Question about Tractor Supply chicks~

[AmyJ]

Hi! I'm new to BYC and have a question maybe someone can answer for me. The Tractor Supply store here is getting chicks in next week and I just want to know if they are usually vaccinated or not. I called the store and they didn't know. They also don't know where they are coming from. So just seeing if anyone on here might know so I know whether to buy medicated or unmedicated feed for them. I really love this site! I have learned so much! Thanks in advance!

Amy

 

[Keriamon]

I was planning on getting chicks from them too. Do you know what kind of chickens they are offering, or do they have different breeds to choose from? And are they mixed sexes?

Even if they're vaccinated, you still have to give medicated feed, don't you?

 

[scbatz33]

TSC gets their chicks by regions from my understanding. What breeds and how they come vary by where they get them from. YOu should find out what hatchery they use at your store and ask.

I don't know about the medicated feed...everyone here has a varing opinion.

 

[the_great_snag]

I have heard that TSC orders "hatchery's choice" chicks from Privett Hatchery in Arizona. As part of this, Privett keeps no records on the exact breeds they are sending them.

I'm sure they are good chicks and I would buy with confidence, but it wouldn't hurt to study up on what various breeds look like as chicks so you have some idea of what you might be getting.

I personally vote NO on vaccinations or medicated feed unless you have a large established flock where biosecurity is a serious issue.

Antibiotic over-use can leave an animal (or person) more vulnerable to future infections. It should only be used if it's needed, and not as a preventative measure.

 

[TennesseeTruly]

No one at my TSC knows anything about the chicks, believe me, I asked. They don't know what kind they are, if they're vaccinated, nothing, nada.

Good luck

Laurie

 

[ams3651]

i dont know where my TSC got their chicks from last year but it seemed each weeks shipment was something different and they didnt know what they were getting. When I happened in they had assorted bantams, RIR straight run and EE (Ameracanas (SP) )pullets. I know other times they had Sex links, Cornish Rocks and others. I fed mine medicated feed only because the mill I get it from has it and it was cheaper than TSC feed and several times I went in for feed and they were out.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Vaccinations of baby chicks is normally vaccination against Marek's. You can do a search on this site and find many threads discussing Marek's in depth.

The medicated feed has nothing to do with Marek's. Medicated feed and vaccinations are not related at all. The medicated feed is for protection against coccidiosis (commonly called cocci). The medicated feed I am familiar with does not contain an antibiotic. Again, you can do a search on here to find many threads discussing cocci in depth.

As a suggestion, in the US, you can call your county extension agent and discuss chicken diseases common to your area and get suggestions as too what you should do, depending on your specific circumstances.

 

[~*B*~]

there is a TSC right around the corner from me.
i cant wait to see what they have.

 

[scbatz33]

The TSC down the road will get the chicks in the week befor eEaster. HOwever, when I went in the other day, they has "chick boxes" out with the rabits. How cruel is that, I ask you? Have they no compassion?

 

[tazzy]

medicated feed is unrelated to the marek vaccination. I don't know if TSC gets that for their chicks.

some of our area TSC stores get their chicks from Mt. Healthy. I think every TSC region is different as to where they buy their birds.