If you’re a Californian who doesn’t know where to start, check our list of the best chicken hatchery in California, chicks for sale.
People buy chickens for numerous reasons. Some get them as pets, while others get them for breeding or eggs. Either way, it’s important to find good local hatcheries to ensure that you’re getting quality chickens.
At a Glance:
- Mill Valley Chickens – Best Overall
- Dare 2 Dream Farms – Runner-Up
- Amber Waves – Silkie Chicken Pick
- Belt Hatchery – Bulk Buying Choice
- OC Seramas – Seramas Pick
- California Hatchery – Best With Safe Arrival Guarantee
The 6 Best Chicken Hatchery In California in 2021
Now that you know there are plenty of options to buy chicks from, here’s a well-researched list of the best hatcheries in California and how they stand out among competitors.
1. Mill Valley Chickens – Best Overall
Mill Valley Chickens is the top choice in our list of hatcheries in California. This family-owned farming business offers everything that you could need from a high-quality chicken hatchery.
Based in Marin County, Northern California, Mill Valley Chickens hand raises backyard chickens in the cleanest, safest, and most natural conditions possible.
The brooder boxes are cleaned twice a day since the business doesn’t use wire flooring because it’d be unnatural for the chickens. Even better, all chicks are vaccinated at birth for Marek’s disease.
Furthermore, the chicks’ rooms are well ventilated and have natural lighting, windows, and a skylight. Plus, the chicks are fed organic food only. In terms of breed, there are abundant choices. There’s 90% sex accuracy, as well.
The only downside is that multiple breeds have limited availability.
Pros:
- Clean cages and hygienic conditions
- Clear about how they raise the chicks
- Chicks are raised on organic feed
- 90% sex accuracy
- All chicks are vaccinated at birth for Marek’s disease
- Countless choices of breeds
Cons:
- Multiple breeds have limited availability
Final Verdict
Mill Valley Chickens is where you go for happy and healthy heritage chickens in California.
2. Dare 2 Dream Farms – Runner-Up
The Dare 2 Dream Farms is an excellent alternative to our first choice. The family-owned farm sells chickens, coops, farm boxes, eggs, and more.
Based in Lompoc, the D2D Farms has provided farmers with everything they need while raising chickens for ten years. Like our first choice, D2D Farms stress the importance of raising chickens in a clean environment. All the chickens are also vaccinated at birth for Marek’s disease and NPIP certified.
The breed selection at the farm is impressive, offering around 38 breeds. Also, most breeds are already sexed and guaranteed to be female. Plus, the two-bird minimum order is suitable for everyone. Finally, the friendly and helpful customer service is a cherry on top.
The only disadvantage is that there isn’t a discount for buying in bulk.
Pros:
- All chicks are vaccinated at birth for Marek’s disease
- All chicks are NPIP certified
- Impeccable customer service
- Provide around 38 breeds
- Most breeds are sexed and guaranteed to be female
- Only a two-bird minimum
Cons:
- No apparent discount for purchasing in bulk
Final Verdict
Dare 2 Dream Farms is a worthy alternative to our top choice that raises high-quality chickens in hygienic environments.
3. Amber Waves – Silkie Chicken Pick
Amber Waves is a no-brainer choice for anyone looking for Silkies to buy. Since it specializes in this exotic breed, know that those chickens are getting exceptional attention and care.
Based in Norco, California, Amber Waves has produced award-winning Silkies for 38 years. These bearded bantam Silkie chickens are popular for multiple purposes, such as family pets, breeding, and fancy poultry shows.
The chickens are raised in clean spaces to ensure their happiness and survival. They’re also vaccinated for Marek’s disease. Plus, there’s only a two-bird minimum order.
However, they have two downsides. Firstly, there are no breeds other than Silkies. Secondly, it only ships chickens that are at least one month old.
Pros:
- Raise Silkies that are an exotic breed
- Only a two-bird minimum
- All chicks are vaccinated at birth for Marek’s disease
- All chickens are female
Cons:
- No other chicken breeds
- Only ships chickens that are at least one month old
Final Verdict
Amber Waves is the ideal destination for anyone looking for bearded bantam Silkie chickens.
4. Belt Hatchery – Bulk Buying Choice
The Belt Hatchery is our recommendation if you want to get a discounted price and the highest chance that your chickens will survive their shipping.
