I have been wanting my own flock of chickens for a long time and now with the help of Elston Hay & Grain it's becoming a reality. The prices are very fair (way better than online). Alyssa is very knowledgeable. She told me everything I needed from the type of chickens I wanted (I want a friendly group to be a part of our family) to the best way to build my "predator proof" chicken run. She helped me make a plan so I can have a different variety of chickens in my flock as well. Her sister was very helpful in store, she showed us around all the chick needs and even helped us to find a heating lamp because they had run out in the store. She helped us learn some tricks of the trade to keep our little chicks healthy until they are capable of handling the elements. I was nervous to start this new adventure, but what is so wonderful about Elston Hay and Grain is the knowledge and expertise I found with the employees. I am excited to raise my first flock of chickens and with the help of the Elston's I feel even more confident that it will be a huge success! read more

So impressed by how caring, helpful & knowledgeable (horse needs and more) the Elston people are! Loved their customer appreciation event but you can tell they appreciate their customers everyday! Great value and great place to stock up! ~ I'm definitely coming back! * Jan, Reviewer read more

We were looking for hay bales for an event, they had plenty but the quantity for delivery was more than we needed. We are over 30 miles away. The man on the phone was very polite and helpful on the phone! read more

Love this store. They have everything your pets need here. Friendly, helpful service, too!

I have been coming here at least once a week for YEARS for everything horse related (bedding, supplements, fly spray, feed, buckets, brushes, etc). I have horses and like supporting local businesses. However today is the last time I will be coming to this store. I arrived at 12:58pm and was met with a locked door and a sign taped up that said lunch from 1-1:30. Since it wasn't 1 quite yet and I knew exactly what item I was getting, I walked in and was met with a very cold "Nope! We're closed." They literally would not take my money. I have never been treated so rudely here in Poway. You have just lost a long time customer and local resident. read more

As a nearly 20 yr resident of Poway I have always shopped local. Elstons has always been my go to store for my horse's feed, stall bedding and more. I have always received kind and respectful service at this location. The current employees George , Nate and Madison are always helpful with any needs I may have. I recently described a product my farrier had recommended for a hoof abscess and Nate quickly found it for me. read more

Thanks for delivering AND picking up the straw bales for our event this past weekend. You all were so easy to work with and friendly! I have already shared your contact info with a colleague for a future event. read more

I came with my horse trailer to pick up several bales of hay that I had paid for online. The woman behind the counter in the store was friendly and helpful. The man who loaded the hay was another story. I've never experienced such bad customer service from a feed store. I appreciated the help loading the hay, but the attitude was unnecessary. I had to move a few bales to get my trailer divider to latch, and he was clearly irritated by that and asked me what I was doing. I let him know that I had one additional item to pick up and he said "I know, I said I'm going to get it." I realized after he loaded it that it was the wrong item, but I didn't feel comfortable correcting him since he was clearly irritated enough as it was. As I was getting ready to leave, he said "thanks for making a mess." There wasn't much hay left on the ground, so I'm not sure why he felt it was appropriate to make such a rude comment. The hay was a good price and seems like it's good quality, so I'm giving 2 stars for that, but I won't be back. read more

Best feed store in Ramona, and maybe all of San Diego. Super friendly staff and fair prices.

I usually come here to get hay and litter for my bunnies. HUGE bag of hay for $8-$9, amazing deal! Their hay is fresh, green and CRUNCHY! thats when you know the hay is good! They have a nice gentleman there to load whatever is that heavy into your car for you, wonderful service! i love it! read more

I went here for the first time years ago and made another visit just recently. I don't remember the customer service being so cold and heartless! I entered the store and I got a pretty friendly sounding "Hello". The friendliness ends there. There were 2 female teenagers sitting behind the counter. They will not approach you or ask if you need help looking for something. When I asked a question, I would get an answer in a blunt, angry-like fashion and she would immediately go back to surfing on their cell phone. When I returned an item, she looked as if someone spat in her food. With that type of attitude, I will never return to Elston's again. read more

