The cost of chicks at Tractor Supply ranges from $2 – 4 per chick, depending on the breed.
While this may seem like a lot to pay for such small animals, chicks can be a great addition to any farm or backyard flock.
They are easy to care for and provide fresh eggs all year long.
It’s also important to be aware that not all Tractor Supply stores carry chicks.
Chick availability may vary depending on the location.
To find out if a store near you carries chicks, call ahead or check the store’s website.
Things to Know Before Buying Chicks at Tractor Supply
1. Chickens are expensive
Chicks at Tractor Supply range from $1.99 for an assorted variety to $4.29 for a small breed just-hatched chick and go up from there, depending on the breed and grade.
Not only that, but you have to pay extra for feed and supplies, without these necessities, your chicks will not make it very long after they arrive in your mailbox.
The total cost of a start-up is really much higher than you’d expect and can vary wildly between breeds and locations (it’s no coincidence that many breeds originated in warm areas where they don’t need as much care). This chart provides average costs per chick:
| Quantity (Chicks) | 1-9 | 10-19 | 20-49 | 50-99 | 100+ |
| Price Per Chick | $3.99 | $3.79 | $3.59 | $3.39 | $3.19 |
2. Chicks need a lot of care
Chicks need food, water, warmth, and protection from predators. They also need plenty of space to move around, which usually means a coop and run (or a larger yard).
If you live in a colder climate, you’ll also need to provide supplemental heat for your chicks until they’re able to regulate their own body temperature (usually around 4-5 weeks old).
All of this costs money and takes time, if you’re not prepared to commit both, you should reconsider getting chicks.
3. Chickens can be noisy
Chickens are not the quietest animals on the planet. They “talk” to one another through clucks, crows, and other vocalizations, which can be startling if you’re not expecting them (and they may even wake you up in the morning).
Females are especially noisy when they’re laying eggs; roosters crow at all hours of the day and night.
Young males squawk when they try to mate, and your neighbors will probably complain about incessant crowing if you buy a rooster.
If noise bothers you, you might want to reconsider getting chickens or look into breeds that tend to be relatively quiet.
4. Chickens don’t necessarily make good pets
Chickens are adorable when they’re fluffy little balls of yellow fluff, but once they start growing feathers and wings, they can be a lot of work.
They need to be handled regularly to get used to people, they have to be let out of the coop to roam around and scratch for food, and you have to clean their coop on a regular basis.
If you’re not prepared or don’t have the time to commit to regular chick care, you should probably reconsider getting chickens.
5. Chickens are dirty
Chickens poop… a lot. In fact, one chicken can produce as much as 2 pounds of droppings per week. Not only is this unsightly, but it’s also dangerous for your chickens (and your family) if not up regularly.
You’ll need to provide a roosting area, a place to scratch, and a sandbox-type area for them to dust bathe in, as well as clean their coop regularly.
If you’re not prepared to deal with chicken poop, you should reconsider getting chickens.
6. Chickens can be sickly
All living things are susceptible to disease, and chickens are no exception. In fact, one of the most common reasons people give up on keeping chickens is because they get ill too often.
Chickens can catch everything from the common cold to deadly diseases like avian flu, so it’s important to have a good relationship with your local veterinarian in case of an emergency.
If you’re not prepared to deal with sick chickens, you should reconsider getting them.
7. Chickens need a lot of food
Chickens need a balanced diet to stay healthy, and that diet costs money. They’ll eat anything from kitchen scraps to bugs to commercial chicken feed.
The best way to provide them with a balanced diet is to buy a sack of feed from your local farm store.
Feed costs anywhere from $10-30 per 50-pound bag, so it’s important to factor that into your budget if you’re considering getting chickens.
8. Chickens can be expensive to maintain
Along with food, chickens also need water, bedding, shelter, and healthcare. All of these things cost money, and they add up quickly.
If you’re not prepared to spend a few hundred dollars per year on chickens, you should reconsider getting them.
9. Chickens can be pests
Chickens are notorious for scratching up gardens and eating the plants, flowers, and fruits they find there.
They can also devastate an orchard in a single day. If you’re not prepared to deal with the destruction chickens can cause, you should reconsider getting them.
