Special to The Leader

The birds are back in town! That’s right, Tractor Supply Co., the nation’s largest rural lifestyle retailer, is now offering a Fall Chick Days and it’s coming to the Tractor Supply store in Orange.

Now through Oct. 23, customers will have the opportunity to purchase baby chicks and ducklings from the Orange Tractor Supply store.

“The popularity of raising backyard poultry has continued to grow year after year,” said Sandra Segrest, manager of the Orange Tractor Supply store. “The quality of the eggs and the convenience that comes along with getting them from your backyard is something that has families really excited.”

Lisa Steele, author of the popular backyard chicken website Fresh Eggs Daily and contributor for Tractor Supply’s Know How Central, says there’s no seasonal drawbacks to starting a fall flock — in fact, it tends to have its benefits.

“Baby chicks require about eight weeks of heat to keep them warm while they grow in their feathers and lose their baby fluff,” said Steele. “By purchasing them during the fall, you’re allowing just the right amount of time for your chicks to mature, that way, when the temperature drops they won’t need any supplemental heat to stay warm.”

But that’s not even the best part — according to Steele, a fall flock will start laying right after the new year, which is perfect timing since your older layers will still be on their winter hiatus.

When it comes to raising backyard poultry, customers can consider Tractor Supply a one-stop shop. All items needed, including starter kits, feeders, bedding, heat bulbs and lamps, coops and more, can be found at their local store. And for the poultry enthusiast, an expanded selection of poultry products is available on tractorsupply.com.

For expert information on safe handling and care for poultry, building a chicken coop, and more, visit TractorSupply.com/Chicks.

At June 25, 2016, Tractor Supply Company operated 1,542 stores in 49 states. The Company’s stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company offers the following comprehensive selection of merchandise: (1) equine, livestock, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment; (2) hardware, truck, towing and tool products; (3) seasonal products, including heating, lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys; (4) work/recreational clothing and footwear; and (5) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use.