For my step daughter's birthday we got her horseback riding lessons. The instructor told us we needed a training helmet and specific boots so we headed to Elston as it's on the same street where we live. The worker, a woman about my age, was "ok" in her help other than her constant complaining about having to work there, apparently for her mom. It was awkward but I got Madi her helmet and boots and we were on our way. Jump forward 3 weeks, my husband unexpectedly passed away. Madi lost her daddy, I lost my husband and best friend. Since Madi had not even touched either the helmet or the boots, I asked my mom to return them knowing I don't even have enough cash on hand to pay for the mortuary services. Eston Hay & Grain refused to return the helmet, which was still in the box AND wrapped in plastic. Apparently she (the same unhappy salesperson I worked with) smugly pointed out to my mom on the receipt where it says I only have 72 hours to return the helmet, NO EXCEPTIONS! She even told my mom (in a cynical tone no less), "Have a nice day..." Really? Seriously... not only does the sales staff have no heart or compassion but the store is pretty sparse and stinky... bad karma! read more

I visit this store weekly...for hay, dog food, random broken water buckets, meds, etc. Alyssa knows me by name, knows what dog food I need, always has something pleasant to say. We had previously been having hay delivered but the prices were so much higher, we started picking up our own at Elston's. The quality of the alfalfa is much better. The flakes are heavy and full of flowers and our horses LOVE it. Though the selection of tack and accessories isn't as wide as the store in Ramona (which I also love!!!), they always go out of their way to check and see if the Ramona store has it and call to reserve it for pick up. I am a firm believer in supporting your local businesses and this is a perfect example of why I am!!! read more

Quick Update: Just a couple hours of posting my issue with the chicken scratch, the owner contacted me with email and explained the potential cause to the problem. She even offered me a bag of scratch for free! What a customer-centric business! Now that I know the problem is not caused by their inventory, I am more than happy to give them five stars for their great customer service!! Their service is great. I went there for some organic chicken feed and chicken scratch. The price is very reasonable compared with other stores. I like their promotion on the facebook too. I would have given a five-star if not for the bag of Modesto Milling Chicken Scratch that I got. When I opened it at home I found the bag was basically infested with small black beetles and most of the grains have the look that the beetles or their larvae have already had the first bite. As a newbie in raising chickens, I don't know if the product was supposed to be like that, or just that it had been sitting in the warehouse for too long. read more

I have always had great customer service at Elston, and one of the girls located and shipped within 2 hours to the Poway store from the Ramona store a medium blanket that I needed right away for my mare in the middle of a cold rainy spell last month. I really like the family-owned atmosphere of the business. Great selection, fair prices and I love that it is a Poway business! read more

I've just recently started raising chickens luckily I found Elston they are very helpful and have everything for my girls read more

Elston Hay & Grain - Stretch says Thanks Elston - Pet Stores Near Me - Poway, California

Good prices and consistently Great Service. I'm always greeted with a big smile and positive attitude. We've been buying pine pellets to use in place of cat litter. Less odor, lower cost, and most important, the cat isn't coughing from the dust and whatever chemicals were in the commercial litter. Great place to buy! read more

I have been in here quite a lot recently as I just moved a horse down to Poway. Every time I come in I feel welcome and they have everything that I need. From apparel for the rider to deworming paste for my horse they have it all. read more

Being that I have no idea how to anything related to farming/manual labor this was the perfect place to come in for a bail of hay to decorate for Halloween! Only $12! Friendly staff. read more

Great place to get supplies from. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Don't think I have ever had a "bad" experience here. Yes every now and again they are out of certain feeds I need for my chickens but oh well. Love that they are close to Mira mesa and I don't have to drive all the way up to Escondido for any feed or hay. read more

Not a huge selection, but prices are fair and they usually have a really good deal on hay pellets and bedding. Heads up- they are closed Wednesdays. If you need a place in Poway for feed and bedding this is a good place to shop, if you need a place for tack or other farm supplies go to Hawthorne in Escondido. read more

Love the staff here, they are knowledgeable and very helpful and they are wonderful to my 8 year old daughter who always has a ton of questions and always wants to manhandle the ducks and chicks. We love their annual sales and if you join their email list they send you updates to their next sale promotion. From the girls at the register to the gentleman loading your hay and grain, this store is top notch in customer service. read more

I always buy my dog's food from Alyssa at Elston Hay & Grain, however I was in a bind and could not get up there this time around, so I bought the food from Tractor Supply in Lakeside. Go figure, when I dumped the food into my dog's food bin, I saw that the bottom of the bag had been ripped and taped up. I thought it would be fine, a $336 vet bill later (and a lot of yucky mess to clean up), I found out otherwise. The food caused a stomach bug for my little guy. Never getting my food from anywhere but Elston Hay & Grain again! read more

