FAQ

General Bird Questions

Do you sex your chicks?

We do not vent sex our chicks. All chicks are sold straight run other than auto-sexing breeds.

Can your birds be feather sexed?

No, our birds cannot be feather sexed. Feather sexing is only accurate on the first generation of offspring from a fast feathering male and slow feathering female. Please don’t request that we feather sex the chicks in your order.

What is the male/female ratio on straight run chicks?

Straight run chicks are shipped as hatched so we do not know what the ratio will be. You can receive any combination of males and females.

My city does not allow roosters/ regulates the number of hens I can have, what are my options?

If you live in an area that does not allow roosters, we have a selection of auto-sexing breeds. They can be visibly sexed at hatch so we can guarantee that you do not receive a rooster with your order. If your heart is set on a breed that is not auto-sexing, have a plan for the roosters prior to placing an order.

I received more roosters in my order than hens, did you do this intentionally?

We cannot stress enough that we do not vent sex our chicks and do not know the sex of the chicks that are in your order if it is not an auto-sexing breed. Vent sexing requires special training and a lot of skill. No one on our farm is trained to do so and attempting to would cause harm and stress to the chicks not to mention that we would likely have a very large margin of error. Some breeds we only hatch a small number of chicks each week, meaning the entire hatch for that breed goes to one order. If they turn out to be mostly roosters, understand that it is out of our control. We are not trying to sabotage you; there is absolutely no gain for us in these situations. We do not sell juvenile birds so no; we are not keeping the females for us to sell at a higher price later. Do not purchase straight run chicks if you are not prepared for receiving any combination of males and females. Do not contact us with statistics and claims that the ratio you received is not possible. Unlikely does not mean impossible. We do not guarantee any ratio and will not refund or ship more chicks if you are unhappy with the number of roosters you receive in your order of straight run chicks.

Ordering

What’s the minimum to order?

The minimum order is six (6) day-old chicks for standard or large fowl and twelve (12) day-old chicks for bantams/small breeds. Bantams and standard/large fowl cannot be combined in the same shipment but what we deem a “small breed” can ship either with bantams or standard fowl. Please contact us if you need any assistance or have any questions about this new bantam shipping policy.

If you wish to order fewer than the minimum order, contact us with your request. We reserve the right to override the minimum on a case by case basis and not all requests will be approved. We do not recommend ordering fewer than the minimum, and the 72-Hour Live Chick Guarantee will not apply in these cases. Under no circumstances will we override the minimum for fewer than three (3) standard size chicks. The twelve (12) chick bantam minimum will be strictly enforced and no requests for shipping fewer bantams will be accepted.

Can I adjust my order after it has been placed?

While we certainly can adjust your order after it has been placed, we ask that you be confident with your selections prior to placing your order. Be sure you can accommodate the number of birds in your order before placing it. You will not receive a full refund for removing birds from your order.

Adding chicks: we can add chicks if they are available for the same shipping date. The request to add chicks should be made by the Thursday before your shipping date. We make arrangements for all chicks to be sold prior to hatch day so we might not be able to fill last-minute requests.

Removing chicks: you forfeit 50% of the cost of the chicks that are removed from your order. The request to remove chicks must be made by the Thursday before your scheduled shipping date. Cancellations made after the Thursday before your scheduled ship date forfeit 100% of the cost of the order.

Why is a specific breed not showing as available on the chart? Can I still order that breed? When will it be available?

If a breed is not showing on the availability chart, then the breed is not currently available for order. Usually, chicks are either sold out or we are not currently hatching the breed. The chart shows the next 5 shipping dates, but we do accept orders for dates beyond that. Please use our contact form and be sure to include the breeds and quantities so we can let you know what the possibilities are! We may be able to still get an order set up for you.

When is the best time to order chicks?

This will depend on your location, set up, and even personal preference. The most popular time for shipping chicks is in the spring when egg laying is at its peak. If you live in an area with late freezes, you may want to wait until early summer to have your chicks shipped. Those who live in warmer regions can have chicks safely shipped well into fall.

Remember that there is a natural decline in egg production during fall when day light hours shorten so some breeds may not be available during that time. Due to higher volume of chicks that hatch during the spring and summer we strongly suggest placing your order several weeks in advance as some breeds sell out quickly.

Shipping

COVID-19 information

Chickens do not carry or transmit COVID-19. As a mail order, web-based business, we are operating as usual and shipping out chicks as scheduled. As a farm, we are designated an “essential business” and allowed to operate without interruption. We have not experienced shipping disruptions from USPS due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 note: Our cancellation policy remains in effect. If you have any concerns or are unable to go to the post office, please notify us immediately so we can postpone or delay your order.

Is it safe to ship chicks?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to ship chicks. Just before hatch, chicks absorb the yolk which provides them with enough nutrients for their first days of life. We also provide the chicks with feed, Gro-gel, and heat packs when necessary. Our boxes are clearly marked to let the Post Office know to handle the chicks with extra care.

How much is shipping?

Shipping is free.