Hatching a Business in Northern Alberta

From One Incubator to a Thriving Flock

Hidden Nook Hatchery | County of Northern Lights, AB

Tucked away on the quiet backroads of Chinook Valley, about 30 km north of Grimshaw, Chenoa Grimm, 30, has been incubating Hidden Nook Hatchery for the past 10 years. Today, she supplies chicks and advice, expanding access to specialty poultry locally, and ships hatching eggs across Canada.

As with many businesses built from scratch, Chenoa Grimm found an interesting path to take and realized there was a demand in the market.

“My aunt gifted me my grandma’s 50-year-old incubator. I filled it with barnyard mix chicks, and next thing I know, I have over 50 chicks,” said Grimm. “I couldn’t keep them all, so I sold them. Then, I filled the incubator again.”

As interest grew, so did the need for structure. What began as a single hatch became an entire operation—one that required planning, organization and more deliberate decision making.

“Friends and family spread the word. People were looking for chicks, and I had them,” said Grimm. “Things just kind of went from there.”

Always working to improve, she found best practices that worked for her. She considered her capacity and where that potential could lead. She moved from mixed birds to intentional breeding that utilizes stronger genetics.

“It got to the point where I wanted specific breeds, and they were hard to find up here,” said Grimm. “So, I started bringing them in.”

This shift expanded more than her flock. It redefined her focus and the role Hidden Nook Hatchery plays in the region.

“I wanted people up north to have access to various breeds of birds,” said Grimm.

Now, the operation consists of nine breeds and 120 birds, all organized into separate breeding pens.

“There’s a lot more to it than just hatching chicks,” said Grimm. “You’re managing breeding groups, keeping everything separate and making sure nothing gets mixed up.”

Behind the scenes, the work is constant. The business runs on daily care—feeding, cleaning, collecting and monitoring—alongside hours spent answering messages, coordinating orders and staying connected with customers.

“It’s every day. You check birds, answer messages and go back to chores. It just keeps going,” said Grimm.

By balancing growth with consistency, Grimm has cultivated a loyal and expanding customer base.

“I have people who come back every year,” said Grimm. “Sometimes they start with just a few chickens and start expanding their operation.”

For many, she has become part of their process and someone they can reach out to as they learn.

“I don’t mind answering questions,” said Grimm. “I remember being in that spot too.”

Beyond the business and the numbers, Grimm began to notice her work helps foster a deeper, less visible connection between differing lifestyles.

“Chickens are often the first step. They kind of bridge that gap between town and country,” said Grimm.

As her business scales, Grimm focuses on expanding without drifting from her founding principles. A big part of that is exploring more reliable ways to reach customers who can’t easily travel.

“I want to be the source for the North. First and foremost, that has always been my goal, and it still is,” said Grimm. “So, I want to find a better way to get chicks out to nearby communities. People want them. So, it’s just about getting them there properly.”

At the same time, Grimm is thinking bigger.

“I’ve started shipping hatching eggs across Canada. That’s something I’d like to keep growing,” said Grimm.

Like most business owners who built from the ground up, Grimm knows what her business is, why it exists and she has dozens of ideas of how to make it better.

Hidden Nook Hatchery is a mosaic of thoughtful decision making with the community in mind, a love for the chickens and hundreds of hours of dedication.

To learn more visit Hidden Nook Hatchery on Facebook.

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Words by Laura Hanna | Photography submitted