[Groesbeck Hurricane]

We bought birds from two separate hatcheries to check out who we liked best. We also have our own chickens we hatched out at the same time. All birds were kept in separate containers. All birds were started on natural, unmedicated feed and water from the same source. All containers were cleaned the same. All birds are on sasafrass and pine wood shavings.

Our birds: zero deaths, growing healthy. Cross Rhode Island Red and Chochin rooster. Small birds with feathery feet.

First vendor: sixty birds arrived at same time broken by us into two lots. Zero deaths, growing healthy and fast. We had to move them to the "holding cell" a 12x12 cleaned horse stall. Cackle Hatchery. Mixed heritage breeds.

Second vendor: shipped in two lots. First lot arrived same day as above. Within 24 hours all five chocolate turkeys were dead. We switched to a medicated feed. One more dead different breed on saturday. Monday vendor agrees to ship replacements. Thursday, 22 more arrive including five replacements. We start them on medicated food and two more of the original lot die. Friday the second lot is looking ok and two more of the original lot are dying. 50% mortality on the original lot.

Do not know about the first five to die but the rest have demonstrated dipped wings and appeared to be in distress. Their vents are not stopped up. Food and water is readily available and is not allowed to go dry. Heat lamps are provided, except for the first vendor's lot of 60 and my chickens. They all complained about the heat and went to the opposite end of the pens.

Any thoughts on the deaths? Vendor claims they have no other complaints. I find it hard to believe? To me this is more than just birds, they are part of a paycheck around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Losing 8 or more is a little bit of spending money, basically $30.00 per bird on the sale end! And yes, farming is risky business...