So a couple of points to consider.
This design is not new or innovative. This is a take on a commercial brooder that has been around for many years. It’s a bit dressed up with material type. I would also surmise that unlike the commercial design that is generally more open without plexi, the plexi will make keeping drafts away easier.
“Tank” brooders are not perfect either. As we all know, cold settles to the floor. Concrete is a big cold sink. Fluid thermodynamics and all.
Before we start trying crucify TSC. The do provide a service that others do not. To expect perfection in any retail setting is to not know retail. They will try to do what they can, at the end of the day, its about numbers and people. The last of which is the wildest of cards.
I think a couple of things are at play here.
Disease and stress can and do happen. This can easily lead to higher mortality. I disagree with Shaw’s approach. He makes quite a few claims that have little or no data to back it up.
Further, consider customers. The average tractor supply chick days customer is a hobbyist. This means while some have knowledge, most don’t have that much actual experience or education. The internet is great for some education but not everything there is accurate.
Birds- The very nature of birds make them sensitive. Much more than mammals. Compare wildlife mortality. Domesticated species enjoy a much higher possibility of making it.
Finally, we as humans have a really hard time separating pets from food. With that comes the reality that food and pets are not always going to have the same expectations. With food, there will be acceptable losses. Having worked on a commercial chicken operation I’ve seen it with my own eyes and picked up dead. 15 to 20 per house per day dead or cull. Average house had 7500 birds. We had 7 houses. On the other hand, as pets we expect no dead or cull. We set the unreasonable reality that things will work out. Anyone who has owned chickens knows that to not be the case. People never stop having that expectation though.