10. Chickens can be delicious
This one is obviously optional! While most people get chickens for the eggs, some people do keep chickens around for their meat.
If you’re interested in learning how to cook chicken, or if you just want to have a fresh source of meat available, you should consider getting chickens.
If you’re looking to buy some chicks, be sure to check the prices at your local Tractor Supply store.
| Buff Brahma Hen | $3.49 |
| Buff Brahma Cockerel | $1.79 |
| New Hampshire Hen | $2.29 |
| New Hampshire Cockerel | $1.29 |
| Rhode Island Red Cockerel | $1.79 |
| Partridge Rock Hen | $1.79 |
| Partridge Rock Cockerel | $0.89 |
| Starlight Black Hen | $5.99 |
| Starlight Black Cockerel | $4.19 |
| Ameraucana Pair & Coop | $21.99 |
If you’re interested in buying chicks from Tractor Supply, there are some things you need to keep in mind. For example, you must be at least 18 or older to buy chicks from Tractor Supply. You may also need a permit depending on your local laws and ordinances.
How to Buy Chicks at Tractor Supply
If you’re looking for quality chickens to add to your backyard flock, Tractor Supply is a great place to buy them.
Not only do they carry a wide variety of breeds, but they also have knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right birds for your needs.
When shopping for chickens at Tractor Supply, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
Breed selection
First, be sure to select breeds that are well-suited for your climate and the amount of space you have available. You’ll also want to make sure that the chickens are healthy and free of parasites.
Age of the chickens
In addition, it’s important to consider the age of the chickens. Tractor typically carries chicks, pullets, and hens of various ages. Chicks and pullets are best suited for those who want to raise chickens primarily as a source of eggs.
If you’re aiming to start a larger flock, it’s probably wise to purchase hens that have already begun laying eggs.
While Tractor Supply only sells day-old chicks in the spring months, they do carry other breeds throughout the year, such as bearded heritage chickens and golden-laced Polish chickens.
If you do decide to buy chicks or pullets from Tractor Supply, be sure they receive proper care and handling at home. For example:
- Keep them warm through their first week by hanging a heat lamp over their area.
- Keep their water clean and plentiful by changing it several times a day.
- Feed them high-quality chick food until they are fully weaned.
Benefits Of Buying Chickens From Tractor Supply
1. 90 Day Return Policy
Chickens from Tractor Supply Co. come with a 90-day return policy, which means you can bring them back if no one hatches from the eggs.
This is a great convenience for those who are new to raising chickens and want to try out a few before they make a lifetime commitment.
If your hens don’t produce chicks, simply bring them back to the store and get another batch of fertilized eggs so you can start over again.
2. Easy assembly
Chickens from Tractor Supply Co. come easy to assemble that you won’t even need instructions.
Some customers have been known to put up their chicken coop just by looking at other customers’ photos of their coop on the Internet.
3. Comes with a backup coop in case your primary chicken house tips over
In case you lose your chicken coop to a disaster such as a tornado or a hurricane, chickens from Tractor Supply Co. come with a backup birdhouse that can easily be bolted to the ground during high winds.
Simply bring this second coop home and bolt it down next to your other one and switch all of your hens at once! You’ll never have to worry about them getting separated from their friends again.
4. Inexpensive
Chickens from Tractor Supply Co. are so inexpensive due to free shipping on orders over $50 when you use our online coupon codes found inside every catalog.
This means you buy two or more egg-laying hens and the cost of shipping is deducted at checkout, saving you hundreds of dollars on electric bills since you’ll be getting all of your eggs for free.
5. No more flystrike
Finally, chickens from Tractor Supply Co. are bred to not get “flystrike”, or manure stuck to their rear-ends.
This means that there’s no need to check them frequently so you can simply leave them in a small pen inside your house 24/7 without worrying about any unpleasant accidents.
Final Verdict
As you can see, the cost of chicks at Tractor Supply varies depending on the breed of chicken. Some breeds are more expensive than others.
However, regardless of the breed, chicks are always a great addition to any farm or homestead and they provide lots of fresh eggs for your family.
If you’re thinking about getting some chicks, be sure to do your research first to figure out which breed is best for your needs.