Mia Patel
Tractor Supply Co. is a one-stop shop for chicken keepers and enthusiasts. It offers a wide range of products, from chicken coops and poultry feed to live chicks and other poultry. Tractor Supply's Chick Days is an annual event that marks the beginning of spring and is popular among homesteaders and poultry enthusiasts. During this event, which usually runs from late winter to early spring, Tractor Supply offers a variety of day-old chicks, ducklings, and sometimes even goslings, providing an opportunity for people to start or expand their flocks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of year | Mid to late February |
| Chick types | Days-old chicks, pullets, straight run |
| Minimum order | 6 (in-store), 10 (online) |
| Chick breeds | Rhode Island Reds, Product Blue, Calico Princess, Australorps, Copper Maran, Wyandottes, Bantam, ISA Browns, Comets |
| Other poultry | Ducks, turkeys, guineas |
| Supplies | Chicken coops, poultry feed, treats, supplements, egg incubators, brooder, heat lamp, chick corral |
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What You'll Learn
Tractor Supply's Chick Days event
During Chick Days, Tractor Supply receives chicks regularly, so customers can expect to find various kinds of baby chicks available for in-store purchases. The event offers a diverse selection of popular breeds, including Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, Australorps, Copper Marans, Wyandottes, and Bantam chickens. Customers can also find crossovers, such as the Product Blue and Calico Princess birds.
In addition to live poultry, Tractor Supply provides essential supplies for raising chicks. They offer chicken coops, coop runs, poultry feed and treats, feeders, waterers, supplements, and incubator accessories. The company works closely with reputable poultry hatcheries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Livestock Conservancy to ensure best practices in bio-security, chicken care, and poultry education.
Chick Days at Tractor Supply is not just about purchasing chicks but also serves as an educational resource. The company provides valuable information and resources to help customers raise healthy and happy flocks. Customers can find advice on choosing the right breed, building a chicken coop, providing heat, and preparing for winter.
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Chicks available in-store and online
Tractor Supply Co. hosts "Chick Days" every year in mid to late February, where they receive chicks from hatcheries and sell them in-store and online. During this time, customers can purchase chicks in quantities as low as 10 online or head to a physical store to pick up live birds in person. Tractor Supply also offers a wide range of poultry supplies, including chicken coops, runs, poultry feed, treats, feeders, waterers, and supplements.
Chick Days is a popular event for those looking to start or expand their backyard chicken flock. It provides an opportunity to visually inspect the chicks for any health issues and select a smaller number than typically offered by hatcheries. Customers can choose from a variety of chick breeds, including Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, Copper Marans, Wyandottes, and Bantam chickens.
It is important to note that the availability of chicks at Tractor Supply stores may vary, and they could sell out quickly. Additionally, the chicks are typically a mix of males and females, and while chick sexing is not always accurate, Tractor Supply does its best to provide accurate information.
For those new to chicken keeping, Tractor Supply offers a range of resources, including a breed directory and advice on chicken care, such as brooder setup and feeding guides. It is recommended to have all the necessary supplies, such as a brooder box, heat lamp, and chick corral, before bringing home the chicks.
Overall, Tractor Supply's Chick Days provide a convenient and accessible way for individuals to purchase chicks and start their backyard chicken journey.
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Preparing for your chicks' arrival
Tractor Supply hosts their "Chick Days" every year in mid to late February, where they receive shipments of chicks from hatcheries to their retail stores. If you're planning on getting chicks during this time, here are some ways you can prepare for their arrival:
Research and Planning:
Before your chicks arrive, it's important to do your research and read up on the basic care and needs of chicks. This will help alleviate any worries or anxieties you may have and ensure that you're well-prepared. Understanding the commitment involved in raising backyard chickens is crucial.
Brooder Box Setup:
Your chicks will need a secure, draft-proof space to call their own. A simple cardboard box can serve as a brooder box, but it should be placed in a safe and draft-proof area. The air within the brooder box needs to maintain a constant temperature, and fresh air should be able to flow over the top. Make sure to cover the entire brooder area with bedding, such as large pine shavings, rice hulls, straw, or hay, to a depth of approximately 1 to 3 inches.
Heat Source:
Baby chicks cannot regulate their body temperature during the first few critical days, so a heat lamp is essential. The temperature should be maintained at around 95°F (35°C) for the first week, gradually decreasing by 5°F each subsequent week. Ensure that the heat lamp is secure and doesn't pose a fire hazard or risk to the chicks.
