Tractor Supply Employee Knowledge About Chicks

[Kiwibird]

You can't buy poultry in a shop here, except very rarely, in some pet stores. So keep telling me funny stories, but don't complain, things could be worse!

 

[beckymom3]

I stopped taking TSC seriously years ago (for my other animals) as they are not a specialty shop. They are a general store for farm and ranch, but only superficially so. I find our local feed stores to be much more knowledgeable, but then only in terms of their personal experiences. The inconsistency of supplies (even waterers and feeders), the disarray (incubators in the feed section, brood lamps somewhere else) and the lack of knowledge across the board (even when buying a trailer hitch) over the years I've learned not to rely on TSC for information. BUT, like many chain stores, the employees are there to move merchandise, not educate the public or be a resource of any sort.

So, don't be too hard on them. For real info, use local experts, BYC, or quality hatcheries. Lucky you that lives near McMurray!

In the Austin area, we have Callahan's, but again I'm not that impressed with the depth of knowledge. A chain is a chain is a chain. Give me mom and pop any day!

I do find, like one of you mentioned, that even oldtimers have imprecise information--even regarding their own animals. I bought chicks from a man who incubates hatchery eggs and sells the chicks for a small profit (hatching hundreds at a time). He had only vague knowledge of what the breeds were. He has a couple of breeds he loves and raises on his own (silkies and seramas), and knows esp Seramas and quail amazingly well, but other than that he's clueless. Kind, well meaning, loving of his animals, but not perfect. He buys up day old bread products, tortillas, etc and that's his main feed for the birds. An oldtimer's way, but not something I'd do.

Fun thread, though, huh?

 

[ange]

I think TSC are not good, everytime I phone about when the chicks aree coming, same old story, yes they are, but do not know when or what or where, seems as if someone would know.

 

[jarcoo0153]

I go into the TSC reguarly, and there is only two women that know thier stuff. I also applied their, I really wanted to work there .I wasnt impressed when I met the manager, he just wasnt a smart person. Got the impression that he though he knew it all! He also wasnt willing to work with my college schedual.

The other day I went in TSC, and the sales clerk was picking the ducks and the chickens up by thier heads, and dropping them in the bin! Made me made!

I sometimes go into our local purina dealer, the staff is very helpful, and knowledgeable! Has the Mom and Pop feel and I think that they spend time educating the high schoolers that work there.
I would take a mom and pop store anyday!.

 

[thndrdancr]

This has to be a topper. Our chain feed store, Orschelns, advertised a "chick days" learning class, where you could "learn all about chickens, breeds, feed, etc."

They were giving away stuff and I thought about going, but didnt. Found out my neighbor friend did. She said they learned "straight run" means all one sex, for one thing.

I told her that isnt right, hon. Straight run means mixed sex. She told me, Nope they had made it VERY clear in the class, becuz she had asked several times just to make sure.

I am still not sure she believes me.


LOL

You would think if they were going to offer an EDUCATIONAL class, they would at least know what they were talking about. Goodness.

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

Quote:

 

[Hunny]

Quote:

Oh yes! I went to this class at our local Orschelns. It wasnt THAT bad. But she basically read off a pre-written paper. When I asked where the grit was (I needed some) they handed me Oyster Shell.

 

[KCNC06]

Quote:
This reminded me of an experience at the State Fair last fall. In the Poultry House where the chickens and guineas were, they also have a little "petting table" of chicks, ducklings and poults. Someone was looking at some chickens that were in cages along the wall, the sign on the cage said "???? (can't remember the breed) Pullets" The person asked the guy working at the "petting table" what pullets were....I guess I should mention that the people working at the petting table are students in the Ag program at the local University.....So the Ag student (had been in the Ag program for ?? years) says "Pullets are baby turkeys." I thought to myself "Okay, 'Poult' and 'Pullet' sound kind of similar when spoken with a country accent. But that person is clearly talking about that pullet in that cage over there and that is clearly a young chicken, not a turkey."

If Ag students can't get it right, we certainly can't expect feed store employees to be able to do it!!

 

[san415]

OK I really don't want to comment on this post, but I feel I must defend these people who are not here to do it for their self. Do people really think that a kid working stocking shelves and cleaning at a store should be fired due to not knowing every breed of chickens and all the information that you your self know? Really? Are you so sure that they are not doing the best they can? I go to a lot of stores where I assume I will know more about a product than the person who is working there. I don't expect the employee to be an expert unless I am at a professional business, such as a veterinary office or a doctors office.

One last note, prior to making fun of others look inward. The errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar here are numerous. If its worth typing and posting isn't it worth learning how to do it correctly? Should we not give everything 100% as some of the posters have pointed out? Or is knowledge only necessary for one aspect of our life? I am not perfect nor the smartest person I know, so I am thankful that I can post and not have to be held up to the standard or the ability of others.

Sandra

 

[ChickyLaura]

I guess the old saying "Buyer Beware" can apply here. I cringe when I hear someone at TSC say, "Oh those chicks are so cute! Maybe I'll buy ONE." I do have my BYC business cards in my purse this year, so I'm prepared. Plus you need to buy at least 6 chicks at TSC. I think it goes for anyone buying animals - you need to do your research before you obtain any animal. Common sense to me, but I guess a lot of people buy at this time of year on the "cute puppy in the window" syndrome and Easter.