As a picky shopper and backyard poultry enthusiast, I‘ve spent many springs excitedly visiting my local Tractor Supply store to ogle the fuzzy baby chicks and stock up on supplies during their annual Chick Days event. If you‘re wondering when Tractor Supply gets chicks in 2023 and what the buzz is all about, settle in – this complete guide will tell you everything you need to know!
What is Tractor Supply Chick Days?
Chick Days is a springtime event that Tractor Supply, the large farm and home retail chain, holds each year to celebrate the joys of backyard chicken keeping. During Chick Days, Tractor Supply stores across the country receive weekly shipments of live baby chicks from local hatcheries to sell to customers who are eager to start or expand their flocks.
Tractor Supply has been holding Chick Days for over 80 years, and it‘s become a beloved annual tradition. Families love visiting the store to see the adorable balls of fluff and pick out their new feathered friends. Seasoned chicken raisers look forward to Chick Days as a convenient way to add to their flock each spring. And for Tractor Supply, it‘s a significant seasonal sales driver and a chance to showcase their expertise in all things poultry.
When is Chick Days at Tractor Supply in 2023?
In 2023, Tractor Supply Chick Days started on February 13 and will run until April 23, while supplies last. Here‘s a timeline of what happens behind the scenes to make this 10-week chick extravaganza possible:
-
October-December 2022: Tractor Supply begins planning Chick Days 2023. They forecast how many chicks of which breeds each store will need based on past sales data, customer requests, and poultry ownership trends. The company also starts designing the in-store signage, promotions, and educational materials.
-
January 2023: Tractor Supply places chick orders with their network of over 115 family farm and hatchery partners across the country. This gives the hatcheries time to set eggs in incubators and ensure enough chicks will be hatched for the event. Tractor Supply also begins setting up brooders and heat lamps in stores to prepare for the chicks‘ arrival.
-
February-April 2023: Each week during Chick Days, Tractor Supply receives a new shipment of chicks from the hatcheries. Experienced store team members carefully unbox the chicks, inspect their health, and get them settled into brooders in the store‘s pet department. The chicks are kept in climate-controlled comfort until they find their new homes!
How Many Chicks Does Tractor Supply Sell During Chick Days?
While Tractor Supply doesn‘t share exact sales figures, poultry industry experts estimate that the company sells around 5 million baby chicks during the 10-week Chick Days event each year. That‘s a lot of fluffy bundles of joy!
Tractor Supply is likely the largest retailer of live chicks in the United States, and Chick Days accounts for a significant portion of their spring sales. In fact, the company often points to Chick Days as a revenue driver in their quarterly earnings calls and reports.
The event is also a reflection of the growing popularity of backyard chicken keeping. A study by the American Pet Producers Association found that roughly 10 million U.S. households own backyard poultry as of 2021, up from just 5 million a decade ago. Events like Chick Days have certainly helped fuel this trend by making it easy for people to purchase chicks and get started with this rewarding hobby.
What Breeds of Chicks Does Tractor Supply Sell?
One of the great things about Chick Days is the opportunity to see and select chicks from a wide variety of breeds. Tractor Supply works with hatcheries to offer an assortment of traditional egg-laying breeds, dual-purpose birds, and even some eye-catching ornamental breeds.
While the exact selection may vary by store and week, here are some of the chick breeds you‘re likely to find at Tractor Supply:
| Breed | Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | Layer | Hardy, productive, classic brown egg layer |
| Barred Plymouth Rock | Dual | Attractive black & white striping, good for eggs & meat |
| Easter Egger | Layer | Lays blue, green, or pink eggs, friendly temperament |
| Buff Orpington | Dual | Fluffy golden plumage, good egg production, docile |
| Silkie | Ornamental | Unique fluffy feathers, black skin, sweet personality, lays small eggs |
| Golden Comet | Layer | Prolific layer of large brown eggs, hybrid vigor |
| Speckled Sussex | Dual | Beautiful mottled feathers, adapts well to variable climates |
| Cornish Cross | Meat | Fast-growing, efficient meat production |
Tractor Supply‘s website and in-store signage provides helpful profiles of each breed so you can choose the right chicks for your flock goals, space, and climate. Store associates are also knowledgeable about the characteristics of each breed and can offer guidance to both new and experienced chicken keepers.
How Much Do Chicks Cost at Tractor Supply?
Baby chick prices at Tractor Supply generally range from $3 to $5 for common breeds, with some specialty breeds costing up to $10 per chick. Exact pricing varies by store and can change from year to year based on hatchery and shipping costs.
That means you can bring home a flock of 6 chicks (the minimum purchase at most Tractor Supply stores) for around $20 to $30, plus the cost of brooder setup and supplies. It‘s an affordable way to get started with backyard chickens compared to buying started pullets or adult birds.
Of course, it‘s important to remember that baby chicks require extra care and equipment compared to full-grown chickens. Be sure to budget for a brooder, heat plate, chick feed, bedding, and other necessary supplies to raise your chicks successfully. Tractor Supply also sells everything you need for this initial stage and for your chicks‘ transition to an outdoor coop.
How Does Tractor Supply Ensure Chick Health & Quality?
