Who else is getting chicks tomorrow at TSC??

[RedneckChikns]

A helpful hint to newbie chick buyers esp. during TSC chick days.

Your best luck will be with any breed that already has its wing feathers coming in...they are a little older, bigger and stronger. Avoid the fuzz balls as cute as they may be and if you must...pick the bigger active fuzz balls...you run the risk of loss with chicks that havent rested and settled down and had a chance to eat and grow. AVOID poopy butt bins. TSC is too STUPID to get them on quick chik or grow gel so wont hurt you to do that...or at least a little sugar water, when you get them home. Oh and put them in at least a COUPLE of the boxes..they have good coupons on them you can cut out and use later in the year.

Have FUN!

 

[mordarlar]

Mrs. Fluffy Puffy :

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Adorable babies!

I noticed you're using sand for bedding..does it work very well? I've wanted to try it, just never did.

I really like it. The first day, until i was certain they were eating and drinking properly, i covered the sand with paper towels. I have a cat scoop but it is too large for cleaning up all of their droppings but there is a fair amount of sand in the brooder so it hasn't been an issue with the smaller stuff. I read somewhere about using one of the dollar store metal strainers. They started scratching in the sand on day two...very very cute.

I really like the fact that the sand retains some heat. I have two lights which i've been alternating. Once the sand is well heated in one area, i turn off that light and start warming the other area. I also have an area which is never lit so they can cool off if they would like. So far so good. They're active, eating and drinking and seemingly very healthy.

 

[mordarlar]

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I haven't used it before but it is working out really well. It is clean, warm and they seem to be comfortable on it.

Were you the one who earlier commented on unhealthy chicks from TSC? I noticed it was also a post from Fla but did not notice the name. I wonder if it is a different hatchery used in the Fla stores. Last year and this, the chicks at my local store looked fantastic. They were all clearly labeled and at least one employee was very knowledgeable about the birds.

Since i brought mine home on Monday, they seem to be thriving. (knock on wood)

I hope your conchins are healthy as well.

 

[AlienChick]

Wow, RedNeckChick.
I'm sorry your TSC store is so crappy.
I've been to several in our area and they all have marked bins, no dead chicks, and no poopy butts.
Your store should be reported to their headquarters.
I know "chick days" is probably a hassle for the store employees, but that doesn't mean they should take out their frustration on the poor baby chicks. Plus it makes their business look bad. Who would want to buy from a company that just does not care about the products they sell?
It might be that those specific TSC store employees simply need "chick day" training. Like basic chick care; what to watch out for (e.g., pasty butt); reasons why they should remove dead carcasses, etc.

Anyway, a good letter campaign to TSC headquarters might help.

 

[kuntrygirl]

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LOVE THE BABIES !!!!!!!!!! I like the idea that you are using sand. Sand rocks!

 

[FeatherFluff]

So, who else cleans the poopy butts while ogling all the chickies? I can't be the only one.... Drives DH crazy.... I tell him at least I am not buying all of them LOL.

Last year we got several from the local mom & pop feed store.... my eldest DD and I picked out the worst looking ones (yup, I am a sucker for the underdog), took 'em home and cleaned 'em up.... all but one (knew she was not gonna make but did not want her to get trampled to death there) did great. Their excuse was that the 'chicken guy' would be at work the NEXT DAY and would take care of them then...... ridiculous. Seems like it is hit-or-miss with the stores...some know and care and some just don't. Seems like they would take care of them if only to get their $$.

 

[Wild Trapper]

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Not too sure if they make a lot on the actual sale of chicks as they do on all the feed and accessories they sell. They probably do get a special deal from the hatcheries, so I'm not saying they don't make at least a reasonable amount. What you have with store personnel is somewhat better than the people you see at Walmart, but to some, it's just a job.

They don't make a commission on how many they sell. If they don't know the answer, they should page someone who does.

I would personally bring it to the attention of the store manager if I saw something I didn't like. Otherwise, I would walk away and never go back.

 

[mordarlar]

Thank you Kuntrygirl! I am really enjoying having them around. This is our first time raising chicks from day one and we're really liking the sand. I'm also really happy with the brooder my husband threw together. I just gotta get him onto making the screened frame for the top before the babies get bigger

 

[Momagain1]

woohoo another TSC I called said no, minimum is 6..I said well, what if I can't properly house more chickens?

so he said "Oh, you already have chickens?" I said "yep", he said well, I can deal with that! My name is george,
c'mon in and you can get the # you want..I said it'll be less than 6..he said thast ok, we just have the minimum 6
due to Easter..and parents getting kids chicks cause they are cute...so we try to prevent it by having a minimum..

msytery solved lol..

however; all they have are the reds and golden comet...
I dont want reds..should I get a comet or two?? they lay light brown eggs ..I wanted white..

 

[Momagain1]

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OMGosh get that framed screen! my hubby did that 2 days ago and each time we lift the frame off to change stuff/feed..they fly out! LOL its hilarious!

they are 10 days old now..