SARATOGA SPRINGS — A little bird told me that Chick Days is back at Tractor Supply.
Now through April 30th, cheeping chicks sing the welcome song of spring.
Chick Magnet
“It’s kind-of like people have an addiction to chickens. They already have ten, say they don’t need any more, then lo and behold, they’re buying more,” said store manager K.C. Gericke. He’s been working at Tractor Supply stores for more than seven years and has seen them sell out of all types of chicks each spring.
Gericke estimates that 1,800 live birds were sold in his store last year, and anticipates that number to be even larger this year because the special event has been extended to last an additional two weeks.
“It’s a chance for us to get more chicks out to more people,” said Gericke.
Birds of a Feather
Peeking in at the bright-eyed pullets huddled together, it’s eggs-traordinary to envision the grown birds that they’ll quickly become. A conveniently placed variety chart references what each will look like as well as the color of eggs that they typically lay. While many of their hybrid production layers yield brown eggs, they do receive specialty breeds including Americanas that also lay eggs in shades of blue and green, White Leghorns that lay white eggs, and Cuckoo Marans, whose eggs can often come out tinted red.
In addition to chickens, Tractor Supply also carries other live birds.
“People ask about ducks all the time,” said Gericke. The ducklings eat the same feed as chicks but add new sights, sounds, and flavors to backyard flocks. Rare varieties of birds, including guinea hens, are also available by special order, he said.
Hatch a Plan
While owning a diverse flock can give you the wonder of an Easter egg scavenger hunt daily, Gericke emphasizes that buying birds should not be seen as a temporary novelty gift.
“These are not Easter chickens, these are agricultural birds for agricultural use,” he said. Tractor Supply has everything that both the first time flock owners and those with more experience may need, he said. In addition to their egg-cellent advice, they have informational magazines and pamphlets, feeders, bedding, heat bulbs and lamps, chicken themed home décor, gift items, and more.
There’s a plethora of coops available online for when you’re ready to bring your birds home to roost. They come in a large number of sizes and styles. Many are built to provide feed storage as well as a safe place for your feathered friends to comfortably move around and lay their eggs.
A Good Egg
There are many reasons to raise chickens, but Gericke finds there’s one that stands out.
“A lot of people like to know where their food is coming from – it gives you peace of mind,” he said. It’s important to them to know how they are being treated and what they are eating, he added.
Tractor Supply honors this value by conscientiously caring for the young chicks while under their supervision.
Shipped by the U.S. Postal Service from Iowa’s Hoover Hatchery, the fragile creatures are warmed by lamps, given organic feed, and water fortified with vitamins.
“It’s like chicken Gatorade,” joked Gericke.
Carefully dipping any hesitant birds’ beaks into the water will usually encourage them all to drink, he said.
“Ninety-nine percent of them are in good health when they get here and we do everything we can to keep them healthy,” he said.
The Early Bird
All birds are available on a first come, first served basis, and there’s never any leftover, said Gericke. Even for those not looking to raise chickens, stopping by to see them can be a fun experience. Learning about varieties, different color eggs, and the added benefits of their waste as fertilizer is educational for kids and adults alike.
“We get more buyers than lookers, but everyone comments, ‘they’re sooo cute’,” said Gericke.
For more information go to http://www.tractorsupply.com
