Best time to pick up chicks from the feed store?

[Alex S]

This!
Don't get chicks until your coop is done.

I heard from many... I will be sitting and staring at the chicks for my whole day, so I'm planning to start it Late February-Early March

 

[rosemarythyme]

Most feed stores post a list of which breeds they will receive over the chick season. Typically, they get them in in lots of 25 (first price break from hatchery). A moderate sized store might only get in 100 chicks/ week. That # might get bumped up to 200 for "chick days". The best time to get chicks is the week when the breeds you want are available. In March, not alot of people are prepared or thinking about chicks yet so availability is better. Early chicks also get you in eggs mid summer. You will have more competition for April and May chicks and the more desirable ones might be sold out the day they are received. I never pick up chicks on the day they come in. I prefer to let them settle in and recover from the trauma of shipping (i.e. die at the feed store not on my watch).
Most feed stores separate chick breeds in separate bins. If they are mixed, they put 2 breeds where the chicks look nothing alike so anyone can tell the difference. Once you select the breeds you want, get familiar with what the chicks look like so you get infront of any potential problems of taking a chick home you don't want. If they have leftovers from last week and have day olds of the same breed, normally they are mixed together. It will all depend upon how many bins they have available and how many chicks they need to house.

Good answer! You may find the "correct" answer is "when they're available."

Some of the feed stores I frequent have had their chick shipments posted since December. I pick my chick dates according to the breeds I want. Also some breeds may be limited in quantity, so good idea to have some back ups planned in case breeds sell out, or something happens in shipment.

ALSO - keep in mind with Covid and last year's rush on chickens, you may not be able to simply walk in to a store and buy chicks. Last year we had to call two weeks in advance to get an appointment for a 10 minute shopping slot.

 

[CluckerFamily]

In Wisconsin, the feed stores get chicks in March. I sign up for emails so that I know when the Chick Days start. I get them in March so that when they are ready to be taken out of the brooder, we have nice weather and this way they start laying late summer/early autumn.

 

[Roo2D2]

If you are looking for a good deal then shop when "Chick Days" are over and Tractor Supply wants to eliminate the display.

 

[CluckerFamily]

If you are looking for a good deal then shop when "Chick Days" are over and Tractor Supply wants to eliminate the display.

I have heard they have 50 cent days at the end of the season or if they have too many chicks when another batch is about to be delivered. This is dangerous to my chicken math!!

 

[Roo2D2]

I have heard they have 50 cent days at the end of the season or if they have too many chicks when another batch is about to be delivered. This is dangerous to my chicken math!!

It is true on both parts. I had purchased over 60 birds from multiple TSCs. What I learned from this is selection may not be the best. I like friendly pullets which I can sit with, pet, and feed. Out of the 60+ birds, only 12 fit that criteria.

It was a good learning experience. I found out I don't really like leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and Cornish Crosses.

 

[My2butterflies]

All great advise here.

As mentioned already, be ready to make a mad dash for chicks. Last year our feed store sold out the same day they came in. And turkeys are gone within hours of arrival. Broilers and Pekin ducks were the only ones that didn’t sell out right away.
Talk with your store and see when shipments come in so you can plan to be there when they are put out on the floor. I’m sure this year will see at least some level of crazy like last year.

 

[Roo2D2]

I have heard they have 50 cent days at the end of the season or if they have too many chicks when another batch is about to be delivered. This is dangerous to my chicken math!!

Oh, They also tend to mix the birds up when they are clearanced. I accidently purchased Speckled Sussex when I thought I was purchasing wyandottes. It was a good accident as I've found SS are super friendly.

 

[Alex S]

All great advise here.

As mentioned already, be ready to make a mad dash for chicks. Last year our feed store sold out the same day they came in. And turkeys are gone within hours of arrival. Broilers and Pekin ducks were the only ones that didn’t sell out right away.
Talk with your store and see when shipments come in so you can plan to be there when they are put out on the floor. I’m sure this year will see at least some level of crazy like last year.

I just printed the 2021 chick list from my local feed store! I'm planning to go a few days after they ship so if any pass they will be on feed stores watch

 

[AntiqueB]

Heating plates usually have adjustable legs. I make one side slightly lower than the other, so the chicks can find a comfortable place depending on their height. The heat level is not adjustable; the chicks will choose how close they are to the plate, or not under it at all.