It‘s understandable to have questions about the health and well-being of chicks sold at a large retail event like Chick Days. Rest assured that Tractor Supply takes extensive measures to ensure the chicks are healthy, top-quality, and ethically sourced.
All of Tractor Supply‘s chicks come from NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) registered hatcheries and farms. These facilities are regularly inspected for sanitation, biosecurity, and animal welfare standards. The chicks also receive Marek‘s disease vaccinations at the hatchery to boost their immunity.
During Chick Days, the chicks are carefully managed and monitored at every stage. They are sustainably hatched, safely shipped, and kept at the proper temperature and humidity levels throughout the transport and in-store housing process. Any chicks that appear unwell are immediately isolated and receive prompt veterinary care.
Tractor Supply also allows returns and offers a 30-day health guarantee on Chick Days purchases. If any issues arise with your new chicks, you can bring them back to the store for a replacement or refund. It‘s all part of Tractor Supply‘s commitment to chick health, customer satisfaction, and successful poultry parenting.
Tips for Choosing & Raising Chicks from Tractor Supply
Bringing home baby chicks is exciting, but it‘s important to be prepared. Here are some expert tips to help you select and raise healthy chicks from Tractor Supply:
-
Research breeds before you go. Having a sense of which breeds you want beforehand will help you make good choices from the available selection. Consider your climate, space, and whether you want chickens primarily for eggs, meat, or both.
-
Carefully examine chicks before buying. Healthy chicks should be active, alert, and free from signs of illness like labored breathing, discharge, or pasty vents. Gently pick up chicks to ensure they have bright eyes, soft fluffy down, and no deformities.
-
Have your brooder ready before bringing chicks home. A clean, warm, draft-free brooder is essential for chicks‘ first few weeks of life. Set up your brooder with pine shavings, a heat source, chick feed, waterers, and feeders before Chick Days so it‘s move-in ready.
-
Maintain proper brooder temperature. Chicks need to be kept at 95°F for the first week of life, then reduce the temperature by 5°F each week until they are fully feathered. Use a thermometer to monitor the brooder temp and raise or lower the heat lamp as needed.
-
Offer a high-quality chick starter feed. Feed your Tractor Supply chicks a complete 18-20% protein chick starter ration from day one. Avoid treats and scratch grains until they are older. Keep feed and water fresh and accessible at all times.
-
Give chicks a safe outdoor space after 6-8 weeks. Once your chicks have grown in their feathers, they are ready to transition to a secure outdoor coop and run. Ensure the area is predator-proof and provides shelter, shade, food, water, and space to roam.
With these tips and some TLC, your Tractor Supply Chick Days chicks will grow into happy, healthy, productive chickens that bring you joy for years to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does Chick Days at Tractor Supply last?
A: Chick Days typically runs for 8-10 weeks each spring, usually from mid-February to late April. In 2023, Chick Days will begin February 13 and end April 23.
Q: Does Tractor Supply sell chicks year-round?
A: No, Tractor Supply only sells live chicks during the spring Chick Days event. This aligns with the natural season when chicks are hatched and have the best survival rates. If you need chicks outside of this window, you‘ll need to order from an online hatchery that ships year-round.
Q: What is the minimum number of chicks I can buy at Tractor Supply?
A: Most Tractor Supply stores have a minimum chick purchase of 6. This is to ensure chicks have enough fellow flock mates to stay warm and thrive in their brooder. You can mix and match chick breeds to reach the minimum.
Q: Does Tractor Supply sell ducks, quail, or other poultry too?
A: Yes, at certain points during the Chick Days event, some Tractor Supply locations also receive ducklings, turkey poults, and guinea keets in addition to chicks. Call your local store to inquire about other poultry availability.
Q: What supplies do I need for chicks purchased at Tractor Supply?
A: To care for your Tractor Supply chicks, you‘ll need a brooder, heat lamp, chick starter feed, waterer, feeder, and pine shaving bedding at minimum. As the chicks grow, you‘ll also need a secure outdoor coop and run. Tractor Supply conveniently carries all these products in stores and online.
Final Thoughts
Whether you‘re a first-time chick parent or a seasoned chicken keeper, Tractor Supply Chick Days is an egg-citing annual event that celebrates the joys of backyard poultry. By providing a wide selection of chicks from reputable hatcheries, expert advice and supplies, and a fun seasonal experience, Tractor Supply has made it more accessible than ever to bring home a flock of your own.
From an industry perspective, the enduring popularity of Chick Days is a testament to Tractor Supply‘s deep expertise in the rural lifestyle category. By partnering with ethical hatcheries, upholding rigorous chick care protocols, and offering unmatched product assortment and customer service, the company has established itself as the go-to destination for backyard poultry keepers nationwide.
At the same time, Chick Days is about more than just selling chicks – it‘s a cherished tradition that connects families and communities. In a digital age where many of us are disconnected from our food sources and agricultural roots, there‘s something uniquely satisfying about hand-selecting fuzzy baby chicks and watching them grow into egg-producing members of the family. Tractor Supply understands this and goes above and beyond to create a memorable, magical Chick Days experience each spring.
So if you‘re feeling the itch to start or expand your backyard flock in 2023, mark your calendar for Chick Days at Tractor Supply. With a little preparation, research, and care, you‘ll be on your way to enjoying the many rewards of raising your own chicks. Happy chickening!
