I am thinking about purchasing my first chicks from Tractor Supply

[gdemo]

I dont know if this a good idea or not. And will they know if they are male or female? Should I buy both sexes to start or just females? Never had chickens before and I am very exited to get started.

 

[Melinda35]

Most likely the employees will not know if they are male or female or the breed. I suggest you do a lot of research on chicks before purchasing so that you can make a good decision. If you want a certain breed I would order from a hatchery or a reputable breeder in your area so you know you are getting what you want. I have only purchased assorted bantams from Tractor Supply and ended with 4 males and 2 females. I just order my chicks from Ideal and then go pick them up since they are right down the road that way I know what I am getting.

Good luck!

 

[Eggcitedpeeper]

This is perfectly okay. You can purchase chicks anywhere, and tractor supply is one of the best I prefer getting them from feed stores or local breeders as opposed to online because that is hard for the chicks and they don't all live. It depends, if you just want the chickens for the eggs, you don't have to have a rooster. But if you want to breed them, I would get roosters because they'll need to fertilize the eggs, as you probably already know lol
I have around 60 or 70 chickens at the moment and I have 6 roosters... Not counting the chicks we have that we don't know the sexes yet. Let us know how the chicks turn out!

 

[gdemo]

Thanks that helps! I am from Ludlow, Massachusetts any have any ideas to purchase chicks in my area?.....Near Springfield, Ma.

 

[Dingo]

I'm not too far from you, my closest TSC stopped selling chicks last week.
Some small feed stores might still have some, and most (if not all) will order some for you. You'd be able to pick the breed and sexes then.
If you want a cockerel I have two that either need new homes or are going to be butchered. Ludlow is about 40 mins from me, I'm sure we could work something out.

 

[RonC]

The only way to purchase a specific sex of chick at TSC would be to buy sex-links. They are different colors when hatched abd easily identified. I agree with all the above comments, if you want a specific breed and sex go to a hatchery,breeder or feed store. Most hatcheries have a backlog at this time of year for pullets. Varies with the breed how long. Look on the featured sponsors to the right to find someone with what you want. Also check local laws, many towns do not allow roosters.

 

[GSDBESTK9]

I bought my 6 chicks from Tractor Supply and I got very lucky. All six of them are very healthy and look great. HOWEVER, I would make sure to go to different TS first and see which are better taken cared of. I have 2 TS near me, the one I got mine from and the other one I went and thought the chicks looked horrible, very bad condition. I just went there yesterday to get some stuff for my chickens and they are all gone though. When I asked, they told me they are done for the year????? I had no idea they stop selling chicks at some point so I'm glad I got mine just in time.

I only wanted females so I bought Sex Links to make sure they were all females. If you buy other breeds like Rhode Islands (these are the ones I actually wanted) TS employees will not be able to tell which sex they are. BUT if you buy them online, they guarantee they are the sex you ask for. Just gotta pay for shipping and pray they all make it.

 

[Dingo]

One other way to get chicks; Meyer Hatchery does monthly chick giveaways on facebook. For May they're giving away polish chicks. https://www.facebook.com/meyerhatchery/app_197602066931325

 

[suzeqf]

I bought my first chicks from TSC but mine stop selling chicks almost 2 weeks ago. My first chicks were 4 sex link pullets and 2 straight run bantys, they are now over a year old and my girls lay very well and my bantys turned out to be roo's.

 

[caj1985]

There are a couple of nice hatcheries close to you. Just do an internet search for hatcheries in Missouri. You can go right to the hatchery and pick them up.

Edited: Sorry, I misread your location as Springfield, MO. Boy do I feel stupid. I doubt you want to drive from Massachusetts to Missouri.