Business Profile: Rob’s Poultry Supplies & Chicks, Cortlandt
Photo credit: Neal Rentz
It is like no other store in the Cortlandt area.
Town resident Rob Robinson opened Rob’s Poultry Supplies & Chicks in August 2015 on Route 202.
Robinson has been in the business for over 30 years. Prior to opening his store last year he operated his business out of his home living room. “It grew too much” to remain in his home, Robinson said last week.
“Growing up I raised chickens and pheasants and quail and game birds. And over the years I always maintained my interest,” explained Robinson, who grew up in Walton in upstate New York.
Robinson has designed the Ultimate Incubator and the Ultimate Brooder, in which chicken eggs are placed. “It’s all automatic. All you do is add water to the humidity tray on the bottom and it turns the eggs six times a day. And it’s all digital and it maintains the humidity and the temperature perfectly,” he said.
Robinson said he sells a wide variety of items including chick supplies, such as feed, straw, feeders, and heat lamps. He also sells 100 different types of one-day-old chicks, quail, partridges, pheasants, geese, and ducks. Robinson suggested that those seeking to purchase the animals he sells to speak with him first. “We’ll design a package geared toward what you’re looking for,” he said.
Robinson’s store also offers clothing for chicken. “They love it. When they’re molting it keeps them nice and warm,” he said.
The chicken clothing has been created by Cortlandt resident Cindy Weinstein, who explained why Robinson’s store is so popular. “You have to go really far to get anything else like this,” she said. ”There’s a growing interest in chickens.”
Making chicken clothing is something new for Weinstein. “I heard they like to dress up,” she said.
Mike Bingay of Cortlandt said he enjoys the new store because “it’s like a family thing.” His father, Harold, said he enjoys having chickens as pets because “I get a kick out of the way they interact.” The family also enjoys the eggs laid by his chickens and he also purchased pheasants and quail from the store.
Robinson said his customers come “from all over,” including upstate Binghamton, New York City and Long Island. “I offer a great product,” he said, adding his store fills a need.
“It’s a great hobby. They get fresh eggs every day,” Robinson said, adding his customers also receive “the enjoyment of watching chickens. It’s better than watching television.”
Robinson said he had a specific goal. “I’d like to have a poultry store in every little town in New York,” he said.
Poultry Supplies & Chicks is located at 2120 Crompond Rd. in Cortlandt. For more information, call 914-737-1088 or 845-216-6461.
