Local TSC vs. McMurray's? A question I should have asked YESTERDAY!

After a recent discussion with a friend with a fair amount of chicken experience, we changed our mind and deciding to try our hand at baby chicks instead of trying to find older pullets (e.g. 17-20 weeks of age). After doing some research online at different hatcheries, we opted to order the 'Ornamental Layers' collection at McMurray's (15 chicks). 15 is more than we need but I figure that gives us a cushion and we can always re-home down the road as needed. They'll be delivered the week of Apr 4, just a couple of weeks away.

Then, today, my daughter and I stopped by our local Tractor Supply Company to start to pick up supplies and I realized (with some embarrassment) that they had a lot of female chicks, and that they would continue to restock weekly through the end of April. She wasn't sure what breeds would be coming in.

So.

I suspect I can still cancel my McMurray's order if I want to. Obviously those chickens will be a more interesting combination, and they will arrive pre-vaccinated, etc. But I do feel a bit foolish having realized that I could have saved quite a bit of $ by just buying 6-8 chicks from TSC (more limited breeds though).

Anyone care to try to sway me in one direction or another?

Thanks!
Jason

In my opinion you might consider staying with the vaccinated chicks. I'm saying this because Mareks disease is literally everywhere and it's also a air born disease that can travel miles in the wind and once it's on your land it will stay for a long time to come. Let me tell you what made this vaccine so very important to me. I had a local breeder of the most beautiful show quality silkies I've ever seen. I've purchased several beautiful birds from her. I asked about vaccination and she said she does not do it and never had a problem......but then Mareks struck her flock. Her beautiful birds were dieing in the worst ways. it spread through the entire flock. All those beautiful birds...she was absolutely devastated. She not only lost her flock, she couldn't sell any longer having Mareks on her land. it was absolutely pitiful to witness. It REALLY opened my eyes to Mareks disease. I read all I could about and learned a very important lesson about how important it is to vaccinate. She did not live far from me and I realized if it can happen to her it can easily happen to me or anyone for that matter. I've heard those famous last words from a lot of people saying "I've never had a problem" until it happens... it's much better to spend the fifty cents to vaccinate to protect your flock. if it were me and you have a choice, and ask the question should I get vaccinated or non vaccinated birds I'd say to protect your flock, buy the vaccinated ones. Other than the issue of the vaccine I see nothing at all wrong with getting birds from the Feed store. But to me, the vaccine IS THAT important. so I would personally stay with the vaccinated ones.what ever you decide I wish the very best for you and your new flock!

The chicks from all our TSC are vaccinated

Our local TSC's gets chicks that aren't vaccinated for Marek's disease, and are often mislabeled as to breed and sex. MMcM has been very good over multiple orders for me. Maybe your TSC will do better, or not. Mary

candyfloss said:

The chicks from all our TSC are vaccinated

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I've never heard of them paying to vaccinate the chicks. Are you certain about that??

I was told the very same thing at our TSC store. Orschelin store did not vaccinate.

Congradulations on your new birds. I grew up in the city and the only chicken I knew about was the guy down the street or in the case of our bigger neighbors I would be the chicken. Last year I retired and moved from the big city to the far side of the boonies. Remember 'Green Acres'? Well now I find myself on a beautiful 14 acre spread in South Mississippi. I figured I'd retire and raise some chickens. My learning curve is no curve at all it is a complete circle! A friend of mine deals with McMurray's and has for some time with great success. Everything I know about raising chickens is book knowledge. Today I jumped into the deep end of the pool. I had been considering ordering day old chicks (Actually probably 3 day old chicks) from McMurray's but I payed a visit to our local TSC. I decided to do business with our local TSC - I purchased three Rhode Island Reds and three Barred Rock straight run well see how it turns out. The little guys or gals were hatched march 15, 2015. I'm really excited about turning my learning circle into a straight line and enjoying some fresh eggs along the way.
John

Welcome! Fresh eggs are the best, and chickens are fun. I started with a few bantams from a neighbor long ago, and now have at least 35 birds all year. Enjoy! Mary

Feathers4Fun2 said:

Congradulations on your new birds. I grew up in the city and the only chicken I knew about was the guy down the street or in the case of our bigger neighbors I would be the chicken. Last year I retired and moved from the big city to the far side of the boonies. Remember 'Green Acres'? Well now I find myself on a beautiful 14 acre spread in South Mississippi. I figured I'd retire and raise some chickens. My learning curve is no curve at all it is a complete circle! A friend of mine deals with McMurray's and has for some time with great success. Everything I know about raising chickens is book knowledge. Today I jumped into the deep end of the pool. I had been considering ordering day old chicks (Actually probably 3 day old chicks) from McMurray's but I payed a visit to our local TSC. I decided to do business with our local TSC - I purchased three Rhode Island Reds and three Barred Rock straight run well see how it turns out. The little guys or gals were hatched march 15, 2015. I'm really excited about turning my learning circle into a straight line and enjoying some fresh eggs along the way.
John

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I have always purchased my chicks from the feed store. I have had very good results so far. You cant worry about everything that can go wrong or you will worry all the time. I am very sorry for the people that have lost their flocks to Mereks and I hope that never happens but there are also lots of people that have lost their whole flocks to predators as well. I am just saying do what you feel is best and then hope and pray for the best. Have fun with your new chicks.
Marie

jaslyman said:

After a recent discussion with a friend with a fair amount of chicken experience, we changed our mind and deciding to try our hand at baby chicks instead of trying to find older pullets (e.g. 17-20 weeks of age). After doing some research online at different hatcheries, we opted to order the 'Ornamental Layers' collection at McMurray's (15 chicks). 15 is more than we need but I figure that gives us a cushion and we can always re-home down the road as needed. They'll be delivered the week of Apr 4, just a couple of weeks away.

Then, today, my daughter and I stopped by our local Tractor Supply Company to start to pick up supplies and I realized (with some embarrassment) that they had a lot of female chicks, and that they would continue to restock weekly through the end of April. She wasn't sure what breeds would be coming in.

So.

I suspect I can still cancel my McMurray's order if I want to. Obviously those chickens will be a more interesting combination, and they will arrive pre-vaccinated, etc. But I do feel a bit foolish having realized that I could have saved quite a bit of $ by just buying 6-8 chicks from TSC (more limited breeds though).

Anyone care to try to sway me in one direction or another?

Thanks!
Jason

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Ask your feed store which hatchery they source from. They may very well be sourcing from McMurray. And they may have a shipment coming of the same type of assortment that you ordered.