California Grey's

[stumpknocker]

Hello. Does anyone know of a good breeder in NorCal or an online hatchery that sells California grey chicks or pullers where you don't have to buy a whole flock of birds?

 

[dekel18042]

Hello. Does anyone know of a good breeder in NorCal or an online hatchery that sells California grey chicks or pullers where you don't have to buy a whole flock of birds?

I see that Stromburg's Hatchery online (1-800-720-1134), not sure where it is located ,has some for sale. They ship. California Grey's are hard to find, but if you can add a few to your flock you won't be disappointed. I was able to pick up a few last spring and I am very pleased. They're not big birds although they're listed as dual purpose, but once they started laying last fall they haven't taken a break. I got them because I thought the white eggs in a carton would make the other colors "pop."
They lay decent sized eggs (Mine are still only 8 months' old) and have an excellent feed to egg ratio. Although mine are tame and friendly, they're also very observant and cautious in free ranging situations. They can fly but that can be a plus or minus depending on where you live. I plan to pick up a few more this spring.

 

[donrae]

Ideal has production blacks, basically the same thing. Not sure if they're what you're wanting. Ideal does smaller orders, but beware they use packing peanuts (extra cockerels) for warmth unless you pay extra charges for heat packs. You'd want to talk to them about how many birds you want.

 

[dekel18042]

Ideal has production blacks, basically the same thing. Not sure if they're what you're wanting. Ideal does smaller orders, but beware they use packing peanuts (extra cockerels) for warmth unless you pay extra charges for heat packs. You'd want to talk to them about how many birds you want.

Lots of the small flocks in our area contain production blacks (and reds) and mixes thereof, but everyone I am familiar with lays an egg in some shade of brown while the California greys lay a white egg which is why I wanted them, to add another color to my egg basket.
I was going to add a black or two to my flock this spring only because everyone is telling me I need at least one and to up my egg average per hen but I am also adding some more California greys because of the number of eggs they lay (They're nudging out my Easter Eggers for best layers.) and for some breeding projects I have in mind.

 

[stumpknocker]

Yes, California Black is the same as California Grey from my understanding, and I checked out Ideal and they carry them. All the the chickens in my flock save the d'uccles lay brown eggs, so this would be a nice white egg laying addition.

 

[stumpknocker]

Thanks for all your help. I was able to locate a series of stores in the SF east bay called concord feed. They have chick shipping schedules and by happenstance the Dublin store had a shipment with California greys coming in today. Only two greys, so I took both.

 

[gootziecat]

Privett is the only hatchery that sells the original California Grey line. I tend to do "rabbit trails", so since I have a California White that is my very best pullet, decided to try the Greys. I have some coming from Privett this spring.

 

[stumpknocker]

Pick of Two Greys at ~3 weeks