California Hatchery

[TinaG]

The only thing that interested me in their breeds offered for sale were the Austra Whites. But after I saw the tripled prices I absolutely crossed California Hatchery off my list. For example, Black Copper Marans $29.99, which I'm sure is cheap for show quality birds, but not what I'd expect to pay for my future backyard flock.

I love the "About Us" section of the website - "We love to talk! We're not afraid to talk to you." But as BrewMonkey pointed out there's nothing that indicates who they are. Even with online shopping, I like to put a name and face with a service provider - especially one that is selling living creatures. Show me some photos of your operation and how you handle your chicks and I might be willing to pay a little more.

 

[Joe.G]

Love to talk they don't even have a Tele #.

 

[CAjerseychick]

I do have a number for them if anyone is interested. I bought into the free shipping for 15 chick minimum order. And the fact that they are local. Am nervous about it though-- my first order arrive July 11 or 12 so will post how it goes.....

 

[Joe.G]

Please do follow up and if you can post there Number here. Thanks

 

[CAjerseychick]

Please do follow up and if you can post there Number here. Thanks

Order arrived yesterday in great condition! 15 healthy little chicks-- hatched 5am 7/10(its on the shipping box) and PO called me 7am on 7/11-- 26 hrs from egg to brooder not bad!
I think it makes a difference that 1) its an actual Hatchery (My Pet Chicken remember is a broker/ ordering hub they dont hatch anything) that is 2) local - to me-- about 60 or 80 miles away but they only ship out (or I would have gone to them and picked up)...
I think one reason they aren't great about customer service is because they ran into trouble with some Animal Rights group(PETA?) that doesnt believe in mass producing anything -- I think that to be a Hatchery by definition you will be mass-- producing-- or we wouldnt be able to order chicks! Its probably one reason they dont answer their phone-- I think they answered one time -- Responses are prompt via email just be specific with your query-- they are great emailing and fixed my order twice once when I ordered 1 chick, then ordered 15 roosters EEEK by mistake--I wanted 15 pullets!-- and refunded me the difference fine-- the shipping on 1 chick was more than for 15 pullets(free shipping for 15chicks)
Hopefully everything goes to plan, I wont have to order "mass produced" chicks and will be getting my own chicks the old fashioned way next year....
Here's their phone number--530-413-8257, I think I got it off of one of their service emails to me!

 

[capsicum]

--I wanted 15 pullets!-- ... Hopefully everything goes to plan, I wont have to order "mass produced" chicks and will be getting my own chicks the old fashioned way next year...

I'm a bit curious how your plan is going to accomplish that.

 

[CAjerseychick]

I'm a bit curious how your plan is going to accomplish that.

Having the hens hatch their own chicks! Of Course! I only "ordered" b/c I was having trouble finding a local source of chicks/ pullets for the time I had vacation time off of work to start them off... Also now that I am more up on chicken contacts I found local sources for this breed, and tons of others off Craigslist as well...Hoping with 19 birds I will get one broody hen and some chicks.... But its for fun they are pets so I am not stressed.

 

[guesswhatchickenbutt]

But isn't California Hatchery the ONLY place online where you can purchase as little as 3 sexed chicks AND pick out which breed you want (all different) for all three chicks? Everywhere else I've found that has low minimums only lets you order 3 or 4 chicks of the same breed. Am I wrong? I guess that's what the high price is all about

 

[CAjerseychick]

But isn't California Hatchery the ONLY place online where you can purchase as little as 3 sexed chicks AND pick out which breed you want (all different) for all three chicks? Everywhere else I've found that has low minimums only lets you order 3 or 4 chicks of the same breed. Am I wrong? I guess that's what the high price is all about

They are a bit expensive. The 3 mixed chick thing is certainly convenient but I worry about the safety of 3 chicks shipping, I think there is more safety in numbers (love your Ename GWCB!)....

 

[EpicBlueAcres]

Just placed an order with them (worth the extra $ to get just the birds i want) not very happy. Before i ordered i emailed them ti find out the ship date, was told April 4th, so i placed an order. After spending $100 on 5 birds I get an email that they won't be shipping until the end of July. I am to busy with the farm in the summer to devote the time baby chicks need. I tried calling the # listed in an above post and just got a recording which said to email them