Tractor Supply chicks: Breeds?

[Katz5617]

I just bought six chicks from TSC. We got three and they told me they were production reds and were unsexed. We paid $1.99 for each of them. In other bin there were chicks which it said were sexed and they were $2.99 each and they said they were all girls - we got three of those which were Buffs. Each of the signs at the TSC where we bought the chicks had the breed listed and whether they were sexed or unsexed. We've had them for a week now and they have nearly tripled in size. I was willing to take a chance on the production reds knowing that I could get all three boys or a combination. If we happen to have any males I will have to give them away. We're not allowed to have roosters in the city limits. I just bought these six on a spur of the moment decision - but they have been healthy and very active. I went back that same afternoon to get some for a friend and every chick they had was gone. As soon as they are getting them in they are selling out. Whomever is taking care of them at the local TSC is keeping the bins clean and all the chicks looked good. I've never bought any from them before so I'll see how they do, but the clerks were able to tell me what the breeds were as well as it being posted on each bin.

 

[Blooie]

How different it could be. We stopped at TSC in Cody day before yesterday because I'd forgotten to pick up a Flock Block when we were in Billings last week. They had chicks in the big galvanized tanks. Cute little boogers, but I have my chicks for the year and don't need any more. (Discipline, right? Are you impressed?) I had to look, though. You know how it is. A voice from behind the chick food display says, "Those are pullets." I looked up into the friendliest face - she was about my age and had such a warm smile!

So I smiled back and asked, "What kinds are in which bins?"

"I honestly don't know. Isn't that awful? None of us are sure what kinds they are. I think the yellow ones are Buff Orpingtons but we've had so much trouble trying to figure it out with these after they came."

I asked her if they had come in a big box divided into compartments. She said they did. Well, then, weren't there stickers on the inside of each compartment with the identification for each breed? She said, "No, I guess they just had it written on the dividers in Sharpie and as soon as the chicks were out of the boxes the boxes were taken out and destroyed."

Okay, now I'm not the brightest crayon in the box sometimes, but I couldn't let it go. "How do they expect you to be able to answer people's questions if they don't give you any information? That isn't fair to you or the customer."

"I know!" she agreed. "I've had people actually yell at me because I didn't know. But I finally got an email with a list of what they sent us." She went to the clipboard that she'd left on top of the chick feed and showed it to me. "See, it's all initials. Like this one - BOSR. I don't know how to tell which ones are BOSRs because I don't even know what that is!"

I told her that I thought that was probably the Buff Orpingtons she thought were in the middle bin...Buff Orpingtons Straight Run. She nodded. "That makes sense. Next batch of chicks that come in I'll be working, so I'm going to write down what is in each section of the boxes as I take them out." Um, good idea.

Last weekend I had bought new chicks at Shipton's Big R in Billings, Montana. There is absolutely no comparison! The standard procedures for handing chicks for each store are so different! Rather than trying to retype it all, you might go up to the Search Box and type in Shipton's Big R Chicks Billings. They have the best system I've ever seen. I posted a review and pictures of how they do it there. It can be done - I don't know why stores can't take a little time out and spend as much time training employees in proper unpacking, noting identifications, and care of these living little creatures as they spend on teaching them how to fold blue jeans for the displays on the sales floors. <sigh> It's not just TSC, either.

There's another feed store in Powell that's even worse. Two big cardboard brooders on the floor, several different varieties of chicks in each one, and signs taped to the side of the cardboard with a list of what's supposedly in the brooders. No descriptions, just a list. And you can reach right in and grab whatever suits you - just don't ask the employees what you have in your hand because they simply tell you, "There's a list on the side."

 

[rancher hicks]

Way more than just Townline. There's Estes, Privett, Hoover, Ideal, Townline and a handful more. The 6 preselected hatcheries could not keep up with the agreed upon quantities so several more last minute hatcheries were added.

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm aware there are more hatcheries. I spoke with the manager where I shop and was told it was Townline. I spend most of my money there, because they're very nice.

I'm not aware of any agreed upon quantities, they don't tell me everything.

Different chick sellers buy from different hatcheries, because I also have Country Max and they order special.

I recently purchased a 1974 issue of Mother earth from back in the day when hatcheries guarded things very tightly. It was interesting.

 

[CliffB]

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm aware there are more hatcheries. I spoke with the manager where I shop and was told it was Townline.  I spend most of my money there, because they're very nice. 

I'm not aware of any agreed upon quantities, they don't tell me everything.  

Different chick sellers buy from different hatcheries, because I also have Country Max and they order special. 

I recently purchased a 1974 issue of Mother earth from back in the day when hatcheries guarded things very tightly.  It was interesting. 

Each store is receiving from 3-4 hatcheries not just one.

 

[fallyn]

I've gone in a few times now and managed to not buy any. Mostly because if i'm going to get six, i'd like six that i at least know the breed. Apparently one of the new hatcheries they are using hasn't been labeling them. One girl was sweet enough to take my contact info and let me know when they come in so I can hopefully figure them out.

 

[rancher hicks]

Each store is receiving from 3-4 hatcheries not just one.

I will have to check because that's not what I was told. Where did you get this info? I talk to the manager here.

 

[CliffB]

I will have to check because that's not what I was told.  Where did you get this info?  I talk to the manager here.  

I've got a list of the hatcheries and also how many birds are due to be shipped each week. The East Syracuse store is still getting small orders which may explain why he is only getting a single hatchery at this moment. Once sales increase and the quantities increase to 300-400 birds each week there will be additional hatcheries used to meet the supply and demand.

 

[rancher hicks]

I've got a list of the hatcheries and also how many birds are due to be shipped each week. The East Syracuse store is still getting small orders which may explain why he is only getting a single hatchery at this moment. Once sales increase and the quantities increase to 300-400 birds each week there will be additional hatcheries used to meet the supply and demand.

Do you work for TSC? Or a hatchery? Because there is no way they've ever gotten that many birds in a week. I'm there quite regularly. At least once or twice a week. I'm just around the corner and I stop in there just to get out of the house. I've kidded them about putting in a cafe.

I'm headed there today.

 

[CliffB]

Do you work for TSC?  Or a hatchery?  Because there is no way they've ever gotten that many birds in a week. I'm there quite regularly.  At least once or twice a week.  I'm just around the corner and I stop in there just to get out of the house.  I've kidded them about putting in a cafe. 

I'm headed there today. 

TSC. From the middle of March to the first of April they are due 345 birds each week.

 

[rancher hicks]

TSC. From the middle of March to the first of April they are due 345 birds each week.

Really this must be something new. I don't recall them ever getting that many. Thanks for the info.