SHIPPING AND LOCAL PICK-UP INFORMATION
Chick Shipping
At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery (located in Preston, MD), we take pride in ensuring the safe and prompt delivery of your chicks. The USPS has recently enacted a $15 surcharge for the shipping of live poultry which we have added to the shipping charges. We continue to strive to provide the absolute lowest prices on our chicks and shipping to help offset this new charge by the USPS.
Here’s everything you need to know about our shipping process:
Chick Shipment
Our chicks are shipped using USPS Priority Express Mail on the same day they hatch. When they arrive at your Post Office, they will typically be 24 to 72 hours old. Please note that we ship day-old chicks exclusively on Tuesday or Wednesday. Day-old chicks have ingested the necessary yolk for nourishment for up to 72 hours. To keep them happy and well-nourished during transit, we include Gro Gel in the shipping box. Our shipping boxes are designed to provide a safe and warm environment for the chicks during their journey to you.
Placing Your Order
To secure your pre-order, it’s advisable to place it as soon as you determine the type and quantity of birds you want. Pre-Orders must be placed in advance. Each breed has various hatching dates, which can be chosen according to when you would like to receive your chicks. If you choose more than one hatching date on the same order, all of your chicks will ship on the latest hatch date. It is best to choose the same hatch date for all of your chicks. Orders are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and quantities are limited. Placing your pre-paid order early increases your chances of getting earlier ship dates for all of the breeds you want. Typically, we recommend placing your order 2 to 6 weeks ahead of your desired delivery date.
Calculating Shipping Costs
- Orders of up to 24 chicks are $30.00 + $15.00 (USPS Surcharge) = $45.00
- Orders of 25-35 chicks are $40.00 + $15.00 (USPS Surcharge) = $55.00
- Orders of 36-48 chicks are $50.00 +$15.00 (USPS Surcharge) = $65.00
- Orders over 50 are considered wholesale.
Please get in touch with us for pricing and shipping of wholesale orders.
Tracking Information
You will receive an email confirming that your order has shipped on your hatch date. This email will include a clickable tracking number that provides all the details you need to monitor your shipment’s progress right to your local Post Office.
Shipping Duration
After receiving the shipping confirmation email, expect your chicks to reach your local Post Office within 1 to 3 business days. Delivery times may extend to 3 days for rural areas. You will receive a call from your Post Office that the chicks have arrived. Please ensure your availability to pick up the chicks from your Post Office immediately.
Order Processing
Internet orders are processed in the order they are received
Arrival and Inspection
Upon receiving your chicks, please open all boxes immediately and inspect them. If you encounter any issues, especially if chicks are dead upon arrival, notify us within 24 hours.
Live Arrival Guarantee
We offer a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all poultry from Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery. We guarantee you’ll receive the correct quantity of live, healthy poultry you ordered. While we strive to add extra chicks when available, we cannot guarantee this for every order. If you experience losses during shipment, we will either replace the poultry or provide a refund at our discretion.
Refunds for Losses
For poultry that perish within 24 hours of arrival at your post office, we offer refunds for the cost of the birds only. This refund does not include vaccination services or shipping charges, as these are considered services, not products. To request a refund, please report your total losses at the end of the 24-hour period, providing a total count of all birds received, live count, loss count, and pictures of deceased chicks.
At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery, your satisfaction and the well-being of your poultry are our top priorities.
Local Pick-Up
Local Pickup Instructions
Here’s what you need to know:
Pickup Date: Your selected hatch date
Pickup Time: Between 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Pickup Location:
Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery
21571 Wood Wharf Road
Preston, MD 21655
When you arrive:
Additional instructions will be provided to ensure a smooth pickup process.
Chicks will be safely packaged for their ride home.
