Purchasing chicks from different sources

[Organic Gal]

I am going to purchase about 8-10 chicks in a week or so and I was thinking of purchasing them from two different sources. A local feed store and Tractor Supply are close to me so I thought I would get some chicks from each as they offer different breeds. Is that advisable? Should all the chicks come from the same hatchery to ensure no health issues?

 

[igorsMistress]

I would ask if the chicks are vaccinated, specifically for Marek's. If one batch is and the other isn't, I wouldn't mix them. If they all are or are not then it won't matter.

 

[Organic Gal]

I would ask if the chicks are vaccinated, specifically for Marek's. If one batch is and the other isn't, I wouldn't mix them. If they all are or are not then it won't matter.

Thanks that's a good point

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have no issues mixing vaccinated and non-vaccinated chicks as far as Marek's goes. The vaccination does not make them carriers, they are not going to infect the others. I just don't see an issue there. @igorsMistress perhaps you could explain what issues you see?

I don't know what hatcheries Tractor Supply and that feed store are using. Different Tractor Supplies get the chicks form different hatcheries. The chicks from major hatcheries are about as safe from disease as you can get. The chickens that lay the eggs are kept separated from where the eggs are incubated and hatched. They are professionals and have very high biosecurity standards. From that aspect I would not worry as long as the feed store chicks are coming from an established hatchery.

Each TSC and feed store has different people working there. TSC has some rules to try to enhance biosecurity but some employees might be better at following those than others. Rules like customers can't just pick up chicks and put them back. I don't know how that feed store is managed. To me the biosecurity practiced by that specific TSC and feed store would be the weakest link. Unless I saw something that raised a flag I would not feel uncomfortable in getting chicks from both. To me it would be safer than getting chicks form swaps, auctions, bringing home a chicken from a chicken show, or getting chicks from a neighbor. Nothing in life is without risk but that's pretty low level risk.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have no issues mixing vaccinated and non-vaccinated chicks as far as Marek's goes. The vaccination does not make them carriers, they are not going to infect the others. I just don't see an issue there. @igorsMistress perhaps you could explain what issues you see?

I don't know what hatcheries Tractor Supply and that feed store are using. Different Tractor Supplies get the chicks form different hatcheries. The chicks from major hatcheries are about as safe from disease as you can get. The chickens that lay the eggs are kept separated from where the eggs are incubated and hatched. They are professionals and have very high biosecurity standards. From that aspect I would not worry as long as the feed store chicks are coming from an established hatchery.

Each TSC and feed store has different people working there. TSC has some rules to try to enhance biosecurity but some employees might be better at following those than others. Rules like customers can't just pick up chicks and put them back. I don't know how that feed store is managed. To me the biosecurity practiced by that specific TSC and feed store would be the weakest link. Unless I saw something that raised a flag I would not feel uncomfortable in getting chicks from both. To me it would be safer than getting chicks form swaps, auctions, bringing home a chicken from a chicken show, or getting chicks from a neighbor. Nothing in life is without risk but that's pretty low level risk.

From what I've read the Marek's vaccine can be leaky. It doesn't prevent the disease either, just masks the symptoms. I'd rather know and prefer not to have a leak.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Where have you heard that it can be leaky? Any links?

 

[Organic Gal]

I have no issues mixing vaccinated and non-vaccinated chicks as far as Marek's goes. The vaccination does not make them carriers, they are not going to infect the others. I just don't see an issue there. @igorsMistress perhaps you could explain what issues you see?

I don't know what hatcheries Tractor Supply and that feed store are using. Different Tractor Supplies get the chicks form different hatcheries. The chicks from major hatcheries are about as safe from disease as you can get. The chickens that lay the eggs are kept separated from where the eggs are incubated and hatched. They are professionals and have very high biosecurity standards. From that aspect I would not worry as long as the feed store chicks are coming from an established hatchery.

Each TSC and feed store has different people working there. TSC has some rules to try to enhance biosecurity but some employees might be better at following those than others. Rules like customers can't just pick up chicks and put them back. I don't know how that feed store is managed. To me the biosecurity practiced by that specific TSC and feed store would be the weakest link. Unless I saw something that raised a flag I would not feel uncomfortable in getting chicks from both. To me it would be safer than getting chicks form swaps, auctions, bringing home a chicken from a chicken show, or getting chicks from a neighbor. Nothing in life is without risk but that's pretty low level risk.

I believe TSC does not let people pick them up as I was there in the fall and they had fencing around the chicks containers and wouldn't let customers go in there. I'll have to find out where the feed store gets their chicks however I believe they get them from Meyers. Thanks for the response

 

[SueT]

I wouldn't be afraid of mixing chicks from different stores that I feel good about. Try to get them all the same day or close to, and they'll grow up one big happy family.

 

[Organic Gal]

I wouldn't be afraid of mixing chicks from different stores that I feel good about. Try to get them all the same day or close to, and they'll grow up one big happy family.

Thank you for your response. I had planned on getting them the same day so they would be around the same age.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I'll have to find out where the feed store gets their chicks however I believe they get them from Meyers.

My local TSC gets their chicks from Hoovers hatchery. Says so on the TSC website when I use my stores location. Your TSC may use a different hatchery. GC