thinking of getting chicks for Tractor supply

[ThisoldNHhen]

I went in to Tractor supply today they had so many chicks, Just don't know how long I will need to keep them inside? I haven't figured out a brooder yet , but that would also depend on how long I have to keep them in the house. I am in NH and it is still below freezing most nights..... Is it okay to buy them from tractor supply and how big of a brooder would I need for 3 to 6 chicks? Still on the fence about getting chicks... I have 6 chickens that I had rehomed last summer and have enjoyed them a lot. Just don't know how hard it is to raise them from chicks??? Don't want to get over my head! Any advice would be great! Love this site!

 

[Lucy Brown]

Hi, I would recommend starting out with 3-4 chicks. Chicks are very fun and cute to raise, and they grow really fast. The only thing to keep in mind is cleanliness...chicks do poop a lot and when I started raises them (started out with 10) I had to change the pad 3 times a day XD. Tractor Supply is a good place to get chicks from by the way. You have to clean out their water from shavings if you are using it as bedding. I hope this helps. Have fun!

 

[chickentrains]

Tractor supply is like a puppy mill, for chickens. If you can aviod it and ship from a responsible breeder, thats best.

if you do get chicks from TSC, the above answer is great. Be prepared for deaths, maybe get one extra chick.

 

[Melontine]

Chicks can go outside when fully feathered, usually around 6 weeks or so. You’ll want to transition them slowly though so they can adjust to outside temperatures easier.

My state requires buying at least 6 chicks or 10 for ducklings. So research your local laws is the first step.
Definitely get a few, chickens need other chickens.

You should set up the your brooder and have it all warmed up beforehand, and be prepared to clean a lot of chick poop.
A lot of people find brooding them inside the house to be a big hassle with the smells and use their barns or garages, or just separate areas.
My brooder is inside right now cause I had sickly babies who needed a bit of monitoring. I just used a clear tote, pine shavings, a heat plate, and chicken wire over the top to keep the cats out/chicks in. They’re up on a little folding table near a sunny window right now.

 

[EllieandOlive]

Tractor supply is like a puppy mill, for chickens. If you can aviod it and ship from a responsible breeder, thats best.

if you do get chicks from TSC, the above answer is great. Be prepared for deaths, maybe get one extra chick.

Yes my SR bantams from TSC were in horrible health, I lost 4 even with special treatment! All of the pullets I've gotten there have been hardy though.

I always buy the weak ones on purpose though to help them out, so makes sense I'd lose more than a few.

 

[Melontine]

Tractor supply is like a puppy mill, for chickens. If you can aviod it and ship from a responsible breeder, thats best.

if you do get chicks from TSC, the above answer is great. Be prepared for deaths, maybe get one extra chick.

Even shipping you need to order a lot and expect to lose a few, especially if it's below freezing currently.
The sad fact of buying chicks.

The best way is to find someone local who hatches their own chicks and buy from them.

 

[EllieandOlive]

I brood in my garage, in a xl plastic bin with a heat plate. Also have a secure heat lamp split between 2 brooders of older chicks. I keep them in the brooder for up to 8 weeks depending on weather. In south texas though so around 6 weeks they go out to the barn with heat only at night until its in the mid 70s at night.
Keep their bedding clean and have fresh water available always, and food of course. I check their water 3x a day and food 2x a day usually. Can do less often depending on your set up and feeder/waterer size.
Make sure their brooder temps are right and they have room to get away from the heat always. I prefer pine shavings for bedding but that's up to you. Make sure you have about a 20% starter feed for them, not layer feed, which is lower in protein/nutrients.

I add shavings every other day and dump/clean out fully their brooder every 10 days or sooner if needed. I also use an old window screen laid across the top of the bins because they start to jump/fly out around 2-3 weeks. Depends on your set up.


Highly recommend the save-a-chick electrolyte packets for the first few days (along with plain water) or add apple cider vinegar to their water. Gives them a good boost after all their shipping and crazy unideal first few days. It's revived some of my super weak ones so I love that stuff!

 

[EllieandOlive]

I brood in my garage, in a xl plastic bin with a heat plate. Also have a secure heat lamp split between 2 brooders of older chicks. I keep them in the brooder for up to 8 weeks depending on weather. In south texas though so around 6 weeks they go out to the barn with heat only at night until its in the mid 70s at night.
Keep their bedding clean and have fresh water available always, and food of course. I check their water 3x a day and food 2x a day usually. Can do less often depending on your set up and feeder/waterer size.
Make sure their brooder temps are right and they have room to get away from the heat always. I prefer pine shavings for bedding but that's up to you. Make sure you have about a 20% starter feed for them, not layer feed, which is lower in protein/nutrients.

I add shavings every other day and dump/clean out fully their brooder every 10 days or sooner if needed. I also use an old window screen laid across the top of the bins because they start to jump/fly out around 2-3 weeks. Depends on your set up.


Highly recommend the save-a-chick electrolyte packets for the first few days (along with plain water) or add apple cider vinegar to their water. Gives them a good boost after all their shipping and crazy unideal first few days. It's revived some of my super weak ones so I love that stuff!

Brooder temps chart!