Bantams in SoCal

[Featherjunky]

I am looking for 4 bantam chicks. I considered ordering online but I can’t find anywhere that will sell only 4. Does anyone know of any feed stores or local hatcheries in Southern California that has a variety of bantam chicks? Ideally a place that will sex them before selling so we have a good chance at getting all hens, or a place that will take back a rooster because I am not allowed to own roosters in my city.

 

[joydix]

Bantams are usually not sexed because they r too tiny. There is one hatcheries that will sex them but…could do internal damage to those tiny birds.. not only could hat lead to laying issues but it is inhumane. Also unless you can get them from a hatchery that is close by the journey in itself is long and arduous especially with the post office issues now. I have gotten a few online from hatcheries and often times most of them don’t make it. It’s too hard watching them die one by one or opening the box with a bunch of dead birds in it. I have given up entirely on having bantams shipped. I buy hatching eggs from eBay and hatched those and I have had great success. And yes I can get some roosters. I have always been able to find homes for them and there is one feed store that will take roosters and they keep them until they sell. There are people who want them. So I don’t hatch very often because it’s also hard to find homes and it’s sad when I have a place that is so nice for them to bring them to A feed store where they are in a cage for unspecified time looking for a home. I know this is not what you wanted to hear but that’s my take on the whole situation.

 

[Featherjunky]

Bantams are usually not sexed because they r too tiny. There is one hatcheries that will sex them but…could do internal damage to those tiny birds.. not only could hat lead to laying issues but it is inhumane. Also unless you can get them from a hatchery that is close by the journey in itself is long and arduous especially with the post office issues now. I have gotten a few online from hatcheries and often times most of them don’t make it. It’s too hard watching them die one by one or opening the box with a bunch of dead birds in it. I have given up entirely on having bantams shipped. I buy hatching eggs from eBay and hatched those and I have had great success. And yes I can get some roosters. I have always been able to find homes for them and there is one feed store that will take roosters and they keep them until they sell. There are people who want them. So I don’t hatch very often because it’s also hard to find homes and it’s sad when I have a place that is so nice for them to bring them to A feed store where they are in a cage for unspecified time looking for a home. I know this is not what you wanted to hear but that’s my take on the whole situation.

Thanks for the help. I was not aware that sexing them can cause damage and definitely don’t want that. I also thought of the risk of having them shipped which is why I was hoping to find a feed store close by that I can get them from, but bantams are tough to find. I may have to give up the dream and go with 3 standard size.

 

[Windrider]

Where in So Cal? If you are in the L.A. or Long Beach area, Blacksmith's Corner on Lakewood Blvd has bantam chicks, though maybe not this time of year. They won't be sexed, though.

I got my bantam cochins from a show breeder as started pullets, they were the "rejects" that were not perfect enough to breed for show, but they were far better quality than most I've seen from hatcheries. That was many years ago, since the last two girls died last year at the age of 10. I went to a poultry show, I think at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds, and found exhibitors there who had pullets for sale. Some had hatching eggs for sale, and I think I might go that route this time around.

You can also try Craig's List. I am always surprised at how many chickens are listed there. You'll just have to know how to spot a cockerel, because I've seen some shady ads for "hens" that obviously weren't hens. And you don't know that they aren't sick, either.