RANT: Tractor Supply won't sell less than six chicks!!!

[Deviant]

wouldn't let me touch them to look at them.

I think it is because some people don't know how to act I was ins Southern States the other day just looking around. This woman comes in with a little girl and runs up to the tub that they was in and all the chicks take off running (in the tub), and she grabs one up and their little wings was just going. So me being the "sweet" person I am I said " Dumb BEEP" and I walked out the store before she could grab one more up. It is people like that is why we can't touch them. BUT some of the places like Reyvaughn said they will let you. I got mine at TSC and I picked mine up.

 

[chefchick]

My TSC has the chicks behind a fence, with bales of pine bedding to block little guys from beaking in (or so I assume). I was looking for some EE's and ducklings the other day, but they didn't have any but being the chick lover that I am, I did stand and watch the meaties and "red pullets" for a few minutes. A little girl came over to the fence and a worker did let her hold one for a few minutes. Told her how to hold it, and told her a little bit about chickens, too. then he very gently told her it was time for the chick to go back with her friends. Then he gave the little girl a squirt of purell and told her to rub her hands real good and not to put them in her mouth. So, they aren't all jerks! but there is a sign - 6 chick minimum by law...and the ducks could be migratory breeds, lol.

 

[AmyLM]

1) TSC is following STATE law. Don't like it, don't go there and then complain here. Sorry, but I don't like hearing the same complaint about TSC.
2) You can't touch the chicks because of other store goers ruining it for us all. They handled the chicks and didn't wash their hands afterwards and got salmonella. Again, if you don't like the rules, don't go there.

Thankfully I have been in TSC enough to know most of the staff. The manager lets me touch the chicks - minimally - and lets me pick the ones I want. I know when what chicks are coming in - only surprise is the exact breeds (they don't know until they are delivered).

Really, there are other ways to get what you want. Hatch your own eggs, buy older chicks locally from a farmer, order from a hatchery that ships only 3 chicks. There is no reasoning behind complaining about rules that are set for a reason and bad mouthing a company that doesn't deserve it.

frankly the fact that so many TS stores seem to have very minimally trained staff says a lot. Like many people I am only sharing my own experiences with the store. I don't think there is anything wrong with sharing what we have seen for ourselves. I asked an employee what breeds they had she said "they are bantams" I said what kind of bantams... and she goes "they are bantams..." then looked at me like "dahhh" I'm sorry... but the TS employees that I personally have encountered don't seem to know much about what they are selling. And as far as state law goes... they don't seem to go by that either. Some people have been sold single birds, I was told 8 bird min and my friend (in the same state) was told 10 and I have since been told that it is actually 6 apparently. I think this goes back into the issue that the employees are not well trained. If you don't like reading people sharing their experiences... then don't read it! But that doesn't change the fact that not everyone has the best experiences there. I KNOW I didn't! I will never shop there again after the rude way I was treated!

 

[Coop de la Ville]

I'm in Virginia and the same thing has happened to me. I came across some buff brahmas at my local 360 Hardware store and they wouldn't sell less than 6 to me. I already have a flock of 8 I've had for 2 yearsnow but I'm desperately looking for 2 buff brahmas (pullets). All of my local stores, Southern States, Tractor Supply won't sell less than 6. I have chicks for pets, not dinner. Our coop is a good size for adding 2 more but I can't do 6. We don't really have the funds to extend the coop or run right now. Does anyone know how I can get just 2 buff brahmas?

 

[EweSheep]

Went to TSC today, and minimum of six chicks. Strange to see a sign that says chicks are for agricultural use. Yeah, right! And you are selling Cornish Rock x's and selling them in the middle of the city!

 

[PattyO]

I dont think this is novel to TSC. I got my girls at Southern States and she told me it was a six chick minimum for tracking purposes like if there was some kind of disease outbreak.

 

[Deviant]

also the six chick minimum will stop most people from buying their kids one for Easter and then they have no clue what to do with it when it gets big. I should tell them to let it run loss in the house LOL

 

[NYREDS]

In New York the 6 chick minimum is state law & it has to do with the buy a "cute" chick for Easter & not care fore it properly thing.

 

[1Chick Magnet]

every state has a law for how many chicks you need to buy. call your state department of agriculture and ask for the minimum in your state. that being said, any business can make their own rules as long as they don't break the department of agriculture rules (which many stores do because of lack of knowledge)

I live in NH and the state has a 12 chick minimum on day olds. at 4 weeks of age chicks can be sold individually. my hubby runs chicken swaps mostly at tsc stores all over this state. people come to the swaps to buy small quantities of chickens that are 4 weeks old.

the rules are for the safety of the chicks.

last year tsc had problems with people harming chicks. corrals were put up all over the united states. chicks are not toys to be handled by children and dropped into tubs from 2 or 3 feet in the air!! the corrals were put up to protect the chicks. many employees do not have chicken knowledge. many times you have more knowledge than the employees you are buying from. tsc does their best but they get barked at alot.

we tell people who buy 12 to come to a swap and sell the extras or to buy 4 week olds from us.

my hubby has been working with the nh department of agriculture to change our minimum to 6 chicks. after 2 years it just got passed through legislature. it is now on its way to senate. then it has to go to the govenor for his approval. it takes alot to change a rule.

 

[GableBabble]

You can buy one or two chicks from TSC, IF they have large older chicks left over. I just found this out Friday. I was in there for shavings and once again got bitten by the chick bug. While I was looking around there were three older white chicks, I think they were Cornish. I commented on how they actually ended up with left overs this year and she said they were 1.00 a piece would be lowered to .50 later and I could just get those without a minimum.
I actually think the 6 chick minimum is a good thing. Alot of people see them and get all doe eye'd over them, but then freak out when there is a crowing Rooster running around and they have no clue what to do with it. Also, why would I expect TSC to sale one or two chicks or Ducks to people who will be using them as basket stuffers, when I myself won't do it.