Chicks near Los Angeles?

[BarkerChickens]

Just FYI on Red Wing Hatchery. I was going to use them since they are so close, but there address is the only thing in Lancaster.

The chicks are actually in Texas. Just thought I'd throw it out there in case someone is preferring locally raised chicks.

 

[Lady Henevere]

There are chicks all around -- all I had to do is ask. This is awesome.

I made some calls today based on everyone's input (thank you so much!) and here's what I found:

Midway, suggested by GardeNerd, has several breeds available right now
Kendall, suggested by BarkerChickens, has a couple of breeds available and is getting more throughout the month.
Pomona Feed Store answered the phone with something like "Whaddayawant?!?" I heard a lot of chirping in the background, but when I asked if I had reached a feed store the guy hung up. Go figure. (Perhaps I dialed the wrong number...?)

I called Red Wing Hatchery and left a message, and a very nice woman called me back. She said they are located in the Antelope Valley (I didn't think to ask whether the chicks were there too!), but they are sold out until May. She offered to give me the names of some of the places near me that often order chicks from her:

Cooper Hardware in Sylmar -- I called and they have several breeds available right now.
Red Barn Feed in Tarzana
East Valley Feed and Tack in Sun Valley -- usually gets chicks after Easter

Google any of these places and you will find the location and phone number.

The stores generally had ameraucanas, barred rocks, RIRs, white leghorns, and sex-links. I didn't ask about special orders.

Thanks again for all the great info! If I find out more I will post it.

 

[PotterWatch]

Sadly I'm not surprised by the person answering the phone at the Pomona store

. They are not so great on the phone and the store tends to be a bit loud, so it's hard for them to hear. I get really good service when I go in though.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Quote:
Kendall Feed is also getting Welsummer pullets in around mid-April!

 

[GardeNerd]

I got my Buff Orpington pulllet at Pomona Feed and Fuel in the beginning of Feb. I was not impressed at all with the place, so I am not suprised by the poor customer service reported by Lady Henevere. There were teenagers running the place when I went in. They were in no hurry to help answer my questions or help the other two shoppers in there either. The chicks were stacked high in cage upon cage and it was kind of dark. It is not my first choice in feed stores because of this experience. Their prices were inexpensive for the chicks, $3.00 for the Buff Orp.

I got my 3 day old Buff at Pomona Feed because my kids hatched a grocery store e g g and only one. The chick was constantly chirping, lonely, and needed another chick for companionship. I called around the OC and LA area to find a chicky close in age and of a breed I wanted. Our hatchery order wouldn't be here for another 10 days and that was too long for the singleton. They were the only ones with one even close. They couldn't answer my question about what hatchery they used. Go figure. The shipment arrived that morning.

Nevertheless, we do love our Buff Orpington. She is curious and friendly and no signs of being a rooster at 8+ weeks old.

editing because I can't spell

 

[Kimiko]

B&E Feed in Norco has chicks (rotating breeds--call for availability).

for silkies and other breeds:
http://hamandeggsranch.com/live/main/main.htm

They are also in Norco. The owner was very nice about e-mail inquiries and said she should have silkies

I'm going to try and at least get the new coop built first....

 

[Lady Henevere]

I got some chicks! I went to Cooper Hardware in Sylmar. They didn't have much in the way of chick supplies, but they had chicks! We got one Easter egger, a barred rock, and a white leghorn. I'm hoping to add a Welsummer after Kendall Feed gets some in.

Thanks again for all the good info here -- I'm so excited about finally being a chicken owner!

 

[BarkerChickens]

Congrats on the new chicks!

I haven't had a leghorn, but I have only heard great things about the breed. I have barred Rocks and Easter Eggers and I LOVE them!

I too am waiting for the Welsummers at Kendall feed! I called him this morning and he said they are scheduled to come on the 23rd and recommends waiting until the 25th (Saturday) to let the chicks get over the shipping stress (that is the weak ones will die too). I am so excited!

 

[2greenboyz]

I am posting on this thread because it is the most recent discussion on where to get chicks. I just went through a bad experience - I used to have six hens but due to age I am down to two, only one of which was laying. DH wanted to get more, 4 or 5 more. I could not find pullets (did not want to chance a roo or bother with chicks). We ended up at Blacksmiths due to some "positive" posts on BYC. BAD MOVE!! Two of the pullets we bought there (we got four) had a respiratory illness which did not want to clear after several days of treatment. The other two I bought there seem fine so far. Blacksmiths will not do refunds after two days. Blacksmiths will take them back and treat them, but you loose all rights to the bird - it is a "donation". One had been factory (?) debeaked. I really hated to give her up she was such a sweetie, but I know it was best for my flock. It is interesting that after explaining symptoms to the lady that supposedly treats them, she marked the receipt "donation" and she wrote that the birds were not sick!! They WERE. Both of them.

The thing with Blacksmiths is they have no way to keep wild birds from contact with their birds. It is covered, yes, with chain link which most wild birds go right through. They cannot even tell you what the source was for the bird. It is likely returned birds like mine are thrown right back into the pen with the rest and resold. It is a shame - unsuspecting people like me come along and don't realize what they are buying. All kinds of nasty diseases and it can take out your entire flock in days, and they take no responsibility. I actually saw birds with bare chests, pecked on combs, weepy eyes, ragged feathers. And they are not cheap. $16 for a pullet. Someone posted about Midway City Feed. Next time I'm going to be buying chicks from them, I've been there. If its a roo they will buy it back. IMO Blacksmith's is totally irresponsible and unethical and I will never go back there.

 

[BarkerChickens]

I know it is a bit of a drive, but Kendall Feed in San Bernardino is great! Dennis, the guy who owns the place, knows a TON about chickens too! We've gotten 11 chickens from there over the years and not a single one has gotten ill or died.

Edited to fix typo