Wardle Feed & Pet Supply

Chickens and Beekeeping

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Old-Fashioned Chicken Swap!

Buy, sell, trade, or browse animals from local community.  Think of it as a Farmer’s Market but for animals.

Every Third Saturday – from 8 am to 1 pm.  Our schedule for the 2021 is: April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, and September 18

FREE ADMISSION, including vendors. No need to register.

FAQ:

Q: I’m looking to sell animals. What do I do?

A: Simply show up with your animals, set up shop and sell away. No fees. No hassle. Our swap takes place in the open field behind Wardle Feed and Pet on the south side of 42nd Avenue (Three Acre Lane). Call ahead to let us know what you’re selling so we can advertise for you!

Q: I’m looking to buy animals. What do I do?

A:  Just show up and buy or browse. In fact, we encourage you to bring the kids or grand kids and enjoy showing them the diversity of the world that we live in.

Q: What animals are available?

A: Depends on the week. Chicken swaps are like farmer’s markets for animals. People bring in what they have available. But our partners at Fulenwider Farm consistently bring great chickens and other animals. Swing by and check it out.

Q: Any additional tips?

A: The best animals usually sell within the first few hours. So get here early to find the best deals!

Beekeeping classes – sign up now!

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS AND VIEW CLASS DATES

Wardle Feed offers three different beekeeping classes:

Introduction to Beekeeping 

This class is FREE and is taught by a beekeeping expert who used to teach the beekeeping classes at Paulino Gardens.  He will cover beekeeping basics, starting with equipment, bee packages, and hive management.  This class will last an hour or more.  It is a great way for you to learn what you need to know to get started.

Advanced Beekeeping

This class is $20 per couple and is taught by a beekeeping expert who used to teach the beekeeping classes at Paulino Gardens.  He will cover advance beekeeping, including hive maintenance, disease prevention, colony collapse, correctly winterizing , honey extraction, and  best management practices.  This class will last about three hours.  It is a great way for you to learn how to be successful and what to do so your hives make it through our harsh Colorado winters.

Honey Harvesting & Hive Winterization Class

The class is $20 per couple, kids are free with paying adult. Must bring bee jacket. The class will be in the field, hands on. Will be held in the field behind Wardle Feed where we have active, thriving hives.

The class will cover best practices on how to extract or harvest your honey and get your hives ready for the winter. We will even EXTRACT YOUR HONEY FOR FREE during the class!! So, bring your frames and bring jars! This information is very important for new beekeepers because there is a lot of misinformation out there. Hive collapse and mites are possible, but mistakes are the biggest reason that hives fail during the winter. Let us help you prepare to avoid them. 

We want your hives to thrive! We don’t want you to have to buy more bees next season because your hives were not prepared for the winter and your bees didn’t have what they need to make it through the cold season!

Backyard Chicken Keeping and Biosecurity Class

Interested in learning how to raise chickens?

This class covers everything you need to know about raising chickens, biosecurity, predators, diet, coops, breeds, equipment, egg production, winter and cold weather, costs and much more!

Local, experienced, and knowledgeable poultry expert from our partner at Fulenwider Farms teaches this class.

Classes held at Wardle Feed and Pet Supply, located at 7610 W 42nd Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. There is also an online live stream available (a link will be emailed to you before the class starts). 

$20 per person, children under 16 are free with paying adult.

Registration:  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Covid-19 – Important Information

Important Information – COVID-19

Dear Wardle Customers,

In light of the current situation and orders by the Governor, please note the following important information:

  1. HOURS: We are OPEN but our hours have changed to – 9 am to 4:30 pm M-F and 9 to 4 on Sat., Closed on Sunday.
  2. SAFETY: Please do not come inside the store if you have a fever or any flu symptoms. We will gladly take your order over the phone and bring it to your car – call us at 303-424-6455. Also, please honor the physical distancing recommendations of 6 feet while you are in the store.
  3. CHICKENS: We have sold an extremely large amount of chickens and our hatchery is doing all they can do to keep up. Until recently, we were always able to keep plenty of birds in the store. Please feel free to call ahead to make sure we have what you want in stock before you drive down. We sell both baby chicks and pullets. If you are new to backyard chickens, please note that babies need to be indoors the first 12 weeks and it may take 6 to 9 months before you will get eggs from babies. And there is an average of 10% loss with babies so buy an extra bird or two just in case. Pullets are birds that are fully feathered out and about 12 weeks old or older, so they will be laying a little sooner.
  4. CLASSES: We offer a BACKYARD CHICKEN KEEPING AND BIOSECURITY class twice a month. These classes are now online only. The class usually takes about two hours and is well worth your time, especially if you are new to chickens. You can sign up on line.
  5. FEED: Our suppliers are telling us they have enough feed. Since we pick up truckloads at a time, we have only been short when we are not able to get our trucks out to get the loads.
  6. ESSENTIAL SERVICES – ANIMAL FEEDS: The shelter in place orders ALLOW FOR TRAVEL to obtain pet supplies and livestock feeds. You are allowed to make sure that you animals have feed.

To confirm what you can travel for from your locale, click on the links below:

  1. State of Colorado https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1EDCY6-A6QBKxzDImCSF8bBBdOOI3Km/view
  2. Jefferson County:
    https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/20742/JCPH-Public-Health-Order-20-002—STAY-AT-HOME
  3. Denver City & County:
    https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/771/documents/covid-19/public-orders/DenverStayAtHomeOrder_DDPHE.pdf
  4. Arapahoe County:
    https://www.arapahoegov.com/DocumentCenter/View/9610/StayAtHome_PublicHealthOrder_032420?bidId=
  5. Boulder County:
    https://assets.bouldercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/boulder-county-stay-at-home-order.pdf
  6. Adams County:
    http://www.adcogov.org/sites/default/files/StayAtHome_PublicHealthOrder_03.24.20.pdf
  7. Douglas County:
    https://www.tchd.org/DocumentCenter/View/6965/Stay-At-Home-Public-Health-Order-

Thank you. 

Poultry

Baby chicks, pullets, laying hens, and ducks are available for sale! Please call us for an active inventory or stop by the store, as availability is changing frequently and uncertainly.

Our supplier is working hard to keep us stocked with the poultry you want.

*NOTE: PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LARGE BOX, CONTAINER, OR KENNEL IF YOU ARE PURCHASING PULLETS OR LAYING HENS. WE ARE OUT OF BOXES.

We Are Open

Baby Chicks ARE HERE!  We are receiving regular shipments of babies and they are selling quickly.  It is very important to have your brooder already set up and WARM so when you bring your babies home they are put right back into a snuggly warm home.  They are used to living in a 90 to 95 degree cozy environment right now. 

Pullets and Laying Hens: We currently have a limited number of pullets (birds are over 12 weeks old and fully feathered out).

Ducks: We do have ducks in now while supplies last!

If you are new to chicken keeping (or ducks), we offer an excellent online class via Zoom (you can register online – https://wardlefeed.com/chicken-class/). 

WE ARE OPEN during the Pandemic 

Thanks you for Buying Locally – we are Colorado family owned since 1938!

 Please feel free to call us at (303) 424-6455 before you come to make sure we still have the birds you want in stock.

Our office has a constantly running ultraviolet light (UV) and negative ion air purifier. We disinfect with Virkon and ozone generators every evening. We still have a good supply of pet, poultry and livestock feeds in stock now. Masks are required. 

Temporary Hours
9 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
9 am to 4 pm Saturday

Last updated April 2, 2021 at 5:58 pm

 

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