How to choose chicks from a batch...

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ChickityChina

ChickityChina

Songster
Feb 18, 2016
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Carroll County, Maryland
Aside from the obvious (not walking properly, lethargic, not eating/drinking), I wondered if any of y'all have tips for selecting healthy, friendly chicks from a batch. I am getting day-olds this Monday from a local feed store who has them set out in brooders all over the store. It is a reputable local place and I have no fears of getting diseased chicks, but I want to choose wisely. I am purchasing 6 chicks (3 EEs, 1 RIR, 1 Australorp, 1 Golden Comet). Are there things pertaining to the individual breeds to look for in a chick? Is there a way to tell their temperament this early on before I purchase them? I know many of you have lots of experience with chicks and if you wanna toss me a bit of help I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks in advance!!
 
Chicks that don't run when you place your hand in the brooder, but also don't attack you. They might all run initially but look for those that warm up quickly
 
forgetful said:
Chicks that don't run when you place your hand in the brooder, but also don't attack you. They might all run initially but look for those that warm up quickly
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Great idea! I'll try this for sure - thanks! :)

eimearodowd said:
This is what I did before I got my girls. It seemed to work. Are you getting them from TSC?
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No - although there is one just down the road. I am getting them from Bowman's Feed store. Local joint with a great reputation.
 
That's good. The TSC chicks can be a little problematic. If you're getting them from a different place then you shouldn't really have a problem :) Constant handling and a good environment will really establish how your chicks will end up after you get home.
 
eimearodowd said:
That's good.  The TSC chicks can be a little problematic.  If you're getting them from a different place then you shouldn't really have a problem :)  Constant handling and a good environment will really establish how your chicks will end up after you get home.  
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What makes tsc chicks problematic? Just curious before getting them from there
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From our experience, the chicks seem to be "traumatized" when we get them. Little kids have been picking them up all week and playing around with them, which exposes them to sicknesses that could easily be spread. They don't seem to form a liking towards people at all, no matter how much they're handled. I'm not saying that every TSC is bad :) Some are really good, and yours may be perfectly fine. The experiences with the ones around me haven't been very good, though I think it's just because of my location. I got my current batch of girls from Homestead Gardens, which I highly recommend :). They sex the chicks for you, and they seem to be a lot stricter on who is able to handle the birds. In TSC, they are constantly handled by workers and shoppers, and seem to be stressed.
 
eimearodowd said:
From our experience, the chicks seem to be "traumatized" when we get them. Little kids have been picking them up all week and playing around with them, which exposes them to sicknesses that could easily be spread. They don't seem to form a liking towards people at all, no matter how much they're handled. I'm not saying that every TSC is bad :) Some are really good, and yours may be perfectly fine. The experiences with the ones around me haven't been very good, though I think it's just because of my location. I got my current batch of girls from Homestead Gardens, which I highly recommend :). They sex the chicks for you, and they seem to be a lot stricter on who is able to handle the birds. In TSC, they are constantly handled by workers and shoppers, and seem to be stressed.
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My TSC experiences different problems, but I can absolutely see that happening with yours. Chicks at ours sell very quickly so they don't have a chance to be handled that much. The employees also don't let anyone hold them. However I have seen bantams given far too little room and several in a batch get smooshed. The chicks I've gotten have been friendly, and one of them was the friendliest bird I've gotten. That can vary very widely with each store, as shown by your experience with them.
 
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