At Nate's Chicks, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact. We use eco-friendly farming practices, such as composting and solar-powered farm, to ensure that our land remains healthy for generations to come.
At Nate's Chicks are dedicated to providing our customers with the highest-quality homegrown chicken meat . That's why we carefully monitor every step of the production process, from hatchery to processing, to ensure that our birds are healthy, happy, and of the utmost quality.
We support local businesses, so we partner with local restaurants & food trucks to bring you the freshest, most delicious poultry products possible. We are proud to be a part of the local community and to support other small businesses in the area.
Raising poultry can be rewarding, challenging, and deeply educational—but only if you have the right information. At Nate’s Chicks, we believe good poultry education should be honest, practical, and based on real experience, not guesswork or trends.
Founded through a 7th-grade FFA project and grown into a family-owned business, Nate’s Chicks is built on hands-on learning, responsible practices, and a commitment to helping others succeed with poultry—whether you’re raising a few backyard hens or exploring small-scale production.
This education hub is designed to answer the most common questions people ask about raising chickens, eggs, meat birds, and poultry regulations—especially here in California.
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Getting Started with Poultry
New to chickens? You’re not alone. Many people start with excitement and quickly feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice.
In this section, we cover:
How many chickens beginners should start with
What supplies you actually need (and what you don’t)
Space, time, and cost realities
Common beginner mistakes—and how to avoid them
Our goal is to help you start confidently and responsibly, with realistic expectations.
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Eggs & Egg Laying
Egg production is one of the most common reasons people raise chickens—and also one of the biggest sources of confusion.
Learn about:
Why hens stop laying eggs
Seasonal egg changes
Egg safety and handling
California egg-handling requirements and permits
Whether you raise eggs for your family or for sale, understanding egg production is essential.
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Raising Meat Birds
Raising chickens for meat is very different from raising egg layers. It requires planning, preparation, and honesty about the process.
Topics include:
Best meat birds for small flocks
How long it takes to raise meat chickens
Feed, growth, and cost considerations
Ethical and humane practices
We share realistic insights so you can decide if raising meat birds is right for you.
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Poultry Processing & Ethics
Processing poultry is a topic many people are curious about—but few talk about openly.
This section provides:
An overview of poultry processing options
Legal considerations, including USDA exemptions
Ethical responsibilities and animal welfare
What to think through before deciding to process birds
This information is shared for educational awareness, not instruction, and is grounded in respect for both animals and people.
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California Poultry Rules & Permits
Poultry laws vary widely by state, county, and city. California has specific requirements that every poultry keeper should understand.
Here we explain:
Local vs state regulations
Egg handler permits
Selling eggs or poultry to the public
Supplying restaurants and food trucks
Our mission is simple: help people raise poultry responsibly, confidently, and ethically—while feeding families and strengthening local food systems.
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Ready to Learn More?
Explore the articles within each section, or follow along as we continue adding practical poultry education based on real questions people are asking every day.
If you’re interested in workshops, resources, or learning opportunities, stay connected—we’re just getting started.
We offer a variety of products including eggs, chicken, turkey, and duck. All of our products are locally sourced and free-range. We believe that happy and healthy birds produce the best products.
We offer tours of our farm for anyone interested in learning more about the poultry industry. During the tour, you will get to see our birds up close and learn about our farming practices.
Have a question about our farm? Check out our frequently asked questions page for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
Meet our team of farmers and staff who work hard every day to ensure that our farm runs smoothly and our birds are well taken care of.
Have a question or want to place an order? Contact us today and we will be happy to assist you.
We are a family-owned and operated farm that has been producing high-quality poultry for over 50 years. Our birds are raised in a natural and humane environment, and we take pride in providing our customers with the freshest and healthiest poultry available.