Feeder and Waterer Setup:
Provide an appropriate feeder based on the number of chicks you'll be getting. For a few chicks, a round plastic or metal feeder will suffice, while a trough-type feeder is better for accommodating more chicks. Ensure that the feed trough is easily accessible and low enough for the chicks to see and reach the feed. Always have clean, room-temperature water available for the chicks to prevent them from getting chilled while drinking. Shallow water dispensers or placing marbles/rocks in the water foundation can help prevent chicks from submerging and getting wet.
Quarantine and Health Considerations:
Isolating your new chicks from other birds for a quarantine period of at least two weeks is essential to prevent possible cross-infection. Additionally, be prepared for health issues such as pasty butt and have medications on hand, as chicks require immediate treatment if they fall ill.
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Chick health and care advice
Tractor Supply usually hosts their "Chick Days" every year in mid to late February, where they receive shipments of chicks from hatcheries to their retail stores. This is a great time to source chicks and visually inspect them for any leg issues, diseases, or injuries before bringing them home.
Now, here is some general advice on chick health and care:
Health and Care Advice for Chicks
Environment and Housing
- The ideal time to bring home chicks is during spring, as it is easier to regulate their brooder temperature and allow them outside.
- Chicks need to be kept warm, especially if they are being raised during colder seasons.
- Ensure their housing is well-ventilated but avoid drafts.
- Use a thermostat with heaters to maintain a safe temperature range and prevent burns.
- The brooder box should be cleaned daily to prevent the chicks from stomping around in their waste and creating dust.
- Provide a clean environment with adequate bedding. Suitable bedding materials include pine shavings, hemp bedding, puppy pads, straw, or commercially available paper litter. Avoid using cedar products as they can irritate the chicks' respiratory systems.
- Provide a roosting area with DIY perches made from thick sticks or wood for the chicks to practice jumping and exploring.
Diet and Nutrition
- Always provide clean, fresh water. Consider adding electrolytes and vitamins to their water, especially during the first week.
- Feed them a diet specifically formulated for chicks. A starter feed is recommended for the first 4 to 8 weeks, followed by a grower feed for adolescent chickens.
- Medicated feed can help prevent coccidiosis, but only if your chicks haven't been vaccinated for it.
- Supplement their diet with insoluble grit to aid in digestion and prevent gastrointestinal obstruction. Avoid oyster shell grit or other forms of additional calcium, as too much can lead to health issues.
- Incorporate treats in small quantities, ensuring their main chick food formula makes up at least 90% of their diet.
Health and Veterinary Care
- Have your chicks evaluated by a veterinarian soon after hatching to check for any health issues.
- Be aware of HPAI risks in your region and implement biosecurity measures to protect your flock.
- If you have other chickens, follow intake and quarantine guidelines to protect your existing flock and the new chicks.
- If a chick becomes ill, seek medication immediately.
- If you intend to raise the chicks with their mother, avoid separating them unless necessary due to health reasons or space constraints.
Remember, these are general guidelines, and specific care requirements may vary based on breed, health status, and other factors. Always consult a veterinarian for specific guidance and recommendations.
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Other live poultry available
Tractor Supply Co. hosts "Chick Days" every year in mid to late February, where they receive chicks from hatcheries and sell them to customers. The company offers a wide range of poultry supplies and works closely with reputable poultry hatcheries, government agencies, and conservancy groups.
In addition to chicks, Tractor Supply Co. also offers other live poultry, including baby ducks, turkeys, guineas, and rare chicken breeds. The rare chicken breeds are sold in assortments of 10, and the specific breeds included in each assortment may vary depending on availability. Some of the rare breeds that could be included in these assortments are Barnevelder, Blue Andalusian, Buff Brahma, Cochin, Columbian Wyandotte, Cuckoo Marans, Dark Brahma, and Dominique. Standard breeds are also available, such as Amberlink, Americana, Asian Black, and Barred Rock.
The company provides essential supplies for poultry keepers, including poultry feed, treats, supplements, feed containers, grinders, waterers, and feeders. They also offer a range of chicken coops, from pre-built options to kits, as well as poultry netting for free-range chickens. Tractor Supply Co. caters to customers with varying flock sizes and can help them choose the right products for their needs.
Tractor Supply Co. allows customers to order live poultry online in quantities as low as 10 and have them shipped to their local post office for pickup. This convenient option ensures that customers can access a diverse range of poultry breeds without the need to visit a physical store.
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Frequently asked questions
Tractor Supply's Chick Days event is an annual event that usually takes place from late winter to early spring, typically until the end of April.
The event offers a wide variety of day-old chicks, ducklings, and sometimes even goslings. You can expect to find several kinds of baby chicks available for in-store purchase. Tractor Supply also provides valuable information and resources to help customers raise healthy and happy flocks.
You can order days-old chicks online in quantities as low as 10, or you can visit a Tractor Supply store near you to pick up your live birds in person.
