Harmoni
Songster
These are all very unsettling stories. I wish I had something more constructive to say but honestly, I can't say I'm really shocked.
What does genuinely surprise me is that so many people get their chicks from Tractor Supply. I admit I've been tempted to "rescue" any animals I see at a retail outlet. But having worked in a pet store when I was younger, and with what I know about how animals tend to be handled in the retail industry, I would never get my chickens there. I mean maybe if I was really desperate, but there are so many people on facebook and craigslist selling chickens and eggs, where you can actually visit the place where the birds are kept and talk to the owner/breeder and know the birds are coming from a comfortable environment and haven't recently been stressed or traumatized by a long transit or exposure to a stressful store environment...it just seems like a no-brainer.
If it's not to OT, I'm curious, for those of you who get your chicks from TCS or other retail outlets, what are you reasons for choosing that supplier? Is it a matter of not having other options? Do you like being able to pick them out in person? Are you looking for particular breeds that you can't find elsewhere? Is there some benefit I'm overlooking?
No other options. Breeds for sale in my area are restricted. I was able to get some golden comets off craigslist. All the other breeds are either not currently available, straight run or over an hour away. Tsc is 2 miles away.
4 of our 8 came from private sellers.