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If you don’t have a hatchery nearby, ordering chicks online is a great alternative! Here you’ll find the answers to some frequently asked questions about mail-order chicks!

How do you ship chicks?

All poultry is shipped through USPS Priority Mail. They are the only carrier service that will handle live poultry. Once an order leaves the hatchery, it will arrive at your local post office within 2 to 3 days. Your post office will notify you that your chicks are available for pick-up with the phone number provided in your order. It is your responsibility to pick up your chicks from the post office immediately. The postal service will not deliver chick orders to your residence.

• Chicks shipped Wednesday and Sunday mornings (Seasonally) = Arrive Thurs./Fri. or Mon./Tues.
• Turkeys, Ducks and Gamebirds shipped Tuesday mornings = Arrive Wed./Thurs.

How long will it take for my chicks to ship?

Typically, it can take anywhere from a few days (see quick ship chicks) to 4 weeks for chicks to ship from the hatchery, depending on their hatching schedule and time of year. During peak chick season, shipping times can be longer. You will be given an estimated shipping date within 3 days after placing your order. Tracking information for your order is provided once your chicks have left the hatchery.

How can chicks survive shipping?

We ship chicks when they are a day old. Newly hatched poultry have a 3-day supply of yolk left in their system to provide for them the first 3 days of life. Also, the first 3 days of life the chicks have a great immune system to adapt to the changing temperature during travel. We pack the chicks differently depending on the time of year and current travel conditions.

What if my chicks don't survive?

We take every precaution to securely package chicks for shipping, but sometimes casualties occur. If some of your chicks don't survive shipping, or if your chicks die within the first 24 hours of arrival, contact our customer service department at customers@chickenoutfitter.com.

• One set of replacement chicks will be issued in case of DOA (dead on arrival). If survival is an issue after the first set of replacements then a refund will be issued.

Can I order fewer than 10 chicks?

We ship in lots of 10 because it helps the chicks stay warmer during shipping. If we send less than that, there’s a greater risk they wouldn’t survive shipping. If your neighborhood only allows for 5-6 chickens, consider splitting an order with a friend or neighbor!

Can you guarantee my shipment of pullets won’t have any roosters in it?

We do our very best to correctly determine the sex of chicks before they ship, but it is challenging!  We guarantee 90% true to sex on all pullet orders. We do not guarantee any ratio on as hatched/straight run orders.

At what age can I tell males from females?

Most breeds you can tell the sex of the bird at around 16-18 weeks. Guineas or some breeds of geese you will not be able to tell unless you observe them mating.

Where are your chicks shipped from?

Our chicks are shipped from Mt. Healthy Hatchery in Cincinnati, Ohio and Ideal Poultry in Cameron, Texas.

Can I cancel or change my chick order?

Live chicks cannot be returned. If you would like to modify or cancel your chick order, changes must be made within 24 hours of ordering. There will be a 10% charge on any cancelled chick orders within 4 calendar days of your hatch-ship date. Contact our customer service department at (660) 269-5250 or customers@chickenoutfitter.com. Please have your order number ready.

Are your hatcheries NPIP certified

Mt. Healthy and Ideal Poultry Hatcheries are proud members of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP).

The current NPIP status for Mt. Healthy and Ideal Poultry Hatcheries is U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean, H5/H7 AI Clean and Salmonella Monitored. Mt. Healthy and Ideal Poultry will provide NPIP Health Papers 9-3 with every order. Form will be enclosed in packing slip sleeve on your chick box.

Are your chicks vaccinated?

Chicks are not vaccinated but the adult parent birds are vaccinated for Marek’s Disease.