Baby chicks this year 2025

[jcaltizer]

Hi everyone,
I'm just wondering if anyone has had alot of issues with baby chicks dying that they bought at Tractor Supply? I keep seeing
posts on FB of different areas where people bought chicks and most or all are dying within the first week. We bought some at Rural King 13 Rainbow chicks, we lost one on the 2nd day, not too abnormal. We then bought 5 barred rock and 5 silver laced wyndotte straight run cause thats all they had, at Tractor Supply, as of today we have lost 5 of them. We have raised chickens for a long time, clear back to when I was a youngster and never had an issue like this before. We do all the things to make sure they have whats needed before they come home. Heat lamps, warm water with added probiotic and electrolytes, good medium pine shavings, chick starter feed etc. Was just wondering if anyone on here has noticed alot are not living after buying at a retailer. Thank you all in advance

I have had my newly purchased chicks from Rural King die suddenly also… when I have never had that happen ever before

 

[deegee68]

My problem with a TSC type store is all of the handling that happens. It seems like every time I go into a store, I see kids picking them up or poking and prodding them. It happens a lot at Bomgaars as well.

 

[Iluveggers]

My problem with a TSC type store is all of the handling that happens. It seems like every time I go into a store, I see kids picking them up or poking and prodding them. It happens a lot at Bomgaars as well.

Really? All 5 of the TSCs in my area have glass around the brooders. No one can pick them up except associates getting them for customers.

 

[StacyT]

The local TSC stores here have their brooders inside a locked dog kennel so only employees can get to them.

My problem with a TSC type store is all of the handling that happens. It seems like every time I go into a store, I see kids picking them up or poking and prodding them. It happens a lot at Bomgaars as well.

 

[ValkerieGunn]

The local TSC stores here have their brooders inside a locked dog kennel so only employees can get to them.

Same here. Most of the time they don't even allow you in the cage at all to pick the chicks, you have to be outside the cage and point if you want specific chicks. You definitely aren't allowed to handle them until they hand you the box after the cage is locked back up.

 

[Lil Country]

It took me weeks to get my hands on chicks. Just like the toilet paper crisis, it’s chicks this year because of the egg prices/shortages. I had luck finding some from local breeders and then got a few at IFA and my chicks from breeders have been far more healthy. I have a failure to thrive chick from IFA, I’m doing all I can to give it a chance. My only issue with breeders (which is not really an issue) is getting unwanted roosters, because most sell straight run. I know I have 3 of 11 so far.

 

[JenniMcChick]

The local TSC stores here have their brooders inside a locked dog kennel so only employees can get to them.

Same here at our local one. Only employees handle them.

 

[JenniMcChick]

It took me weeks to get my hands on chicks. Just like the toilet paper crisis, it’s chicks this year because of the egg prices/shortages. I had luck finding some from local breeders and then got a few at IFA and my chicks from breeders have been far more healthy. I have a failure to thrive chick from IFA, I’m doing all I can to give it a chance. My only issue with breeders (which is not really an issue) is getting unwanted roosters, because most sell straight run. I know I have 3 of 11 so far.

I also had to wait for multiple TSC shipments that did not pan out & eventually did a desperate scramble to find some locally from breeders. Couldn't find any initially, but was finally able to find some from a "breeder" in a nearby town. Had official website & everything....but I digress.
I called & purchased because he had BBS Orpingtons advertised. We purchased 5 to put under our broody Buff Orp who was on day 20-21.
She took to them immediately & has been a wonderful Momma!
Unfortunately, not only are chicks NOT Orpingtons (feathering on legs led to Marans consensus on this site), but 4 of the 5 are cockerels!!
I'm willing to give 1 a chance since I don't already have a rooster. & I guess it's good to have options to choose from (although I'm already pretty sure it will be the splash or the blue & not either black ones).
But my issue now is being worried about integration for a sole pullet. Anyone have any advice or ideas?
Other hens have been really nice to the babies so far.
Broody & babies have their own tiny coop & run adjacent to main coop, but they all free range together at this point. Chicks are 5-6 weeks old. Although my guess all along is that the cuckoo, the sole pullet, is older than the others as she's always been bigger.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

The local TSC stores here have their brooders inside a locked dog kennel so only employees can get to them.

Same here! And the local feed store that sells chicks has them enclosed such that no one can touch them too. Keeping them in an open enclosure sounds like a recipe for disaster at the best of times.

 

[Haytokah]

I bought 6 chicks at the local Southern States Cooperative and all appear healthy and active. They keep their chicks in stock tanks so that you can pick out the ones you want. Sorry so many people are seeing their babies die.