Troubles at our Tractor Supply Company!

[rancher hicks]

Does anyone think that volunteering to care for chicks that are brought into the store til they are sold would help? Or perhaps being put on a a call list to take chicks that are not doing well. Certainly the address for the head honcho can be found on the net and then they can be written to w/ an offer of assistance, during chicks month. Or just talk to the manager. You could take a copy of the article from the net and show it to the manager and ask to help.

Unless you feel it would be more helpful to boycott TSC. I have a Country Supply down the road from TSC. You could boycott the store unless they let you help secure the welfare of these chicks. You could contact your local animal control w/ the article in hand and ask them to keep an eye out for this type of animal abuse.

 

[ellieroo]

Rancher hicks , you have a good idea how about 4H project or scout troops as helpers ?

 

[lizzy06019]

This makes me sick to my stomach. Shame on them for treating animals without respect

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
That's a good idea too. Scouts could earn their badge that way. I may talk to the scouts at church.

 

[Kelly G]

I have a friend who works at this TSC & I left her a message offering to take weak chicks. She closes tonight - so we'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted.

Now, I wan t to say that I really do love TSC. I get a lot of things that I need from them and they are very convenient for me. Many of the sales people at this location are helpful, even if they are frequently not knowledgeable.

My problem is throwing away a live animal. Even if you know it's not going to survive - there are humane alternatives to suffocation or hypothermia (it was 44 this morning).

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

The change has to happen from within TSC. I do think it is a good idea to offer help/suggestions. I'm just not sure how it will be viewed or if it would be accepted/allowed. Maybe it would. I doubt with the negative PR they are going to get over this - that anything like this will happen again. I would love to know who tossed the live babies out with dead ones and WHY?! But chances are we never will.

The reason they sell the chicks and ducklings in the first place is to drive feed and poultry equipment sales - just like all farm stores do. People get caught up in the moment, they want to ensure that those 3-5 little babies, they pick out, are going to get what they need, etc. and spend a ton of money on impulse. I'm not against it...I'm just telling it like it is. In my heart of hearts, I believe most stores must do a better job than this particular store did/does.

The over crowding thing...I think is a store managers fault. They may not want to use additional tanks, equipment - whatever. That is where communication and training come in. Some of these store managers are now a generation, or more, away from farming. They don't know any better. Believe me, it's not something that's taught during business courses in school these days.

Changing the way things are handled - long term - can only come from the home office in TN - believe me. Call or write. If you want them to continue to sell the chicks and ducklings tell them so. Just demand better planning and procedures. Don't waste your time with lower management - go straight to the top.

 

[ellieroo]

jojo, good post and yes that is what I meant by 'lost leader" much is spent as we all know buying chicken stuff. But if we write and ask TSC to change how the chicks are ordred/handled and perhaps get outside help Scouts, 4H, Sr citizen groups ??? They might see that as much needed good pr. I helped two yrs in a row at our farm store ( not TSC )because they were over whelmed with people and chicks.

 

[Kelly G]

I agree. I do not think they will be sending any chicks home for me to nurse back to health...but thought I'd try.

I also agree that writing TN will be most likely to accomplish something...but I don't have really high hopes.

 

[Gonzo]

AWEFUL!

Just AWEFUL!

 

[RAWR]

ok, saying im mad, dont get the point across
when i saw that, i got mad...so mad that now im crying and i just wanna vomit
thats just disgusting...how could you do that to anything..live or dead
i know where i will NEVER take my buisness...ever
i...im so infuriated that i could break something
...................
thank you for sharing this