Tractor supply or hatchery?

[WI chickens]

I've purchased quite a few chicks from Tractor Supply and have always had good luck with them. I did get a rooster along along with the 5 EE chicks I bought this time, but I don't really care. All the chicks I got from tsc have been the right breed and healthy, long-lived birds.

 

[McChooky]

I bought 6 chicks from Rural King in October and they're very healthy and active. I've never bought any from Tractor Supply but I've bought direct from Hatcheries .I can't tell any difference except these were bigger.They were already a week old .

 

[Aunt Angus]

This might have been stated previously, but TSC birds are from Hoovers, so they are hatchery birds. I prefer them because I cannot stand opening boxes of dead chicks. When I get them from TSC, they've made it past the shipping danger.

 

[McChooky]

This might have been stated previously, but TSC birds are from Hoovers, so they are hatchery birds. I prefer them because I cannot stand opening boxes of dead chicks. When I get them from TSC, they've made it past the shipping danger.

The fact that they've survived shipping makes them less of a gamble for sure! I like being able to pick out my own chicks from the bins!

 

[gimmie birdies]

First thing they do a feed store when they get the chicks in the mail is put them on wood chips before they learn to eat regular food. I see the chicks eat it, and baby ducks.

 

[Aunt Angus]

First thing they do a feed store when they get the chicks in the mail is put them on wood chips before they learn to eat regular food. I see the chicks eat it, and baby ducks.

I put my day-olds on wood chips. Never had a problem. They usually figure out really quick that it isn't food. I've not once lost a feed store chick. All of my feed store chicks are alive and well.

 

[JedJackson]

We don't have TSCs here, as far as I know, but I've bought chicks from feed stores many a time and never had problems. Buying from hatcheries is more of a gamble but worth it if you want specific breeds.

 

[Aunt Angus]

We don't have TSCs here, as far as I know, but I've bought chicks from feed stores many a time and never had problems. Buying from hatcheries is more of a gamble but worth it if you want specific breeds.

Exactly.

 

[nuthatched]

I order large fowl from hatcheries since I want to know what I'm getting and I like getting good stuff in the mail.
I'd get bantams from the feed store since the minimum order on them from hatcheries is usually 20 or so and I don't need 20 or so.
This year, I wanted bantams and the feed store packed up chick days in June and didn't get any chicks until September, and of course they were bantams. I almost bought some but I was busy with integration with two batches already. Maybe next year.

 

[WallyG74]

The minimum you can buy (according to their signs ) is 6. I don't know if anyone has had any luck buying fewer then that.

I bought 4 one time.