Having TSC order chicks for you?!

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello!
I remember someone telling me quite a while ago on here that you can have TSC order chicks for you and then you pick them up in-store? Does anyone know how that works and how I can do it next year when I get a few chicks? Has anyone tried this personally? I like going to Tractor Supply to buy their chicks, but their selection is very slim.
The last time I got chicks there, we had to go to several different Tractor Supply's to get the breeds I wanted. They mostly had all the same breeds, sapphire gems and light brahmas and maybe another. I was very excited when I finally arrived at a TSC quite a while from me which had many breeds only to learn that they were SUPER strict on the chick limit. Plus they were absolutely nasty! Our local TSC doesn't apply the 4 chick limit rule even though they have a sign posted...One time I got one single chick from there (don't worry we got buddies for him.)

Thanks so much!

talkinboutchickens

 

[FrostRanger]

Hello!
I remember someone telling me quite a while ago on here that you can have TSC order chicks for you and then you pick them up in-store? Does anyone know how that works and how I can do it next year when I get a few chicks? Has anyone tried this personally? I like going to Tractor Supply to buy their chicks, but their selection is very slim.
The last time I got chicks there, we had to go to several different Tractor Supply's to get the breeds I wanted. They mostly had all the same breeds, sapphire gems and light brahmas and maybe another. I was very excited when I finally arrived at a TSC quite a while from me which had many breeds only to learn that they were SUPER strict on the chick limit. Plus they were absolutely nasty! Our local TSC doesn't apply the 4 chick limit rule even though they have a sign posted...One time I got one single chick from there (don't worry we got buddies for him.)

Thanks so much!

talkinboutchickens

I would actually advise you order from a hatchery directly rather than through tractor supply. Tractor supply uses hoover hatchery if you had your heart set on the breeds they have. There are other hatcheries as well, I myself have had a good experience with Meyer hatchery but others have also had a good experience with cackle hatchery. How it works is you go to their website, order the breeds you want, pick a hatch date and they'll mail them to your local post office. Once they arrive, your post office will call you to come pick them up (it is a good idea to call beforehand so they'll know to expect them)

 

[wrathsfarm]

I agree with @FrostRanger. It's wise to also search good and bad reviews here or online before ordering from any hatchery your thinking about ordering from. I've also ordered from Meyers and had a good experience and they even credited me back for the accidental male I received. I was close enough to them that I could drive to pickup which was much nicer than that impatient wait for postal shipping.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I agree with @FrostRanger. It's wise to also search good and bad reviews here or online before ordering from any hatchery your thinking about ordering from. I've also ordered from Meyers and had a good experience and they even credited me back for the accidental male I received. I was close enough to them that I could drive to pickup which was much nicer than that impatient wait for postal shipping.

I was thinking about Meyer's, but their shipping price is super expensive I think it's $50 if you only get a couple?

 

[talkinboutchickens]

I would actually advise you order from a hatchery directly rather than through tractor supply. Tractor supply uses hoover hatchery if you had your heart set on the breeds they have. There are other hatcheries as well, I myself have had a good experience with Meyer hatchery but others have also had a good experience with cackle hatchery. How it works is you go to their website, order the breeds you want, pick a hatch date and they'll mail them to your local post office. Once they arrive, your post office will call you to come pick them up (it is a good idea to call beforehand so they'll know to expect them)

I've never ordered from a hatchery before, so thanks so much for the info!

 

[FrostRanger]

I was thinking about Meyer's, but their shipping price is super expensive I think it's $50 if you only get a couple?

Shipping is expensive, but that's with any hatchery. The more you get the less shipping will be. It is worth it since you're not running around and hoping you'll find the breeds you want and you can get them vaccinated for merek's if you so choose

 

[wrathsfarm]

Have you tried searching your local FB, Craigslist or Google search for breeders in your area? If your just wanting a couple this would save on the shipping and you may get lucky with the breeds your looking for being local.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Not sure about TSC but doesn't hurt to check with your feed store (TSC or not) if they do take special orders. Some places will simply add it to the orders they already have scheduled so your chicks will come with all the others they order. I don't know if there's any actual cost savings (maybe in shipping) but this way the employees will receive the order so no chasing around the postal service yourself.

Last time I was at my local feed store to get chicks they had one whole bin reserved, it was someone's special order awaiting pick up.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Not sure about TSC but doesn't hurt to check with your feed store (TSC or not) if they do take special orders. Some places will simply add it to the orders they already have scheduled so your chicks will come with all the others they order. I don't know if there's any actual cost savings (maybe in shipping) but this way the employees will receive the order so no chasing around the postal service yourself.

Last time I was at my local feed store to get chicks they had one whole bin reserved, it was someone's special order awaiting pick up.

That's really cool! This gives me confidence that I am allowed to order from them.

Have you tried searching your local FB, Craigslist or Google search for breeders in your area? If your just wanting a couple this would save on the shipping and you may get lucky with the breeds your looking for being local.

I do have a local breeder but it's an hour away from me

 

[wrathsfarm]

I do have a local breeder but it's an hour away from me

This is my opinion only here but I would go this route rather than hatchery.
Your looking at only 2 hours round trip compared to shipping days thru postal service.
Your also more apt to get the breeds your wanting compared to someone else handing you the wrong breed that looks close in color that feed stores are notorious for.
And your more likely to get better quality and potentially healthier birds especially if the breeder is working towards an SOP standard for their breeding program.

Again my opinion only, I'm not bashing hatcheries here, as I said I've ordered from Meyers and had a great experience..I'm just pointing out a backyard breeder has a smaller flock and has the potential to care more for the health and well being of their stock with much more one on one care to their flock.

Good luck which ever way you decide.