Are you considering adding some quacking cuties to your backyard flock? Ducks can make a delightful and rewarding addition to any poultry enthusiast‘s menagerie. And if you‘re wondering where and when to buy ducks, look no further than your local Tractor Supply store!
As a go-to retailer for all things farm and ranch, Tractor Supply offers a variety of poultry, including adorable baby ducklings, for sale each spring. But exactly when does Tractor Supply get ducks in stock? Keep reading for all the juicy details on Tractor Supply‘s annual duckling extravaganza known as "Chick Days."
What Is Tractor Supply‘s "Chick Days" Event?
For several weeks each spring, Tractor Supply stores across the country host a special poultry event called "Chick Days." During this limited time, participating locations set up brooders filled with an array of fuzzy baby chicks, ducklings, guineas, and sometimes other fowl available for purchase.
Chick Days celebrates the rites of spring and serves as many families‘ introduction to the joys of raising backyard birds. Children and adults alike delight in picking out their new chirping chicks or ducklings to take home. Besides the live birds for sale, Tractor Supply also prominently features all the supplies new poultry owners need, like brooders, heat lamps, bedding, feed, supplements, and books.
When Exactly Are Ducklings Available at Tractor Supply?
So now for the question on every aspiring duck parent‘s mind – when can you buy those darling ducklings? The specific start and end dates for Chick Days vary slightly by year and location, but here‘s the general timeline for when Tractor Supply gets ducks in stock:
- Mid to late February: Chick Days begins at most Tractor Supply stores. The first duck breeds, such as Pekins and Rouens, usually arrive in this initial shipment.
- March through April: Chick Days continues, with additional duck breeds like Mallards and Runners becoming available. The exact selection and quantities depend on each store‘s supplier. Stocks are replenished weekly, so if they‘re sold out of the breed you want, check back in a few days.
- Late April to early May: Chick Days winds down as the weather warms up. Duckling availability becomes more limited later in the season.
To summarize, you can expect to find ducklings for sale at Tractor Supply primarily from late February through April, with the broadest selection in March and early April. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, it‘s wise to shop earlier in the season for the best chance of duckling success.
Of course, it‘s always a good idea to call your local Tractor Supply store in advance to confirm they have the ducklings you want in stock and on display. Rushing down during your lunch break just to find an empty brooder is sure to ruffle your feathers!
How to Buy Ducklings at Tractor Supply
Ready to make some ducklings a part of your family? Once you‘ve picked out your breed, here‘s how the purchasing process works at Tractor Supply:
In-Store Purchases
During Chick Days, just mosey on down to your neighborhood Tractor Supply and head for the brooder bins, typically set up near the front of the store. You‘ll find the ducklings sorted by breed, so take your time and pick out your new quacking crew. Carefully place them in the provided box and head to the register to pay.
It‘s important to note that for the wellbeing of the ducklings, Tractor Supply has a minimum purchase requirement of 6 ducklings for in-store buys. Ducklings are social creatures that need friends, so plan on getting at least a half dozen. Trust us, once you hold one, you‘ll want a whole ducky dynasty!
Online Orders
Is your local Tractor Supply already sold out of the breed you‘re after? Don‘t despair – you can also buy ducklings from the Tractor Supply website and have them shipped safely to your door. The online selection may actually be greater than what‘s stocked in stores.
For delivered ducklings, the minimum order is 10 sweeties. Your ducklings will be shipped via USPS in a specifically designed, ventilated box to keep them comfy during transit. You‘ll receive tracking info and the local post office will notify you upon arrival for speedy pick up. Expect your ducklings to arrive within 1-3 business days after shipping out Monday through Wednesday.
How Much Do Ducklings Cost at Tractor Supply?
Now that you‘ve picked out your dream ducklings, let‘s talk prices. Tractor Supply‘s duckling prices typically range from about $3 to $5 per duckling, depending on breed and availability. You can expect to spend between $20 and $50 for the minimum purchase of 6 ducklings.
Some rarer or more specialized breeds of ducklings may cost a bit more, up to $10-$12 each. For orders shipped from TractorSupply.com, budget around $40-$90 for 10 ducklings, plus shipping charges.
While it may sound like a bargain to snag a six quack for only $20, remember that ducklings are a long-term investment. You‘ll also need to factor in the costs for their brooder setup, feed, coop, and care supplies over their lifetime. But for the daily amusement and eggs-ellent garden helpers they‘ll become, ducks are well worth every penny!
