Reputable hatcheries in Southern California?

[socalchickens76]

Hi all,

I live in San Diego and am looking for recommendations for reputable hatcheries in Southern California. I purchased my first flock (6 hens) from a local breeder in 2020 and 2 of them (both Wyandottes) have already died from reproductive issues. As a result, I'm looking for high quality, heritage breed chickens. I don't need prolific layers. I'd rather have healthier chickens that give me less eggs but live longer.

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

 

[greylee]

I don't recommend Hilltop Farms right now. I bought from them because it seemed like they had several good reviews, but 4 out of 5 of my chicks from them died.
I've never purchased from backyardchickies in San Diego before but I've heard good things and I've communicated with the owner before and she seemed really nice. Might want to check them out. https://www.backyardchickies.com/

 

[BurbMum]

Hi! I’m in L.A. and got my first batch of hens from Dare2Dream Farms in Lompoc. They are NPIP certified, vaccinate for Marek’s, avian flu tested, will take back accidental roos (we did have to send one back) and they hand-deliver. There are some other folks on here that didn’t have such a great experience though… we’ve only had them since October 2022, but everyone’s healthy and laying now.

I got our second batch from Hilltop Farms in Corona two weeks ago, but so far I can’t recommend. The people seemed nice enough and their socials are great but I’ve lost one chick so far and the others are just not doing so hot.

I’m watching this thread to see if anyone else has suggestions for SoCal hatcheries.

 

[aliris]

watching too! I bought two laying hens from Blacksmith's Corner, not a hatchery, in Lakewood and the "results" are not great.... I am regretting not finding a more speciality breeder.

I've heard good things about these folks, and am sorry not to have bought from her, price or no... https://buckaboofarm.com/

 

[SundaysChild]

Hi! I’m in L.A. and got my first batch of hens from Dare2Dream Farms in Lompoc. They are NPIP certified, vaccinate for Marek’s, avian flu tested, will take back accidental roos (we did have to send one back) and they hand-deliver. There are some other folks on here that didn’t have such a great experience though… we’ve only had them since October 2022, but everyone’s healthy and laying now.

I got our second batch from Hilltop Farms in Corona two weeks ago, but so far I can’t recommend. The people seemed nice enough and their socials are great but I’ve lost one chick so far and the others are just not doing so hot.

I’m watching this thread to see if anyone else has suggestions for SoCal hatcheries.

I purchased 4 chicks from Hilltop in April. 3 died within 3 days. I filled out their loss form, never heard anything. I had preordered 6 in March, ended up cancelling order and took it as a loss. Vet does not recommend them.

 

[Skalabs]

Hi all,

I live in San Diego and am looking for recommendations for reputable hatcheries in Southern California. I purchased my first flock (6 hens) from a local breeder in 2020 and 2 of them (both Wyandottes) have already died from reproductive issues. As a result, I'm looking for high quality, heritage breed chickens. I don't need prolific layers. I'd rather have healthier chickens that give me less eggs but live longer.

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

I've purchased my chickens from Dare2Dream in Lompoc. I've only bought coop ready or pullets, so I can't speak of their chicks. My first order was delivered to me in OC. Back then they delivered all the way to San Diego! For my second batch, they only delivered south to LA due to the (chicken) quarantine, so they were dropped off at my partner's house. My most recent delivery was a few weeks ago, and they no longer deliver south of LA County, so I had them again delivered to my partner's house. (She loves the chickens!) The delivery is great, and they'll walk them directly to your run or coop! I lost one hen in the first 24 hours on the first two deliveries, but they all seemed healthy. The new batch seems fine 3 weeks in without any problems and doing really well. I will buy my next group from them again. BTW, Martin was the guy who delivered them at least the last two times, and he was awesome!

 

[socalchickens76]

What did you decide ? Did you buy from her again? I feel so torn to buy from her because a cpl yelp reviews said her chickens had merek (sp?) disease and ruined all their other chickens because of it and died.

I decided to buy from an online hatchery. We ordered four chicks from Mt Healthy. They arrive this week.

 

[debbier98]

Hi, I live in Lancaster California (high desert), and over the years I have tried almost every local chicken hatchery. Some better than others. But the most consistent for quality and health for chicks I've gotten from Cackle hatchery. Yes, at times it can be kind of inconvenient to have to go to the post office to pickup my chicks when they arrive, but well worth it. I've yet to be disappointed in Cackle's service and quality of stock.

 

[Kaliforniamac]

Hi! I’m in L.A. and got my first batch of hens from Dare2Dream Farms in Lompoc. They are NPIP certified, vaccinate for Marek’s, avian flu tested, will take back accidental roos (we did have to send one back) and they hand-deliver. There are some other folks on here that didn’t have such a great experience though… we’ve only had them since October 2022, but everyone’s healthy and laying now.

I got our second batch from Hilltop Farms in Corona two weeks ago, but so far I can’t recommend. The people seemed nice enough and their socials are great but I’ve lost one chick so far and the others are just not doing so hot.

I’m watching this thread to see if anyone else has suggestions for SoCal hatcheries.

Keep me posted

 

[socalchickens76]

I purchased my first six chickens from Renee at backyardchickies in May 2020 and two of my six have died. Both of them were Wyandottes and both died from reproductive issues. The other four have been healthy (except one died from a bobcat attack so we only have three now). I know a few other people who have purchased Wyandottes from her as well and they also died within the first years unexpectedly. Something seems wrong with her line of Wyandottes. The others we got from her (Buff, Barred Rock, Black Australorp and Easter Egger all have been healthy). Because of that I'm debating on whether I should get more from her or not (and just stay away from her Wyandottes).