Second Thoughts and feed store chicks

[boogiedog]

Another great East Bay/SF CA feed store with great hatchery chicks is Close Feed in Hayward, off Industrial. They don't have a website but you can call and find out what breeds they have. They seem to get two deliveries per week - including turkeys. I also have found their feed, hay and supply prices to be the best in Bay Area - worth the drive. Small, not fancy by any stretch, but good stuff and healthy chicks. I've gotten my GL and SL Wyandottes, Welsummers, Jersey giants, Delaware and Australorp there. So far all appear to be pullets, and are definitely healthy.

 

[biddybird]

Our local feed stores get the chicks from Ideal. You can order straight from the hatchery if you want. Go online. If you want to buy from a private person there are alot on Craigslist.

 

[esthermgr]

Why not buy from a local breeder? There are bound to be others besides the one who closed. Shipping day-old chicks, whether to a feed store or to a home, always seemed to me like something we should avoid if we have other options. Stressful for the chicks, etc. If you do decide to buy from a feed store, I've read some very good common sense recs on here about paying attention to the brooder setup and health of the chicks at the store. If the staff seem knowledgeable and the birds seem healthy and well cared for, it's probably a safe bet. People have told horror stories on here of chicks in brooders without water, unattended-to pasty butt, etc. You'll probably be able to tell at a glance if they take good care of their chicks.

 

[Cluckhead]

I can't find a local breeder that has the ones I'm looking for. I drove for almost 2 hours (one way) for the first 4 I got from Ranch Hag Hens up in Petaluma (in a '68 VW!) so I'm willing to travel.

I would really prefer them to be at least 4-5 weeks but it's hard to find that here in the SF Bay Area. I'm not totally jazzed for chicks but if those are the breeds i'm looking for then that is what I have to do.

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[Cluckhead]

Well, I picked up my new little buddies last week. A week old Ameracauna, and a couple days old Maran and Orloff- all from Concord feed stores.

They're pretty cute- i think i'll keep 'em.

 

[Morgan7782]

I got my four chicks from a feed store here in Sacramento, after looking around and judging each feed store around. They get their chicks from Belt Hatchery, and I was very pleased with the condition of my chicks. I only got 1 boy out of 4, which I considered good odds. Mine are doing great and are healthy and happy