Good Hatchery/Breeder for shipping small orders? (to Northern Calif)

[ezeo]

I want to get just four chicks. I'm most interested in Spitzhauben and Lakenvelder breeds. I know Meyer and MyPetChicken sell them, but am worried about shipping such a small order all the way across the country.
Are there hatcheries/breeders in the West Coast with these breeds so they don't have to travel as far?

The other idea is to order 15 chicks (for safer shipping), raise them until they start laying, keep a few and sell the rest. Has anyone been successful with this strategy? What is the easiest breed to sell if I want to rehome extra hens?

 

[FluffTheDuck]

I’m pretty sure all of California has canceled their chicken orders from hatcherys and are unable to ship or buy— there is an outbreak of Newcastle’s disease

 

[FluffTheDuck]

I want to get just four chicks. I'm most interested in Spitzhauben and Lakenvelder breeds. I know Meyer and MyPetChicken sell them, but am worried about shipping such a small order all the way across the country.
Are there hatcheries/breeders in the West Coast with these breeds so they don't have to travel as far?

The other idea is to order 15 chicks (for safer shipping), raise them until they start laying, keep a few and sell the rest. Has anyone been successful with this strategy? What is the easiest breed to sell if I want to rehome extra hens?

I’ve been successfully with that strategy

 

[Norcal527]

I’m pretty sure all of California has canceled their chicken orders from hatcherys and are unable to ship or buy— there is an outbreak of Newcastle’s disease

No just Los Angeles and surrounding area. I'm in Northern California and received 17 chicks from Murray McMurray this morning.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I’m pretty sure all of California has canceled their chicken orders from hatcherys and are unable to ship or buy— there is an outbreak of Newcastle’s disease

Only in certain zip codes... all deliveries are still taking place here pretty far north. All 3 of my LFS have chick right now!

On the coast at the Cal/Or border here... ordered from both those hatcheries... All chicks get a 7 hour truck ride from SF airport to me... Meyers birds were stronger in my experience than MPC.

Many people do sell off extra chicks, juveniles off heat, and layers. For me sooner I have a smaller stock load the better! In fact I would NEVER buy birds already on someone else's pasture... to much chance for parasites or disease that hasn't presented itself yet.

Also... being closer does not always equal better birds... according to my local feed store who recently changed to a closer hatchery.

I WOULD buy from Meyers again! But also, my LFS WILL add requested breeds to their orders if asked, if the hatchery they are using carries them.

You can check facebook or Craigslist farm and garden section for local birds... ask lot's of questions... Any shadiness or vagueness, RUN! But with some discernment good birds can be found there sometimes!

Good luck!

 

[Ryder]

Only in certain zip codes... all deliveries are still taking place here pretty far north. All 3 of my LFS have chick right now!

On the coast at the Cal/Or border here... ordered from both those hatcheries... All chicks get a 7 hour truck ride from SF airport to me... Meyers birds were stronger in my experience than MPC.

Many people do sell off extra chicks, juveniles off heat, and layers. For me sooner I have a smaller stock load the better! In fact I would NEVER buy birds already on someone else's pasture... to much chance for parasites or disease that hasn't presented itself yet.

Also... being closer does not always equal better birds... according to my local feed store who recently changed to a closer hatchery.

I WOULD buy from Meyers again! But also, my LFS WILL add requested breeds to their orders if asked, if the hatchery they are using carries them.

You can check facebook or Craigslist farm and garden section for local birds... ask lot's of questions... Any shadiness or vagueness, RUN! But with some discernment good birds can be found there sometimes!

Good luck!

Cackle hatchery has them both they have two variteyds of the spitz the silver and gold laced. They do ship but when they do ship they almost always send extras twoooo

 

[ezeo]

On the coast at the Cal/Or border here... ordered from both those hatcheries... All chicks get a 7 hour truck ride from SF airport to me... Meyers birds were stronger in my experience than MPC.

How long did it take for Meyers birds to arrive at SFO? I am about 3 hours from the airport. Did you have them hold your order at the airport?

Many people do sell off extra chicks, juveniles off heat, and layers. For me sooner I have a smaller stock load the better! In fact I would NEVER buy birds already on someone else's pasture... to much chance for parasites or disease that hasn't presented itself yet.

What is the best age to sell extras? I thought it would be easier to sell layers, but I can see how people would be paranoid about the disease risk of a pastured bird, versus a chick from a clean brooder.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

What is the easiest breed to sell if I want to rehome extra hens?

You know, I feel like guaranteed pullets of rare or more exotic breeds would sell really fast from someone (at least somewhat) local.

 

[ezeo]

You know, I feel like guaranteed pullets of rare or more exotic breeds would sell really fast from someone (at least somewhat) local.

It depends on local taste, I think. Silkies seem to be popular over here, but I think they look ridiculous (no offense, Silkie people). Thought it might be safer to go with generic Leghorns or something.

 

[Ryder]

It depends on local taste, I think. Silkies seem to be popular over here, but I think they look ridiculous (no offense, Silkie people). Thought it might be safer to go with generic Leghorns or something.

have you checked out cackle hatchery they can ship as little as 3 chicks but if you only buy 14 or less they have a $20 fee for warm purpose but just looked at their website the lakevender breed is a 5 start rating