So, I started out my chicken career with 8 Chickens. 4 Black Star Sex Linked and 4 Leghorns. We wanted eggs. Seemed simple enough. A week later after reading many many many posts on BYC I decided that perhaps a few more would not be so bad. It just so happened that a week to the day my local TSC had chicks! I only found out because my boss's wife was on the prowl for some chicks and she called to let me know. I ran up there, with my partner, in an ambulance (no lights or sirens I promise LOL) and RAN inside. I could hear them as soon as the doors opened. I made my way quickly to the bins out back and there they were. 5 Bins, 5 Breeds, peep peep peep peep peep peep peep....Not a single sign indicating who was who. I put my trust in the TSC crew as they very diligently counted every few minutes, made sure they were well watered, and counted down to feed time. I was early but that was ok, nobody needed my professional services and my partner may become the next BYC'r! The time came, the crew said "who wants chicks?" I let the bosses wife go first, she notified me and was there longer at the very least. She was looking for some bantams, all hens, and I wanted a bantam rooster...If I was going off the deep end with my honey I was going to go big! TSC will not sex chicks, but there was a girl there on our side of the fence who was taking care of that for us (we hope). My turn, how exciting! I was going to get my rooster and 5 meat birds. They had Cornish Rocks, PERFECT! I got my rooster, named him Cogburn by the way, and 5 other chicks. My problem presented itself yesterday.... I was back at TSC (go figure...and it is so close to Home Depot) and noticed they still had chicks...Now I am no fool, I have payed my price for bringing them home, telling her that one may be noisy, but the others would feed us in a short while. She was not happy with me to say the least. So, I was NOT buying anymore chicks. I was simply observing them, as well as the signs that indicated the breeds...(insert scary music here). So I looked at the sign on the first bin where my Bantam came from...NOPE! Americauna. Ok, no big deal, I am ok with that. Down to the next bin where my Cornish Rocks came from...NOPE! LEGHORNS...I already have 4...now I have 9...Oh my 13 laying birds...not good. I called my boss immediately and told him of the issue. He took his wife up and sure enough there was a mistake, on the part of TSC. I am heading down to get my money back, they will not take the chicks and I understand that. I will wait til next year for my meaty birds. Be well my chicken friends, I am off to build a huge coop!!!!!!
Yours is not an uncommon occurrence at TSC - well intentioned but seriously misinformed has been my experience. Your 'bantam' may or may not be a cockerel.
When I was looking at our local TSC they told me they had no idea what breeds they were and had no way of knowing either. They just get a shipment in and included is a list of what the chicks could be... And that's why I went ahead and bought from a local farmer here!
Same here about TSC. The "chick"guy was busy guessing about the breeds of the "assorted pullets," and loudly proclaiming how all bantams were "evil and from satan." Yes, those were his words. Plus, he said that all the chicks were two weeks old. No way in heck thats true, these things were complete tiny fluff balls with nooo feathering whatsoever. So... I got supplies there but my darling 6 buff orpy pullets at the local mom n pop place. Needless to say I am fighting the urge to return and buy "just a few more," lol. But, since I don't want a divorce, I'm trying to be strong!
Unfortunately I used to work at TSC, they do not have any requirements as to knowledge of any livestock keeping (only that it would be great if you do). They don't train the employees either. So if you YOU don't your chickens....well who knows what you'll end up with. Oh and I just helped my soon to be father-in-law pick out some chicks at our local TSC last week, I was lucky enough to pick the chicks myself, there were a few roosters in their pullet bin.
My hubby and I went there the other night for some supplies, and saw three bins of adorable straight-runs that looked like my Lorp babies, assorted golden pullets, and Pekin duck fuzzballs! (We almost brought ducks home)
What is it about baby chicks that makes you find any possible escuse to stop by the store to see them? ! I had to go to the car wash yesterday which is conveniently located right next to TSC. Of course I had to stop just really quick to see what kinds of chicks they had...5 minutes later after the second employee asks me if I want chicks I finally convinced myself that, since I have meaty chicks coming in april, I DONT need to take any of these home.
I got my chicks at southern states this year but when I went to tsc to get some ultra kibble for the chicks, dd and I went back to look at the chicks. They had tons of them, probably 3 weeks old, and covered in purple spots. I asked what it was and its a spray because they keep picking on one another. Poor things.
My local TSC didn't have their first shipment labeled and I was able to avoid the 2 silkie chicks they had. (I do NOT like brooding babies myself that is why I let the birds do it). Now, they have labels on the bins. My store hasn't gotten any mixed pullets, only sex links and leghorns. They also had some straight run jersey giants. I had a hen that only hatched out 5 babies 2 days ago so yesterday I picked her up 5 (wish I'd gotten 10) black JG. I have JG so they do look to be the correct breed. Momma got her fosters last night and they have already bonded. I think that you are safest having a good knowledge of breeds when you go. I actually took one of my hatchery catalogs that has good chick pics so that I could check if need be. They do have some cornish cross that are about 2 weeks old right now (from the first shipment). I may break down and go buy some and raise them. It will save a few weeks of $ since they've been feeding them.
