Business Details
About
Livestock Breeder
We specialize in hatching purebred poultry. Our quality chickens are for eggs, showing, meat, or pets. We have been providing poultry since 1936 and ship throughout the USA. It's always Chick Season™ here! Got Chicks™? We do!
Location
Hours
Reviews
4.2
1,833 reviews
5 stars
1,324
4 stars
113
3 stars
45
2 stars
56
1 star
295
What are people saying?
AI-generated from recent customer reviews
Customer Service
While some customers praised the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff, many reported poor customer service experiences, particularly regarding refunds and handling of dead chicks.
Chick Health
A significant number of reviews indicated issues with chick health, including high mortality rates and genetic defects such as cross beaks, leading to dissatisfaction among customers.
Order Fulfillment
Several customers expressed frustration over incorrect orders, missing chicks, and substitutions without prior notification, contributing to a negative overall experience.
Shipping Issues
Many reviews highlighted problems with shipping, including delays and inadequate packaging that resulted in dead chicks upon arrival.
Repeat Customers
Despite the negative feedback, some customers reported positive experiences and indicated they would continue to order from Cackle Hatchery, suggesting a divide in customer satisfaction.
- JHJake HammondNov 17, 20255.0I had ordered ducks from them in June one died but the rest did well...it was a long ways to ship and baby birds are fragile so its just how it goes with baby birds (the post office send them thr oppostie way at first too which makes no sense on thier part ...). They were peking ducks and high quality and as they grew adult hood they were also sexed correctly. Great work there idk how yall do that. I imagine all the work that goes into this place...baby birds are so much time and effort to care for..its astounding (i hatched 100 eggs myself this yr, was a learning experience...). The ducks were of superior quality imo. Im hoping to order more chickens fo rthis spring ...hoping for black copper marans someday! ha.
- WDWalt DentonOct 29, 20255.0Absolute pleasure to do business with. All my birds arrived safe and healthy. Most importantly though, all of the birds we have gotten from them have thrived well into adulthood. Will happily buy from these folks again and again.
- YBYesenia BelmanOct 28, 20254.0Ordered 12 chicks and received them in September. They added 2 extra chicks. Luckly they all made it and are super healthy. They are currently 6 weeks. Shipping did take 2 to 3 days so I was worried.
- TSTroy & StephanieOct 18, 20251.0Super disappointed. This was my first order with this hatchery and only 3 out of the 10 chicks I ordered are still alive (I have feeling they will not make it either). The day after they arrived they started dying. Felt like every time I walked to check on them I was finding one. The only things I noticed about the chicks that failed was they were super small and most of them had crossed beaks which I didn’t know was a thing until I saw other reviews. I have hatched and raised many of chicks with never having any problems like this. Of course some chicks just don’t make it but not like this. After calling cackle hatchery they told me to give the chicks ACV and egg whites. That was the only help they had for me. I know for certain there was something wrong with this batch of chicks. So disappointed after paying $100+ dollars. I don’t ever intend on ordering from cackle hatchery again and will not recommend to neighbors and friends.
- TPTyler PettusOct 10, 20253.0Just received out batch of chicks we ordered. We were excited about a certain breed they had on sale so we decided to order the minimum of 15 chicks. The rare chicks we were after were almost 20$ a bird and to our surprise when they came in not only did we not receive the chicks we were after and the reason for our order. They changed the order paperwork by pen as seen on the paperwork that came with the birds delivery and gave us two other random birds valuing under 10 dollars. Shorting us the birds we were excited about with no choice of substitute, while shorting us over 40$ at the same time. No call was made to us letting us know anything had gone wrong or any change needed to be made. They just took our money with no explanation, shorted us a bird not even sending the 15$ they require and stole my wife’s hopes and dreams by not sending us the breed she was so excited for. This is my first time ordering from this hatchery and this will likely be the last unless they decide to return my customer support tickets. Very sad and disappointed at this point :(
Frequently Asked Questions About Cackle Hatchery®
Phone Line Is Busy/Internet Confirmed Ship Date
We are sorry if you encounter a busy signal on the phone. We have moved into a larger office, updated our phone system with more lines, and increased our staff. We do apologize if you have trouble getting through. Internet orders are processed in the order received. When ordering through the website you will receive an immediate e-mail response notifying you that your order has been received. It will include your order number. Please refer to this number if you call or e-mail about your order. You will receive a second e-mail in 5-10 minutes that includes your ship date. If the e-mail address you listed on your order is correct and you have not heard from us iwithin 1 day, also check that your spam program has not blocked our e-mail. We are hatching 140,000 birds weekly and securing your order and hatch/ship date is done as quickly as humanly possible. 90% of your questions can be answered by this page and also our GUARANTEES/POLICIES page.
