TSC Chicks

[townchicks]

It looks like chicks sell out VERY fast, go early and get in line. Be aware that TSC is notorious for mixing up breeds and sexed with non sexed (straight run) chicks. Even with sexed chicks, there is only 80 to 90% accuracy. Bantam chicks are not sexed, it' s just too hard. Good for you for getting ready ahead of time! Good luck, and have fun on your chicken journey.

 

[paddock36]

Does anyone have advice on picking/raising chicks from TSC? I am going tomorrow morning in hopes of buying my first-ever chicks. I have a lot of the supplies already (heating plate, chick food, chick grit, a large plastic container, to name a few), but know I probably need other things, too. I live on a double lot in a very small village that allows hens, but no roosters. Does TSC sex the chicks for you? Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated. I have so many questions but will leave it here for now.

In my area TSC gets their chicks from Hoover Hatchery. You might check your store to see where they get them from to know the breeds they may have. Also if it says St. Run that means they are not sexed when they get them and some of their employees are not knowledgeable to know that.

 

[Iluveggers]

Oh! In the bottom of your brooder/bin, you’ll want to put something down to keep the chicks from slipping. I start mine on puppy pads for a few days (so I can monitor their poop), and then switch to pine shavings (once they know what their food looks like and won’t try to eat the shavings! )

Good luck!

 

[Dee-Dee]

@Dee-Dee, where are you located? Just the state is fine. That will give us an idea of your climate, which is really important. What works for me in Michigan is totally different than someone in Maine or Florida.

I got my Black Australorp at TSC 5 years ago. They are very nice, quiet birds. They're past their prime laying season, but they still lay a couple eggs a week.

Oh, and

Sally PB,

Thanks for all of the good info! I'm in Ohio. I'm guessing I need chickens that can stand the cold and also the warm summers. I'm still researching good breeds for that. Any advice/breed info is WELCOME.

 

[Dee-Dee]

In my area TSC gets their chicks from Hoover Hatchery. You might check your store to see where they get them from to know the breeds they may have. Also if it says St. Run that means they are not sexed when they get them and some of their employees are not knowledgeable to know that.

Thank you for the info! Very helpful!!!

 

[Dee-Dee]

Oh! In the bottom of your brooder/bin, you’ll want to put something down to keep the chicks from slipping. I start mine on puppy pads for a few days (so I can monitor their poop), and then switch to pine shavings (once they know what their food looks like and won’t try to eat the shavings! )

Good luck!

Thanks for all the helpful info! All good to know!

 

[Dee-Dee]

You must be pretty close to a hatchery then, to get them within a day of shipping, that's great.
Pick any birds you like.

I am clueless about if there is a hatchery nearby....not that I know of? So, I am a bit worried that the store told me some wrong info. But I'll go tomorrow and see what they have, if any, and let everyone know what I find out.

 

[townchicks]

Oh, please do let us know. Pictures are required! Well just kidding, but we LOVE them here.

 

[Dee-Dee]

It looks like chicks sell out VERY fast, go early and get in line. Be aware that TSC is notorious for mixing up breeds and sexed with non sexed (straight run) chicks. Even with sexed chicks, there is only 80 to 90% accuracy. Bantam chicks are not sexed, it' s just too hard. Good for you for getting ready ahead of time! Good luck, and have fun on your chicken journey.

All good info to know! Thanks for your response.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You'll have to assume bins are labeled correctly, but one thing I try to do (might be hard this year because chicks are selling out fast) is I look up the breeds available and double check what the chicks should look like vs what is in the bins. That should at least help you with getting what you *think* you're getting (though I've had my share of oops as far as breeds).

Otherwise as a general rule the chick breeds available should be suitable for your area, so get what you like. Look for bright eyed, somewhat active birds - if an employee grabs a bird that just doesn't seem right to you for any reason, ask them to get a different one. To try and avoid males I always specify to the employees to not grab overly friendly or curious chicks or chicks that stand upright... it's not a guarantee but males are more likely to fit those descriptions.