Tractor Supply Dominique’s? Nope!

[thefadedstitch]

I always recommend having a rooster if one can. They are great for the flock in so many ways, watchers, protectors, food finders, lovers, etc.

I once saw a rooster fight off a fox, mind you it was a big rooster and a small fox, but still.

The Dominique’s my friend has are mostly hatchery and aren’t great quality. Their combs are all wonky. But otherwise they are great gals. Plus, the barred rock I had as a child was wonderful.

If you’re ever in need of sourcing chicks or eggs let me know. I know many people all over the U.S. with many different breeds. Except don’t get anything from California for now, too dangerous.

I'm looking for Isbar chicks.

 

[BullChick]

I don’t know that TSC has ever labeled a bird correctly.

 

[Steven Bussell]

We live in An extremely rural Northern California. Getting chicks by mail usually means a hatchery back East, and 4-5 days of travel time, and the survivability of chicks aren’t that great. I thought picking up some would lead to better survival rates. It did, but I sure didn’t get what I ordered, and I was wondering if that is common for tractor supply?

Look into California Hatchery. I ordered a Easter eggs package of chick's and 3 ducklings. Unfortunately they choose what chicks you get when you buy this package. I believe all birds are hen's.

 

[Jealous Gypsy]

We live in An extremely rural Northern California. Getting chicks by mail usually means a hatchery back East, and 4-5 days of travel time, and the survivability of chicks aren’t that great. I thought picking up some would lead to better survival rates. It did, but I sure didn’t get what I ordered, and I was wondering if that is common for tractor supply?

Yes.. I hate tsc. Not trying to be dramatic they sold me chicks that had bumble foot so bad at only a week old well lets just say they felt bad and offered to replace my flock, s the ones i had were too young to have been so sick. Corporate apologized and ordered new chicks than the manager accidentally opened the box meant for us and took out half our chicks and sold them. And lied to us and told us that was all that was sent and that he had no idea about turkeys (5 turkeys were sent from hoover as well) . We spoke with the district manager who did offer more replacements at a certain point your just done. I asked if the manager 2ould still be employed there after this incident and was told i was being inappropriate to inquire suxh, it was a mix up. Sorry i havent told anyone this before on this forum but im so tired of TSC messing up i had to get it off my chest

That being said would you like me to give you the corperate number for the head of customer relations?

 

[Steven Bussell]

Yes.. I hate tsc. Not trying to be dramatic they sold me chicks that had bumble foot so bad at only a week old well lets just say they felt bad and offered to replace my flock, s the ones i had were too young to have been so sick. Corporate apologized and ordered new chicks than the manager accidentally opened the box meant for us and took out half our chicks and sold them. And lied to us and told us that was all that was sent and that he had no idea about turkeys (5 turkeys were sent from hoover as well) . We spoke with the district manager who did offer more replacements at a certain point your just done. I asked if the manager 2ould still be employed there after this incident and was told i was being inappropriate to inquire suxh, it was a mix up. Sorry i havent told anyone this before on this forum but im so tired of TSC messing up i had to get it off my chest

That being said would you like me to give you the corperate number for the head of customer relations?

I think people use TS because they are much cheaper. I paid $120 just in shipping cost. That's a lot of birds from TS.
Plus they didn't have Cayuga's ducklings.

 

[Jealous Gypsy]

Thats a big order to mess up. I found a hatchery with good prices, but i just ordered ill let you know how i make out with them once chicks are in.

I think people use TS because they are much cheaper. I paid $120 just in shipping cost. That's a lot of birds from TS.
Plus they didn't have Cayuga's ducklings.

 

[Chickassan]

Really if OP is trying to preserve a breed hatchery chicks from anywhere are going to be a crap shoot.
Every single place is going to have a new batch and completely different set of faults they don't see any reason to breed out.
Just looking at a breed as cut and dried as a dominique you can see so many oopsies in hatchery birds you wouldn't want to pass on it isn't even funny.
A good established breeder is always better or sandhill preservation society. It costs more but if you're going for true represntations of a breed it is worth it.

 

[amazondoc2]

Yeah, TSCs really vary a lot. Mine takes good care of their chicks, fortunately -- but they are completely clueless about the breeds, unfortunately. I have found them with breed labels completely backward -- Breed A in Breed B's bin, with Breed B in Breed A's bin, and so on. You really have to know what each breed of chick looks like, and then trust your eye rather than their labels.

But as for private breeders -- I've gotten very leary over the years. When I was buying live birds from private breeders I had a LOT of disease problems -- it's impossible to have good biosecurity when you're bringing in birds from all sorts of different farms. So these days I only get live birds from commercial hatcheries. If I want well-bred birds from private breeders, then I stick with hatching eggs. Since I've done that, I have no diseases at all.