Do the customers pay for shipping?
Yes, internet orders automatically figure your shipping for you with online orders. Mail-in orders or phone orders use our shipping chart. Shipping charges are not only the postage. The shipping charge covers postage to your Post Office, and box, padding, nesting, any heater, HydroAid, any special packaging because of weather and costs associated with the delivery of your order to our regional post office dispatch for truck or flight. Most of our supplies, books, incubators, brooders, and medications are FREE shipping. Supply orders for Hawaii, Alaska and US Possessions will require additional fees for shipping.
What is my estimated cost to ship baby chicks to me?
Here is a rough estimate of cost for shipping and handling: For 15-300 birds Step 1: $20.00 Step 2: 15-100 x $0.27 per bird charge. 101-150 x $0.25 per bird charge, 151-300 x $0.23 per bird charge. Step 3: $20.00 + per bird charge= shipping cost. Example 15 birds is $24.05, 25 is $26.75, 50 is $33.50, 100 is $47.00. Each additional 300 birds is an additional $20.00 flat rate. During hot weather, we may need to spread the birds into more bundles and an additional flat rate fee of $20.00 may be required even if under 300 birds.
How far in advance should I book my order of chicks?
As soon as you know when and how many you want to order you should go ahead and book your order. We start taking orders on January 2nd for that current year to be booked and shipped for any time between Feb.-Sept. See Calendar. You can pick the month you would like your poultry shipped to you or note ASAP. It is common practice to order 2-6 weeks before the date you want for delivery. For rush orders, we recommend noting as a comment that it is okay to substitute similar kinds in the event we are short on one or two of your requested breeds. When we receive your order, we look for the earliest possible date for ALL of your breeds requested and are available together. Some breeds (rare turkeys, guineas, ducks, geese, and game birds) are not available for later in the year. Customers can consider ordering the chicken orders on a separate order for a possible earlier delivery time. We then secure that date and take those birds off the market for sale and send you a confirmation of your hatch/ship date. Because live newly hatched chicks become perishable the day they hatch, it is necessary to have them all sold well before their hatch date. Newly hatched chicks have their three day supply of yolk still in their system to sustain them for their trip to your home. Cackle hatches 110,000 -140,000 poultry per week and we do a pretty good job of counting our chicks before they hatch when we secure your order.
Why is my ship date being moved?
You've heard the expression "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." Well, at Cackle Hatchery® our business demands for us to count our chickens before they hatch and to make it even harder our business demands we count (estimate) our chickens before the eggs are even laid. We fulfill 95% of the shipping dates we give you for your orders and we apologize if you should be one of the few customers who encounter a delay in the shipment of your chick order. We would notify you by phone as soon as any delay is encountered. We thank you for your business and hope we earn your business.
What are the phone center hours for contacting Cackle Hatchery®?
The phone center is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
How can I place an order for chicks and receive confirmation?
Orders placed via the website receive an immediate email with the order number, followed by a second email in 5-10 minutes with the ship date. If you don't receive the emails, check your spam folder or contact support.
Do I have to pay shipping costs for my poultry order?
Yes, shipping costs are included for internet orders and are calculated automatically online. Shipping fees cover postage, packaging, special weather protection, and delivery to the regional post office dispatch. Some supplies like books and incubators ship for free.
How much does it cost to ship baby chicks?
Shipping costs start at $20 plus a per bird charge that varies by quantity. For example, 15 chicks cost approximately $24.05 and 100 chicks $47.00. Additional bundles or weather conditions may add fees.
When should I book my order for chicks?
Orders start January 2nd for shipments between February and September. It's recommended to book 2-6 weeks before your desired delivery date and to specify if substitutions are acceptable for rush orders.
Why might my chick shipment date be changed?
Although 95% of ship dates are fulfilled as promised, unforeseen delays happen due to the nature of hatching poultry. Customers will be notified immediately if delays occur.
What types of poultry and supplies does Cackle Hatchery® offer?
They offer a variety of poultry including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, gamebirds, fertile eggs, and poultry supplies.
What nearby places can customers visit before or after their visit to Cackle Hatchery®?
Customers can visit Clifton's West Side Cafe for food, Hudson Feed and Grain for pet and agricultural supplies, and Powerhouse Coffee Shop for refreshments, all within the vicinity of Cackle Hatchery®.
Are there convenient transportation or rental services near Cackle Hatchery®?
Yes, the U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer nearby offers truck rentals, which can be useful for transporting poultry or supplies purchased at Cackle Hatchery®.
Where can customers find pet grooming or animal care services near Cackle Hatchery®?
First Class Pet Grooming is located nearby, providing grooming services that customers with pets might find helpful during their visit to the area.