Based in Fresno, California, Belt Hatchery sells baby chicks divided into six standard breeds, five heavy ones, and 11 specialty ones, so you have a pool of choices to pick from.
Belt hatchery is a member of the California Farm Bureau, meaning that it’s constantly improving. In addition, the friendly customer service supports novice farmers earnestly.
However, the only downside is that there’s a minimum order of 25 chicks, so it’s not meant for people who only want to buy a handful.
Pros:
- Six standard breeds, five heavy ones, and 11 specialty ones
- Impeccable customer service
Cons:
- Minimum order of 25 chicks
Final Verdict
Belt Hatchery is the place to go if you want to buy high-quality baby chicks in bulk.
5. OC Seramas – Seramas Pick
OC Seramas is the perfect place to get your 100% true Malaysian Seramas from. Sometimes, it sells established show birds to get the most out of these small yet beautiful and proud chickens.
The Serama, the smallest chicken breed in the world, can be a friendly indoor or outdoor pet. Even better, its colorful feathers and puffy chest make it an excellent show bird. Fortunately, OC Seramas makes pullets, hens, cockerels, and cocks available year-round so that you can get them whenever you want.
However, Seramas are the only chickens at OC Seramas. Plus, OC Seramas doesn’t sell eggs or chicks.
Pros:
- Pullets, hens, cockerels, and cocks are available year-round
- Raises Seramas that can be show birds
Cons:
- No other chicken breeds
- Doesn’t sell eggs or chicks
Final Verdict
OC Seramas is the perfect destination to get 100% true Malaysian Seramas from.
6. California Hatchery – Best With Safe Arrival Guarantee
The California Hatchery is an ideal option for anyone who wants to have the possibility to replace or refund chickens that don’t survive the shipment process.
You’ll find day-old chicks, brown egg-laying chickens, white egg-laying chickens, rare breeds, silkies, bantams, and more. There’s only a three-bird minimum if you don’t want to crowd your backyard. More importantly, there’s a safe arrival guarantee. It also has a cancellation policy.
That being said, the chickens do cost more at California Hatchery than most, which may push farmers on a budget away. However, it’s worth it when you consider the quality of the chickens.
Pros:
- Only a three-bird minimum
- Variety of options including rare breeds, silkies, and bantams
- Offers a safe arrival guarantee
- Cancellation policy
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Final Verdict
The California Hatchery is our favorite chicken hatchery that offers a safe arrival guarantee.
How to Pick a Chicken Hatchery In California
You know that you’re searching for a chicken hatchery in California, but do you know how to choose one? Even if you’re an expert in raising chicks, it never hurts to know what to consider before making a purchase.
Hatchery Reputation
By now, we’ve all seen some disturbing videos about how chicks are raised in dirty and overcrowded hatcheries. This may cause the raising of diseased and wounded chickens. So, there are many controversies in the hatchery world.
You can stay on the safe side by dealing with established hatcheries that are 100% transparent about their practices, policies, and procedures. If you’re buying online and can’t see the hatchery and chicks for yourself, ask around about each hatchery that you encounter.
Availability Date
Chicks aren’t always available year-round because most hens stop laying eggs when they get little daylight, less than twelve hours, to be exact. So instead of producing eggs, hens rest in cold weather.
So, expect to find that some hatcheries won’t have chicks available for shipping in winter. However, if the hatchery you have in mind ships in winter, it’ll probably ship more chicks together to ensure that they stay warm.
Total Cost per Chick
There’s no fixed price for chicks in every hatchery. There are too many variables at stake, such as the season, location, sex, age, number of birds, and the hatchery you choose.
Also, each hatchery has a certain range for each breed. Common breeds cost far less than exotic ones. High demand leads to higher prices, as well.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve reached this point, you’re now familiar with different hatchery options and the factors to consider before buying your chicks. That being said, here are the highlights of our best chicken hatchery in California.
Our top recommendation is the Mill Valley Chickens; it’s where you’d go if you want a place that checks all the boxes for a high-quality chicken hatchery.
If you need a wider selection of breeds with impeccable customer service, the Dare 2 Dream Farms would be your go!
If you want a specialized hatchery to buy the exotic Silkie breed from, your choice would be Amber Waves. However, if the show bird Sesame is your need, then go for OC Seramas.
Belt hatchery will be your fit if you’re aiming to buy in bulk, while California hatchery is for people who need a safe arrival guarantee.