Duckling Breeds Available at Tractor Supply
Tractor Supply offers a diverse selection of duck breeds each Chick Days season. The most common varieties you can expect to find include:
- Pekin: The iconic, large white duck and most popular breed. Great for both meat and egg production.
- Rouen: Colorful ducks that resemble wild Mallards. Calm and cold-hardy dual purpose breed.
- Khaki Campbell: Excellent egg-laying breed that can produce over 300 eggs per year. Friendly active foragers.
- Cayuga: Unique black-feathered ducks with an iridescent green sheen. Decent layers known for their flavorful meat.
- Blue Swedish: Striking slate blue plumage with white bibs. Calm disposition and good for small-scale meat and egg production.
- Buff: Pretty light orange ducks that lay well and have tasty meat. Tend to be on the smaller side.
You may also see some Runner ducks (tall skinny ducks) or Crested ducks (ducks with poofy topknots) in the Tractor Supply mix. Specific breed availability depends on the individual hatchery suppliers, and less common breeds frequently sell out fast. An exotic duckling is a rare gem to snatch up when you spot one!
Setting Up for Your New Ducklings
Bringing home new babies of any species requires some preparation. Before your Tractor Supply duckling gotcha day, make sure you have the following supplies ready to go:
- Brooder: A plastic tote, kiddie pool, or large cardboard box to safely contain your ducklings indoors for the first few weeks. Allow at least 1 square foot of space per duckling.
- Bedding: Line the brooder bottom with pine shavings or straw to absorb messes and odors. Avoid cedar shavings and newspaper.
- Heat Source: Young ducklings need temperatures between 90°F-95°F. Use a heat lamp placed securely above the brooder, adjusting the height as the ducklings grow.
- Waterer and Feed Dishes: Ducklings are very messy, so opt for a simple shallow dish they can submerge their bills in without soaking themselves or their feed. Use a chick feeder or trough they can‘t knock over or climb into.
- Starter Feed: Pick up a bag of non-medicated chick starter feed from Tractor Supply. Ducklings can eat chick feed, but shouldn‘t have the medicated kind.
Once your ducklings have outgrown the brooder in a few weeks, they can graduate to an outdoor predator-proof coop and run. It should include a safe nighttime shelter, places to forage, a pool to dabble and bathe in, and free access to fresh water and feed. Ducks don‘t roost like chickens, so provide some soft straw bedding on the floor of the shelter.
Interesting Facts About Tractor Supply Ducklings
Still need a final nudge to jump on the quacky train? Here‘s a few more fascinating tidbits about Tractor Supply ducklings:
- Most domestic ducklings sold at Tractor Supply don‘t fly. They‘re too plump and bred for the ground life, so no need to clip wings.
- Tractor Supply ducklings are sexed at the hatchery to be mostly females. Good news if you‘re hoping for a flock of egg producers! Drakes have curly tails, in case you want to double check.
- Did you know ducks are nature‘s pest control? They love snacking on slugs, snails, and bugs in your garden. So feel free to let your Tractor Supply quack pack mosey down the rows.
- Ducklings develop their waterproofing and heat regulating abilities around 4-5 weeks old. So hold the swimming lessons until they‘re fully feathered – you can introduce some shallow splash time around 3-4 weeks.
Final Advice for Tractor Supply Duck Shoppers
Ducks are truly endearing creatures that can provide your family years of entertainment, companionship, and even tasty eggs. By knowing when and how to buy ducklings at Tractor Supply, you‘re ready to kickstart your ducky dream flock.
The keys are to plan ahead for the spring Chick Days season, select your breeds, and have your duckling brooder area prepped before your trip to Tractor Supply. Shoot for buying your quackers early in the season March through mid-April for the best selection. And don‘t forget that crucial minimum of 6 ducklings!
Most importantly, remember that bringing any animals home is a major commitment. Make sure you have not only the proper supplies and space, but also the time to devote to your ducklings‘ daily care. Raising a paddle of ducklings is a fun learning experience for all ages. And there‘s nothing quite like watching your Tractor Supply fuzzballs blossom into beautiful, quirky quackers.
Happy duckling shopping down at the ‘ol Tractor Supply! May your brooder be filled with downy darlings and your future be filled with endless quacks and cuddles.