I visited this store for the first time today and was very pleased with what I saw. This is a family owned and operated business where customer service is a priority. I will definitely return, especially for my wild bird seed as they have a great selection and a great variety. read more

The cashier is always friendly to me when I go in. Timothy hay for guinea pigs is FRESH and CHEAP!!! I kick myself for buying it from petco and kahoots for so long. I also buy pine bedding here and it's also a great deal. read more

Friendly and very knowledgable employees. We just got chickens and I went in for a couple things. I have now found my regular location for all things for our chickens. This is how all businesses should operate and treat customers. Btw- they even help load everything in your vehicle. read more

I love the convenience of Elston's as a boarder at Morningstar Ranch in Poway the last 8 years. The people there are friendly and helpful and I buy all of my "immediate need" grain, supplements, fly spray and tack there! read more

Great help in the yard. Buy something, and the kids (yard guys) load your truck. There are a lot of feed stores in town, we always go to Elstons. read more

Friendly and helpful employees. I called 6 places for Australorps before finding they had them and for under $5 each! A bit of a drive to get here but glad I found this place- well priced and a good selection for a small store. Love being able to support the smaller non chain stores, will be back read more

Elston's is great; It's conveniently located just down the way from several horse boarding facilities in Poway and has all your basic pet owning necessities and then some. I've been in several times now to get supplies for my horse and each time the employee's have all been very polite and helpful, this is a wonderful local business to support! read more

I love Elston Hay & Grain! The employees treat you like family, and are so helpful! Alyssa helped me put together everything I needed for a new puppy, and he loves all of it!! I wouldn't have known what all he needed, and it was nice to get everything from one place. I wish there were more family businesses like this one. read more

Great customer service. Low prices and close to me. What more can you ask for?

The customer service is amazing. Lexie, Ali, and Maddie are terrific workers. They make me feel so welcome and they try their best to satisfy my needs. They are so kind and thoughtful, they answer questions I ask the best they can. read more

I went into Elstons for the first time looking for information on Blue Buffalo. The girl working there, Madi, was very knowledgeable and nice, with her help I found the perfect dog food. I will definitely be back to support this local business. read more

I have been using Elston's as my main horse feed/supply store for over 5 years now. I have become a loyal customer due to the great service, assistance and smiles that I receive whenever I go there. My kids and I truly feel welcome and at home teach time we walk in. I have even traded my Petco runs for going to Elston's for my cat food, too. Alyssa in particular has been very helpful, friendly and accommodating whenever I am in the store, or on the phone. A good relationship with your feed store is important with the amount of money we spend on our animals.Walking into Elston's and being greeted by name is PRICELESS as a customer. With their Rewards program as well as their fairly regular weekend special sales, I can count on getting what I need on a regular basis at a good price. Keep up the good work Elston's - you have become a staple in the community. read more

I have been shopping at Elston's for more than 5 years. When I first started going there, I found customer service to be poor. But, over the last 2 years, I have seen a huge improvement! Their rewards program is great, since my husband and I are there at least once a week, shopping for our horses. I would give the store 5 stars if the selection of products was better, but I do understand their space limitations. But, they will call the Ramona store and even have items sent from there, so you can usually get what you need. read more

I have been a customer since May 2010. The staff always great me with a Hi, Chris, how you doing? usually as soon as I walk in the door (unless of course, they are with a customer). The prices are very reasonable and I save an additional 10%-15% on purchases through their newsletter which is emailed to me at the beginning of each month and also when they are running a special % off weekend. Also being a loyalty customer, my purchases earn a "cash back" which I can use on future purchases and I have the option of having an invoice of my purchase emailed to me. I always seek Alyssa's advice before purchasing a horse item I'm not familiar with and she always gives me a good description based on what she knows about the product, either from personal experience or what she has heard from other customers that have used the product (much more in-depth than other places I've shopped...where the staff either doesn't know or simply states "It's a good"). The hours are great...open 7 days a week and on weekdays open until after 6 pm (which is great, when you work until 5 pm and have a 40 min drive home to Poway. read more