One of the First of some 12 hatcheries on the Castro Valley Boulevard was "Hayward Rio- Linda."  Kale was grown in a nearby field to feed the growing flocks.

In the 1920s, they could hatch several thousand chicks a week.

The chicks were boxed, 100 each in divided boxes and shipped all over the world. Or delivered locally by truck.

In 1934, the more modern, California State Hatcherey was built (Owned then by the Lorge family), near the corner of Stanton and the Boulevard.

After 21 days of incubation, the chick is formed from the white of the egg with the yolk in its stomach. This enabled the chick to go without food or water for 48 hours. This was the safe shipping time for chicks.