TSC is giving me a headache!

[chkva]

I bought these chicks on March 15th at TSC and they basically had no idea what I was buying. I told them regardless of what they were that I wanted to get chicks for my family so that we could do something fun together and hopefully get eggs. They told me that all these chicks were layers, but I heard that TSC has been known to mess up A LOT. Below are the pictures of a few of the chicks that we got. I never knew that there were so many breeds that they "could" be, but it should be fun to hear what everyone has to say on the breeds. So far I have heard New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Easter Eggers, and Production Reds. Any thoughts? Thank you everyone ahead of time for your help

 

[Tanichca]

Not sure entirely. But it looks a lot like my New Hampshire red babies did. Post new pictures in a few weeks when they're fully feathered!

 

[chkva]

I will post some when they are bigger. I never knew how hard it was to know what breed a chicken was until I got 6 of my own. Either way I love them and they are a great addition to my home. Their cheep cheeps make the house sound like it's home. I never knew that I would even want chickens until a few friends of mine started to get some and started to tell me how much they help their families. They make great garden fertilizer and eggs. I know they make great meat too, but I do not think I would ever use them for that reason unless a disaster struck and I had no other options.

 

[Wyandottes7]

They look like Production Reds to me.

 

[chkva]

Maybe this is why TSC had such a problem LOL. I never knew it was this hard to know what breed of chicken you have, but there are so many out there it is amazing. I learned my lesson about buying from TSC though. From now on I will only buy from breeders that are local, no more of this not knowing because the suspense is killing me.

 

[BantamLover21]

They look like Production Reds to me.

x2

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Maybe this is why TSC had such a problem LOL. I never knew it was this hard to know what breed of chicken you have, but there are so many out there it is amazing. I learned my lesson about buying from TSC though. From now on I will only buy from breeders that are local, no more of this not knowing because the suspense is killing me.

The issue is that TSC has gone to "red pullets" "brown egg assortment" etc type purchases and mixed brooders full of chicks - many of the red breeds look very similar as fuzz-butt chicks (the different breeds start to look like what they are as they feather in). You can purchase specific breeds from other retail outlets, online hatcheries, etc - not just from local breeders. From the TSC perspective it is easier as they can brood everyone together vs. separate brooders for each breed and they often get the chicks at discounted prices by order the mixed lots from the hatcheries they source their stock from.
Once you get some experience with chickens under your belt you will start to be able to pick out the different breeds by looking at them - this is where it can be an advantage to go through TSC as you can pick out the gems in the brooder by seeing those breeds others may not realize are there.

 

[chkva]

Thank you for your help! The guy at the store said "Our manager opened all the boxes and mixed them all, when we are supposed to sort out the boxes and put them in the metal brooders", I felt bad for the guy because he was getting tons of grief from other chicken people. I told him "Pick out the ones you think are best" and that is what he did. Then other people who were complaining decided they would do what I did and have him choose. I just feel as though they should know what they have or take more caution. I am sure not all TSC's are this way and they take more care when they open their boxes of chicks. I told him we would come back and tell him what they are when we actually figure it out.

 

[choochnchunk]

I agree. One think I noticed about the TSC around the corner is that they now offer a "TSC special " basically they mixed a few different breeds together and say here ya go! So you really don't know untill they feather out. I haven't gotten any chicks from them so far, I picked up 2 Cornish rock stright runs from a local farm, but the TSC down the street is bringing in a few breeds so I might just have to go take a look

 

[chkva]

They have a few more I want too, but they will make me buy 6 more. I think a breeder is in the near future for me since I want 2 polish frizzle not 6. I heard if you go to the store you bought at they won't make you buy 6 more, but I somehow feel TSC will get me again lol and I'll get suckered in.