What do you think of Tractor Supply’s new chick bins?

[Sally PB]

Does your TS get them from just one hatchery?

I asked, and the guy said they get them from Townline in Zeeland, MI, which is probably close enough they truck them in (?). This TSC is in Lowell, MI, about an hour away from the hatchery.

I looked at Townline's website and there is a "Current Availability" tab, so you can see what they have. They guy said they couldn't take my name and call me when they get Blue Australorps, or they'd be doing that for 500 people. I understand. He said I could call them on days they get chicks to ask if they're in.

I hope it's not for about 6 weeks, unless I have a broody before then.

 

[RoseHawke]

A very long time ago, I recall seeing something of the sort available and marketed as a "broiler brooder" or something of the sort. There were two sections on the bottom very similar to this, then a section on the top that was taller with no, or minimal heat. When I say a "very long time ago" I'm talking on the order of 40-50 years or more. They were used at the feed store we used then (long since gone) for the chicks they carried in the spring.

 

[Finnie]

A very long time ago, I recall seeing something of the sort available and marketed as a "broiler brooder" or something of the sort. There were two sections on the bottom very similar to this, then a section on the top that was taller with no, or minimal heat. When I say a "very long time ago" I'm talking on the order of 40-50 years or more. They were used at the feed store we used then (long since gone) for the chicks they carried in the spring.

I have seen really old ones on Craigslist that seemed like they were 40-50 years old. Maybe it was more common back then.

 

[sourland]

That’s a good point. I know a lot of times chicks linger there for 3 or 4 weeks. They might get too tall. Especially the ducklings and cornish crosses. They might have to pull the old troughs out after all.

Not here. They are frequently all sold on the day they arrive at the store.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

That’s a good point. I know a lot of times chicks linger there for 3 or 4 weeks. They might get too tall. Especially the ducklings and cornish crosses. They might have to pull the old troughs out after all.

Do they also sell goslings and turkey poults there?

 

[NatJ]

want to know where I can get them too

They're sometimes called a "battery brooder." I've seen them for sale at several places.

https://www.strombergschickens.com/product/five-deck-battery-brooder
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/poultry_brooder.html
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/0540-deck-game-bird-poultry-battery-brooder.html

They are not cheap, but they are very efficient in terms of how many chicks in how many square feet of floor, because of being stacked up. And with the feed and water outside, they aren't taking space away from the chicks, and are easy to tend.

A very long time ago, I recall seeing something of the sort available and marketed as a "broiler brooder" or something of the sort. There were two sections on the bottom very similar to this, then a section on the top that was taller with no, or minimal heat. When I say a "very long time ago" I'm talking on the order of 40-50 years or more. They were used at the feed store we used then (long since gone) for the chicks they carried in the spring.

Several places have something similar to what you describe. It was in the catalogs about 25 years ago when I first started looking at such things, but I don't know how many years it existed before that.

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/start_and_grow_unit.html
https://www.strombergschickens.com/product/start-grow-cage-unit
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/0703-poultry-brooder-and-grow-off-pens-set.html

It's got one heated brooder on the top, and the lower two levels are taller pens with no heat. They say the top level can hold 48 chicks up to 4 weeks of age, and then the chicks can be split into the two lower pens.

I've never been quite sure if it was for raising meat birds (butcher at 8 weeks), or for starting layer chicks (move to other housing around 8 weeks.)

(Yes, some of the pages I listed have the items sold out: but the product pictures are still there to look at, and anyone who really wants to buy one can watch for it to come back in stock.)

 

[RoseHawke]

They're sometimes called a "battery brooder." I've seen them for sale at several places.

https://www.strombergschickens.com/product/five-deck-battery-brooder
https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/poultry_brooder.html
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/0540-deck-game-bird-poultry-battery-brooder.html

They are not cheap, but they are very efficient in terms of how many chicks in how many square feet of floor, because of being stacked up. And with the feed and water outside, they aren't taking space away from the chicks, and are easy to tend.



Several places have something similar to what you describe. It was in the catalogs about 25 years ago when I first started looking at such things, but I don't know how many years it existed before that.

https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/start_and_grow_unit.html
https://www.strombergschickens.com/product/start-grow-cage-unit
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/0703-poultry-brooder-and-grow-off-pens-set.html

It's got one heated brooder on the top, and the lower two levels are taller pens with no heat. They say the top level can hold 48 chicks up to 4 weeks of age, and then the chicks can be split into the two lower pens.

I've never been quite sure if it was for raising meat birds (butcher at 8 weeks), or for starting layer chicks (move to other housing around 8 weeks.)

(Yes, some of the pages I listed have the items sold out: but the product pictures are still there to look at, and anyone who really wants to buy one can watch for it to come back in stock.)

That's it. And I had it reversed - two taller sections then the smaller one for the young chicks which makes sense to grow them out.

 

[RaineyTN]

I wonder what they’ll do with them after chick seasons over? I may have to do a little negotiating

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I wonder what they’ll do with them after chick seasons over? I may have to do a little negotiating

Probably tear them down and put them in the back like they do with troughs.

I'll have to go soon and try to find out how to get one for myself since I just can't find them online in the store

 

[tigger19687]

Dodge Grain in NH has a brooder thingy like that but all metal. It has been like that for at LEAST 20 years.
If they just came they are just upset, they will settle down.
At DG they don't usually last long before they are sold and they ALL look just perfectly fine when there once they get used to it. They scoot around, eat/drink (no junk if it) and seem to have a grand old time..........When chicks come in I go up there all the time to look at them
Ducks are kept in a cage that is about a foot tall inside.

All, at least at DG, are CLEAN and non-smelly