New to chickens

[LuvNHens]

Planning to be getting chickens soon. Excited!
Couple things I'm unsure of-
Wondering if I should get them as baby chicks or a couple to few months old?
Our local Tractor & Supply just got chicks in yesterday. I went to see them.
I'm not yet set up so didn't buy any plus they didn't yet have breed I'mI'm looking for.
I'm looking to raise chickens mostly for eggs but would like them to be friendly.
Also I live East of Dallas so Summer is hot but not necessarily humid so I'm wondering is their a particular breed I should be looking at due to hot Summers?
Another qurstion-, am I better off ordering chicks from a hatchery vs buying from Tractor & Supply only because I'm looking for particular breeds?
I'm new to ALL of this including this awesome forum so I apologize if this is wrong thread section. Still trying to navigate my way around forum. Thank You

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Planning to be getting chickens soon. Excited!
Couple things I'm unsure of-
Wondering if I should get them as baby chicks or a couple to few months old?
Our local Tractor & Supply just got chicks in yesterday. I went to see them.
I'm not yet set up so didn't buy any plus they didn't yet have breed I'mI'm looking for.
I'm looking to raise chickens mostly for eggs but would like them to be friendly.
Also I live East of Dallas so Summer is hot but not necessarily humid so I'm wondering is their a particular breed I should be looking at due to hot Summers?
Another qurstion-, am I better off ordering chicks from a hatchery vs buying from Tractor & Supply only because I'm looking for particular breeds?
I'm new to ALL of this including this awesome forum so I apologize if this is wrong thread section. Still trying to navigate my way around forum. Thank You

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! You will have a better breed selection, and can order chicks vaccinated against Marek's disease, if you get them from a good hatchery.
Local feed store chicks won't have Marek's vaccine on board, and there will be a much more limited selection. If the store has breeds you are interested in, it may be a fine place to get a few chicks.
Have your coop, run, and brooder ready to go before those chicks are home!
Mary

 

[joydix]

Planning to be getting chickens soon. Excited!
Couple things I'm unsure of-
Wondering if I should get them as baby chicks or a couple to few months old?
Our local Tractor & Supply just got chicks in yesterday. I went to see them.
I'm not yet set up so didn't buy any plus they didn't yet have breed I'mI'm looking for.
I'm looking to raise chickens mostly for eggs but would like them to be friendly.
Also I live East of Dallas so Summer is hot but not necessarily humid so I'm wondering is their a particular breed I should be looking at due to hot Summers?
Another qurstion-, am I better off ordering chicks from a hatchery vs buying from Tractor & Supply only because I'm looking for particular breeds?
I'm new to ALL of this including this awesome forum so I apologize if this is wrong thread section. Still trying to navigate my way around forum. Thank You

I would not buy from Tractor Supply. Have never heard anything good and my exp Followed Suit. Baby chicks req more work but then you can tame them! And plus they are fun and adorable.

 

[mrshafer5]

I went through meyer hatchery Im in ohio and was very happy. They have a large selection i would get day old so you know they are treated well a couple months old could be pretty skiddish. Watch those bins at the store when there is only a couple of one breed they will mix others in so its a surprise.

 

[MicahtheOkie]

I've bought from tractor supply and from other feed stores without issue, but perhaps I'm lucky. For layers, I'd go rir, production red, or Leghorn. They all have been heat tolerant, in my experience.

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information loads of fun enjoy shake your tail feathers

 

[backyardflock1]

Planning to be getting chickens soon. Excited!
Couple things I'm unsure of-
Wondering if I should get them as baby chicks or a couple to few months old?
Our local Tractor & Supply just got chicks in yesterday. I went to see them.
I'm not yet set up so didn't buy any plus they didn't yet have breed I'mI'm looking for.
I'm looking to raise chickens mostly for eggs but would like them to be friendly.
Also I live East of Dallas so Summer is hot but not necessarily humid so I'm wondering is their a particular breed I should be looking at due to hot Summers?
Another qurstion-, am I better off ordering chicks from a hatchery vs buying from Tractor & Supply only because I'm looking for particular breeds?
I'm new to ALL of this including this awesome forum so I apologize if this is wrong thread section. Still trying to navigate my way around forum. Thank You

It depends what you want them for. Getting baby chicks allow you to raise them and they tend to become friendlier/more attached towards you. If you're looking for particular breeds, Tractor & Supply usually don't have a large selection, but sometimes they do get some good breeds in. You may be able to get better breed selection by ordering day old chicks online. I have used My Pet Chicken and have been satisfied with them (they also offer sexing, and I can't have roosters where I live). I'm sure you have heard of this breed before because it's a very popular and good breed: the Orpington. Welcome to BYC, and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask

 

[KDMdesigns]

I would not buy from Tractor Supply. Have never heard anything good and my exp Followed Suit. Baby chicks req more work but then you can tame them! And plus they are fun and adorable.

@LuvNHens I agree with joydixx, they(TSC) don't always offer what you want.. maybe look at other options.. I can share some if you PM me..