!!
Darren Valentine - Evensville, TN

I had an excellent experience with Cackle and will be using them again to order my guineas. I called about a billion times before getting through, but I was lucky enough to get Jodi to handle my order. She was extremely pleasant and helpful. I ordered 15 buff orpington pullets and 1 cockerel. They arrived on time and in excellent condition. They are growing very well. I could not be happier. When I do call to place my guinea order, I only hope that Jodi takes my order again. Very pleased with her service. Overall great experience!!!

I had a very positive experience with Cackle. I ordered 15 chicks, 5 each of 3 different breeds.
I called on the scheduled ship date to see if they had actually shipped and was put on hold while the lady went to see. She came back shortly and said that my complete order had shipped that morning as scheduled. She was very polite and answered a couple of extra questions without me feeling she was rushing me.
All arrived alive with an extra chick of the rare breed. This was last week and they are thriving. I will definitely use Cackle again.

I ordered chicks, guineas and turkeys last spring. I had to move the order back a month or so after I placed it and they worked with me and never once complained. All my birds arrived happy and healthy and I've had them six months now and all are doing well. Just placed another order for this coming spring because I had such a positive experience. I'll add my birds had to travel from their hatchery to New England. I think they did a great job.

"On Dec 31, 2010 4:23 PM, Cackle Hatchery responded with:

Thank you for your kind words. Nancy"

Purchased Australorp pullets, Black Jersey Giant roosters, and Royal Palm turkeys from Cackle Hatchery this July, 2010. Ordered to be picked up at hatchery. Order was ready and all birds were "very" healthy. They have grown well and becoming BEAUTIFUL bids. Had a POSITIVE experience with Cackle. Would definitely do business with them again.

"On Dec 31, 2010 4:24 PM, Cackle Hatchery responded with:

Thanks for your kind words. Nancy"

This was my 1st order with Cackle; 3 varieties in small numbers. They arrived cute and perky but 2 days later 1 suddenly died. The rest have continued to thrive, (except for the 2 which were murdered by a skunk that tunneled into their house). They are growing into beautiful birds that love their real free-range lifestyle and the companionship of elder "aunties". There is only 1 rooster out of 25. He can be chicken 'wing candy'.

Posted on August 1, 2008, updated June 13, 2010
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 am very pleased with the chicks that I received from cackle hatchery The chicks I received April 9, 2010 are growing fast. They are a month old and are fully feathered and can tell the Four rosters already. I never had RI reds grow so fast they are the size of a full gown old english bantie in a month. I have even turned off the brooder because they just roost on top of it. I still have them on chick starter. I ordered a hundred pullets of RI Reds and have only lost one. They all arrived alive and healthy, started eating as soon as I took them out of the box. Thanks Cackle Hatchery for the fine chicks.
llb1945
WA

When I placed my order I did not do it correct, I recived a phone call, very hopefull and great customer service. I then completed a new order on line 4 days later received a call and my order would be there on Friday. One week total, my chicks were waiting for me. They are alert and heathly. Thanks, Cackle Hatchery

Posted on May 4, 2010, updated May 4, 2010
First time ordering from a hatchery. I did research on all of the "big" hatcheries and found Cackle the to be the one to try. I placed my internet order on March 20. I got an email confirmation the next day. On March 31st I got an email with an invoice and a ship date of April 28 (my credit card was billed then). It took so long to ship them because I ordered many different varieties with no substitutions. I ordered 10 golden sebrights, 5 silver sebrights, 5 mille fleur d'uccle, and 5 white tailed black Japanese bantams. They arrived on April 30(a 2 day delivery to southern middle TN). There were 28 in the box. All were alive, but I lost one the next day. I never had to make a single call to them. It was a good experience from start to finish.

First time ordering from Cackles ordered 30 chicks 3 different breeds and received 33 on Apr 1 and all are a month old and healthy I would recommend them to anyone I will be ordering from them again next year. Thank you

We have ordered chicks from Cackle Hatchery for years and we have never had anything but happy dealings! We have even shown some of their birds and won blue ribbons. I believe their genetics are some of the best and in comparison with Welp Hatchery I would rate them a little higher insofar as genetics in their stock goes. Cackle Hatchery in my opinion is a wonderful place to do business and I would not hesitate to order from them in the future; in fact we hope to do so again soon. I hope that you do not let the negative reactions of a few disgruntled individuals deprive you of the enjoyment of the beautiful and useful birds from the folks at Cackle Hatchery!

I ordered turkeys and ducks for the first time from Cackle. I was ordering as a gift for a relative in Kansas. I emailed their customer service department explaining that I had no idea what the process was or what to order. They were very helpful, explaining what the differences were between all of the varieties and helping me to decide what would do well. I placed my order and receive a confirmation with the expected delivery date. My order arrived to the recipient on the stated delivery date in good condition. The turkeys and ducks were very healthy and there were no deaths. I will always order from Cackle.

I am very pleased with my order of 25 asst heavy pullets. Cackle not only sent happy healthy little girls, but the assortment is outstanding. Beautiful feather colorings! Chicks arrived on time, they were well protected against cold, etc and everyone of them was alive and active. I had the brooder ready to go and just followed their detailed instructions and couldn't be more pleased. I am having so much fun watching and caring for these "gorgeous" girls. Cackle's professionalism has made this an awesome experence!

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.

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.

Morris Bird Ranch

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!

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.

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!