Thinking about getting my chicks from TS. anyone got chicks from them? The local store said that their chicks will be here in about 2 weeks. coop is almost done. going to get them as soon as they get here, usless y'all have a problem with TS chicks.
I personally have never had any problem with the chicks I got from Tractor Supply. Well, actually, going into the store without leaving with more than I intended to buy has been MY problem. But seriously, all the birds I bought from them have been healthy. I would recommend their Rhode Island Reds or Sexlinks. They are good layers, and pretty friendly. Good luck, and have fun!
TS chicks are simply hatchery chicks that they have ordered. Here, they are from Ideal, I guess because it is the closest. The only problem with TSC is, people handle them and put them back in the wrong bins all the time, especially the kids. Your best choice will be when they first arrive.
It is difficult to speak about the quality of the birds because TSC is corporate and I question whether all their chicks come from the same hatchery. The local store doesn't do the ordering, as I understand it. The boxes come mixed up, the employees don't know which breeds are what, the customers mix them up in the bins, they get a bit stressed from all the action, and finally, children are not supposed to handle them, but do. I have bought chicks from a similar type feed store. They were fair to midland hatchery chicks. The prices are marked up from hatchery prices, but you do save shipping and you can buy as few as 6 chicks. Since the electric costs is the same for brooding 6 or 26, I typically order a 25 box from Townline or Meyer and split the order with someone locally.
I've had no problems with TSC either. I got my first chicks from them. All the pullets turned out to be pullets. And very healthy.
My local TSC got them from Mt. Healthy last year. I was there yesterday and didn't see any sign of when/if they might get them this year. They got them in mid March last year and had a very limited variety. I think they had red sex links, meaties, "bantams" which looked like all white silkies, and assorted ducklings.
I've never bought my chicks from TSC, but I always look when they have them in. My TSC does a great job looking after them/food/clean bedding/water. I would think they would be just as healthy as if I'd raised them myself.
Our chicks will be in about the next week or the following week...dependent on store. The chicks come from Privett, Mt.Healthy, and Ideal. We simply get orders that corporate has placed...pick them up just like Id do for myself at the Post Office and then bring them to the store and sell to public. We are just selling chicks and ducklings from the 3 hatcheries above. And like others have said your best bet is to get to the store early in the day...and pick the chicks you want before they get picked over and possibly moved by kids.
