The 9 Best Chicken Hatcheries in New Jersey

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When it comes to keeping livestock on the homestead, one of your very best choices is chickens. These birds are cheap, extremely productive in terms of meat and eggs, and very easy to keep compared to larger livestock species…

baby chicks inside brooder with heat lamp and feeder
baby chicks inside brooder with heat lamp and feeder

Today, chickens are more available than ever, and you don’t have to go any farther than your local major farm store chain to find chicks for sale. However, I’ve found that you’ll invariably get better, healthier, and often much cooler birds by buying directly from a hatchery.

Whether you want birds from a proven lineage or just exotic breeds that you can’t get anywhere else, these 9 New Jersey hatcheries are some of the best in the business. We will get right into them below.

Red Valley Ranch

Red Valley Ranch is one of the main farms and hatcheries in NJ. Located in Millstone, they host parties and events, offer horseback riding lessons, have an on-site petting zoo, and of course, sell lots and lots of chickens.

Whether you want dependable utility birds like Jerseys, Plymouth Rocks, and Easter Eggers or rarer breeds like Bielefelders, they’ve got you covered.

One quick note: they don’t keep a current inventory of breeds on their website above, but you can click through the link there to get to their Facebook page which does have a current inventory.

Inquire there and they can make arrangements for pick-up at your preference. They do not ship eggs, chicks, or older birds at this time!

South Jersey Farms

Located in Marlton, South Jersey Farms is a large and highly productive seller of all kinds of farm animals, not just chickens.

If you want Guinea fowl, peacocks, rabbits, sheep, and more, they have them. They also have a rotating selection of organically fed and lovingly raised chicks, chickens, and fertilized eggs.

South Jersey Farms can supply any amount of birds you might need, whether it’s just a couple for your first backyard flock or dozens, enough to start your own farm or hatchery.

They have been in business for years, and customers rave about them in their reviews. They take wonderful care of all of their animals, and you can expect to get chickens in peak health if you buy from them.

You’ll have to give them a call to see what breeds they have on hand, but based on my interactions, they’ll have a good selection of trusty standbys and specialty birds at any given time.

New Jersey Chickens

Sellers of fertilized eggs, chicks, and started pullets all year round, New Jersey Chickens, located in Andover, has developed a dedicated following from chicken lovers just like us.

Very responsive and easy to work with, the owners are highly knowledgeable about all of the breeds that they raise, and they will also sex birds for you once they reach a certain age if you’d rather avoid getting a rooster—or if you know you want a rooster!

They generally specialize in an eclectic lineup of birds, including known favorites like Orpingtons, Olive Eggers, Silkies, and Polish, and also rarer birds like the Death Layer and the nearly extinct Brabanter.

Sourland Farm

A sure recipe for success in all businesses is to do one thing and do it really, really well. Sourland Farm took that to heart and specializes in Rhode Island Reds.

These big, boisterous chickens are a classic choice that you’ll rarely go wrong with as they are good layers and make a great table bird also.

Sourland Farm, which is located in Hillsborough, sells unfertilized eggs, fertilized eggs, chicks, pullets, mature hens, and roosters at your preference.

Family-run with a focus on producing the healthiest chickens you’ll ever find in this breed, they have fans far and wide inside and outside of New Jersey. They have birds hatching year-round in monthly batches, so make sure you call ahead to get a reservation or place an order.

Saratoga Farms

Saratoga Farms is another hatchery operation that specializes in just one breed, the Novogen.

These chickens are downright phenomenal layers, beginning to lay at about 20 weeks and then producing an astonishing 400 eggs in about 72 weeks. They are one of the most productive breeds around by any standard.

If chickens aren’t the only thing you are after, they also sell guinea fowl, offer horse boarding, emu eggs, hay, and a lot more.

Because of their constantly changing inventory, you’ll want to call ahead directly to get an idea of what birds they have hatching and when. They tend to sell out quickly so don’t wait!

Macopin Farm

There are few hatcheries that can boast a reputation for turning out blue ribbon birds, but Macopin Farm is one such breeder.

From Araucanas to Bantam Silkies, they have been taking home awards from New Jersey state competitions going all the way back to 2014, and that is evidenced in the superb health and appearance of their chickens.

Notably, they develop and raise all of their chickens as pets, meaning they are markedly even-tempered, friendly, and calm even when compared against the expected behavior of already friendly breeds like Silkies.

If you’re in the market for a companion chicken or two or you just want a flock full of friendly birds that are very easy to handle, make Macopin Farm your first stop.

Moyer’s Chicks

Moyer’s Chicks is a veteran hatchery in New Jersey, running continuously since 1946 out of Quakertown and shipping throughout the lower 48 and Eastern Canada.

With a full assortment of breeds suitable for meat, eggs, and anything in-between, you can get fertilized eggs, young pullets that are ready to lay, or mature birds.

The breed lineup varies, but Moyer’s is what you might call a more utilitarian hatchery: they keep one or two breeds on hand for any need, be it broilers or egg layers, and an assortment of other birds throughout the year.

They offer a better rate if you buy hatchery choice birds for any category. Give them a call to see what they have on hand, or if you prefer you can place an order directly through the website.

Jersey West Farm

Jersey West Farm is a multi-purpose operation specializing in rare breeds, and not just chickens. They also raise cows and sheep.

When it comes to our favorite birds, you’ve got to see their American Bresse, Black Copper Marans, and Welsummers: these are carefully bred and cared-for chickens and boy does it show!

Whatever kind of chickens you are after, they guarantee all of their young pullets to be hens, so if you don’t want to go through the trouble of having surplus roosters, or a rooster at all, and are ready for fresh eggs shortly after your purchase, this is a great option. Otherwise, they can sell you sexed and fully vaccinated chicks.

Hazelman Farms

Starting out as a backyard coop operation in 2014, Hazelman Farms has since grown to a 70-acre working farm that over 1,700 chickens call home.

As participants with the National Resource and Conservation Society and their Golden-winged Warbler project, they are intensely involved in habitat regrowth for this North American bird.

Aside from that, Hazelman Farms is a specialized breeder of Rhode Island Red sex links, and when you order from them you always know what you’ll be getting.

The birds have an excellent reputation for health and survivability from locals, and if you are a fan of the Rhode Island Red you owe them a visit to see their beautiful birds for yourself.

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