Tractor supply chick disclaimer

[Sparrowsong98]

So, we were at the tractor supply for some wire and ended up coming home with 6 little chicks. They were two cuckoo marans, and 4 silver laced wyandottes, or so we were told. The more I looked at those 4 little "Wyandottes" the more I was convinced that I was not the owner of any Wyandottes. In fact, they reminded my a little of a weak chick that we had had two years ago. He was a gold laced polish. These ones looked just like him, but silvery grey. So, I looked up Silver laced polish, and came up with chicks looking just like mine. So, when buying from TS, check your chicks before purchase, to make sure you are not getting something other than what they told you they were.

 

[Jimmy Whip]

I bought 51 chicks from TSC. A good portion of the chicks are not what they said they were. I believe they mix them in the tubs to cut costs. I find it fun to see what I actually bought.

 

[TattooedChicks]

Oops, never had that problem fishing out of the bantam bin since nobody has any clue what they might be, but thats definitely not very nice to feel mislead.

I wouldn't trust most of those retail employees further than I could throw them, and that's coming from a manager of a retail store. They aren't trained to know more than the basics, unless they already have the knowledge from elsewhere.

Hope your little 'surprises' turn out nice.

 

[debid]

So, we were at the tractor supply for some wire and ended up coming home with 6 little chicks. They were two cuckoo marans, and 4 silver laced wyandottes, or so we were told. The more I looked at those 4 little "Wyandottes" the more I was convinced that I was not the owner of any Wyandottes. In fact, they reminded my a little of a weak chick that we had had two years ago. He was a gold laced polish. These ones looked just like him, but silvery grey. So, I looked up Silver laced polish, and came up with chicks looking just like mine. So, when buying from TS, check your chicks before purchase, to make sure you are not getting something other than what they told you they were.

The head poof on a Polish should be visible even in chick down.

 

[amanda1]

My problem with TSC is every time I go in there, the chicks have no water! When I say something to the employees, I'm met with blank stares. They should not be allowed to sell live animals if they can't properly care for them!

 

[debid]

I bought 51 chicks from TSC. A good portion of the chicks are not what they said they were. I believe they mix them in the tubs to cut costs. I find it fun to see what I actually bought.

They combine bins routinely so they don't have to tend as many feeders/waterers. In theory, the sign moves with the chicks and they only put obviously different looking chicks together. So, let's say Jimmy puts the leftover straight run Asian Black chicks in with the red sexlinks. Jimmy then gets distracted by a call to another area. The bin now sits with two different kinds in it but one sign saying layer pullets. Customer comes in and buys some of each kind of "layer pullets" from Sally. Customer finds out months later that half of the black layer pullets are cockerels and is furious. Happens ALL THE TIME.

 

[Chickassan]

You buy out of the TSC bin you take your chances lol! This year I couldn't even get close to the bin let alone buy anything out of it, people treat it like a dang petting zoo. The one time I did get to glance the sign on the tub said faverolles and they obviously and I mean very obviously were not. People still buying them though without a second thought.

 

[Peep boy]

I unfortunately have a similar condition. Not too many chickens in the coop, so I brought 6 chicks home. I purchased what was supposed to be straight run Barred rocks and speckled Sussex. I tried to cheat the system and pick some of the rocks with the darkest colors and less white on head, but to no avail, all four of my rocks are little Roos. My two speckled Sussex are hens. Funny that it is considered straight run when all of the rocks are Roos and all of the hens are SS.

 

[varidgerunner]

There is no reasonable expectation to get chickens from tractor supply that are what they were advertised as. Nobody at that place cares. The chicks are a gimmick, designed to sell feed and chicken raising equipment. They could give them away and still make money. There is no incentive for anyone that works there to concern themselves with which chick is which, whether they have water, or if you will be stuck with a bunch of roosters in a place not zoned for such.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Honestly... that is important to do anywhere you get them.... educate yourself about the breeds you want and be an informed consumer. Think how many times folks not shopping at tsc have posted and been told they don't have the breed(s) they thought they got or were sold obvious cockerels as pullets.