I personally don't like getting them from the hardware stores,
TSC or other feed stores for several reasons.
1. The chicks are going to go thru 2 periods of traveling stress - once from the hatchery to the store, then again from the store to your home (vs. going directly from the hatchery to your home).
2. I've seen many places selling chicks over the years and overall the employees don't know squat about caring for the poultry. Improper care, improper handling. So that's another stress on their young lives.
3. I can't tell you how many times I stood and watched at the chick bins in Atwoods (our version of
TSC). Customers pick a chick up (even with all the signs saying not to), play with it for a bit and then dump it into the closest bin. So, a chick that was in the "straight run/unsexed bin" is now in the "pullets only" bin.
I could go on and on.
I got my first two flocks from Ideal Hatchery with the idea that I would have broodies to hatch my own and thereby keep a closed flock. My first flock of brahmas don't want anything to do with parenthood, but my second flock is making up for it. From now on the only chicks I will have are ones hatched by my broodies or incubator.
Just MHO.
