Refund policy
At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery, all chick orders are pre-orders. When you place an order, we immediately reserve live inventory specifically for you and begin planning for your selected hatch and ship or pickup date. Because chicks are living animals and hatches are carefully planned in advance, our cancellation and refund policy reflects the care and preparation involved.
We appreciate your understanding and transparency throughout the ordering process.
Order Cancellations
Cancellations Within 14 Days of Purchase Orders may be canceled within 14 days of the original purchase date for a full refund. Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 5–10 business days of cancellation confirmation.
Cancellations After 14 Days After 14 days, we are unable to offer a refund. At that point, your chicks have already been reserved, removed from availability, and planned for a specific hatch. This policy applies to both shipped orders and local pickup orders.
Changes, Additions & Order Modifications
Due to our ordering and inventory system, we are unable to make changes or additions to existing orders once they are placed. If you need to modify your order for any reason, the original order must be canceled and a new order placed.
Cancellation & Reordering Once an order is canceled in order to make a change or addition by placing a new order, a refund will be issued to the original payment method within 5–10 business days. Customers are responsible for placing a new order with the desired changes.
Hatch Date & Availability Canceling an order means your original hatch date is forfeited. New orders are scheduled based on current availability at the time the new order is placed. Breed availability, quantities, and hatch dates cannot be held or transferred from a canceled order.
Hatch Date or Ship Date Changes
Because we work with live animals, occasional adjustments may be necessary due to factors such as natural hatch rate variability, weather conditions, or shipping and postal considerations. We reserve the right to adjust your hatch or ship date one time if needed to ensure chick health and safe delivery.
If a Second Date Change Is Required If your order must be moved a second time, you will be given the choice to cancel your order for a full refund, or work with our team to select a new hatch date that works for you. Our goal is always to communicate clearly and provide options when unexpected changes occur.
Important Notes
- All chick orders are considered custom, live inventory pre-orders
- Refunds are based on purchase date, not hatch date
- Shipping fees (if applicable) are non-refundable once shipping preparations begin
- Live Arrival Guarantee claims are handled separately — please see our Shipping & Live Arrival Guarantee page for details
Our Commitment to You
Your pre-order allows us to plan responsibly, hatch carefully, and ship or prepare chicks in a way that prioritizes health, safety, and humane handling. While working with nature requires flexibility, we are committed to honest communication and fair policies every step of the way.
If you have questions about your order, cancellation options, or upcoming hatch dates, please don't hesitate to contact us or call 410-635-1970. We're always happy to help.