Shipping policy
At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery, we take great care in preparing and shipping your chicks so they arrive healthy, safe, and ready to thrive. Because we ship live animals, our shipping process is carefully planned to prioritize chick health, warmth, and timely delivery.
If this is your first time ordering chicks, we strongly recommend reviewing our FAQ page for helpful background information:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/faqs/
How We Ship Baby Chicks
All chicks are shipped via USPS Priority Express, the only shipping service in the United States that transports live chicks. The United States Postal Service has safely shipped live poultry for over 100 years, making it the most reliable carrier for live chick delivery.
Chicks are shipped on select weekdays only to avoid weekend delays and minimize time in transit.
Most shipments arrive at your local post office within 1–2 days, though delivery may take up to 3 days in some rural areas.
When your chicks arrive, your local post office will call the phone number provided on your order. Please plan to pick them up immediately so they can be placed into a warm brooder as soon as possible.
Learn more about shipping expectations and timelines here:
👉 Cancellation Policy – Chesapeake Hatchery
Shipping Day & Chick Age
Chicks are shipped the same day they hatch. When they arrive at your post office, they are typically 24–72 hours old.
Newly hatched chicks absorb nutrients from the yolk sac prior to hatch, allowing them to safely travel for a short period without food or water when shipped properly.
To support chicks during transit, we include:
USPS-approved live chick boxes with proper ventilation
GroGel (a green, food-grade hydration supplement)
Snug packaging to help chicks retain warmth
Heat packs when needed, based on weather conditions
You can read more about GroGel and what to expect when chicks arrive home here:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/what-to-expect-after-getting-your-chicks-home/
Minimum Order Requirements (Shipped Orders)
For shipped orders, we require a minimum of 6 chicks per order. This minimum helps chicks maintain warmth and reduce stress during shipping.
Breeds may be mixed to meet the minimum quantity, provided all chicks share the same hatch date.
For local pickup minimums and procedures, please see our Local Pickup page:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/local-pick-up-information/
(Note: local pickup details are covered on a separate page.)
Placing Your Order
All chick orders are pre-orders. Each breed has specific hatch dates available at checkout.
Important ordering notes:
Orders are processed first-come, first-served
Hatch availability is limited
We recommend placing orders 2–6 weeks in advance to improve availability.
For more details, please review:
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
👉 Cancellation Policy – Chesapeake Hatchery
Substitutions & Omissions Policy:
👉 SUBSTITUTION & OMISSIONS – Chesapeake Hatchery
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs are based on the number of chicks in your order and include the USPS live poultry surcharge and all shipping materials – USPS approved shipping container, Grogel, Heat Packs, Extra Insulation if required and Shipping Matting to ensure safe shipping of chicks.
Up to 24 chicks: $57.50
25–35 chicks: $67.50
36–49 chicks: $77.50
$20 per dozen hatching eggs
Orders of 50 chicks or more qualify for wholesale pricing.
Wholesale ordering information is available here:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/
Tracking Information
You will receive a shipping confirmation email on your ship date with a clickable USPS Priority Express tracking number. This allows you to monitor your shipment until it reaches your local post office.
Arrival & Inspection
Once you pick up your chicks:
Open all boxes immediately
Inspect chicks carefully
Place them directly into a pre-warmed brooder
For brooder setup guidance, visit:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/how-to-set-up-a-brooder-for-baby-chicks-a-complete-guide-for-new-chick-owners/
Live Arrival Guarantee
Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery offers a Live Arrival Guarantee on all shipped chick orders.
Although rare, some chicks may not survive the first hours after hatching due to natural factors such as developmental issues or hatch stress. This does not necessarily indicate improper shipping or handling.
If chicks arrive deceased, we will issue a refund or store credit for the affected chicks (excluding shipping), provided the claim meets the requirements.
Full guarantee details are available here:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/shipping-live-arrival-guarantee/
Reporting a DOA
To qualify for a refund or credit:
Report losses within 24 hours of delivery
Email chicks@chesapeake-hatchery.com
Include:
Name on the order
Order number
A clear photo of the entire group of chicks in the box, showing DOAs
Total chicks received, total losses, and breeds affected
We do not reship individual replacement chicks, as shipping very small orders increases stress and risk for the birds.
Our Commitment to You
We raise and ship every chick with hands-on care and thoughtful planning. While working with live animals requires flexibility, our priority is always to provide healthy, high-quality chicks with clear communication and dependable support.
If you have questions about shipping, arrival, or preparing for your chicks, please visit our FAQ page or contact us directly:
👉 https://chesapeake-hatchery.com/faqs/
📞 410-635-1970