Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers!

All orders must be placed through our website using our secure online checkout system. For orders smaller than the 10-bird minimum, please contact us directly to place your order and schedule a pickup appointment.

Our typical hatch cycle runs on a four-week schedule. When placing your order on our website, you’ll be able to select your preferred available hatch date from the schedule. For smaller or last-minute orders, you can also contact us directly — we may be able to fulfill your request based on current availability

A minimum order of 10 chicks per breed is required. This policy helps ensure the health, comfort, and overall survivability of the chicks during both transport and the brooding period.

Smaller quantities are available for farm pickup only. Please contact us directly to place your order and schedule a pickup appointment.

Orders placed through our website are paid in full at checkout using any major credit or debit card. For small farm pickup orders placed by phone, payment is made at the time of pickup. We accept cards, cash, CashApp, and local checks for in-person transactions.

Throughout 2025, we saw a major decline in the reliability of USPS when it came to transporting live chicks. Shipping costs and special fees for live animals continued to rise, while delivery times became increasingly unpredictable. Unfortunately, many chicks did not reach their destinations on time, resulting in losses that were emotionally and financially devastating.

On top of that, the USPS claims process became long, confusing, and rarely resulted in reimbursement—even when delays were clearly documented. After experiencing repeated issues and seeing a noticeable lack of care for the animals entrusted to them, we made the difficult decision to discontinue all USPS shipping.

Today, we personally deliver to seven pickup hubs across Georgia and Florida, ensuring your chicks arrive alive, healthy, and on time—all at a significantly lower cost than traditional shipping. This approach allows us to stand behind our 100% Live & Healthy Arrival Guarantee with full confidence.

Your chicks will be carefully packed in secure, well-ventilated transport boxes designed specifically for safe travel. Most customers will receive their chicks in recycled cardboard transport boxes, which are sturdy, eco-friendly, and perfect for short trips home.

For our regular repeat customers, we also offer reusable plastic transport containers. These provide an extra level of durability and cleanliness. They’re loaned out at delivery and simply need to be returned at your next scheduled pickup.

We deliver to seven pickup hubs across Georgia and Florida each week, offering a reliable and affordable alternative to traditional shipping. Customers select their preferred hub during the online checkout process, making scheduling simple and convenient. Below is our current delivery schedule:

TUESDAYS – Florida Deliveries

Live Oak, FL ($25) — 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Parking lot of Home Furniture and More
1429 Ohio Ave N, Live Oak, FL 32064

Wildwood, FL ($75) — 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Parking lot of the Pilot Truck Stop
744 FL-44, Wildwood, FL 34785

WEDNESDAYS – Central & Southwest Georgia

Perry, GA ($40) — 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Parking lot of Circle K
1424 Sam Nunn Blvd, Perry, GA 31069

Columbus, GA ($60) — 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Parking lot of Microtel Inn & Suites
3930 St Marys Rd, Columbus, GA 31907

Bainbridge, GA ($60) — 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Parking lot of Circle K
1405 Tallahassee Hwy, Bainbridge, GA 39819

THURSDAYS – North & East Georgia

McDonough, GA ($175) — 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Parking lot of Circle K
978 GA-155 S, McDonough, GA 30253

Augusta, GA ($75) — 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Parking lot of the Pilot Truck Stop
4091 Jimmie Dyess Pkwy, Augusta, GA 30909

FREE Farm Pickup (Ray City, GA)

Customers may also pick up their chicks directly from the farm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays — BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

For full details on how our hub system works, please visit our Delivery Hub Program page.

If you miss your scheduled pickup window, your order will be returned to the farm. Because our delivery routes are tightly timed, we’re unable to wait beyond the posted window without delaying customers at the next hub.

You’re welcome to pick up your order directly from the farm no later than that Saturday, and a 25% feeding fee will be applied to cover the cost of caring for your chicks until then.

If the order is not picked up by Saturday, it will be cancelled in accordance with our Order Cancellation Policy.

To ensure your chicks get off to the best possible start, please have the following items ready before you pick them up:

✔ Warm brooder with a heat lamp (preheated and stable)
✔ Thermometer to monitor brooder temperature
✔ Electrolyte mix or sugar for their first drink
✔ Starter feed formulated for chicks
✔ Chick waterer with marbles (prevents drowning)
✔ Appropriate bedding — pine shavings only; no cedar
✔ Clean towels or paper towels for the first couple of days

Being prepared ahead of time helps reduce stress and keeps your chicks healthy, comfortable, and thriving from the moment they get home.

Follow these steps immediately when your chicks arrive to ensure a smooth, healthy start:

1. Unpack Immediately
Gently remove each chick from the transport box as soon as you get home. Check for any signs of stress, weakness, or injury so you can address them right away.

2. Hydration is Critical
Mix warm water (about 95°F) with a small amount of sugar or electrolytes (1 tbsp sugar per quart works great). Gently dip each chick’s beak into the water so they learn where it is and start drinking.

3. Prevent Drowning
Use a shallow chick waterer and add clean marbles or pebbles. This keeps chicks from falling in and drowning while they’re still wobbly on their feet.

4. Delay Feeding Briefly
Give chicks 1–2 hours to hydrate before offering food. Proper hydration reduces stress and helps them settle in, making them more likely to eat well once feed is introduced.

A proper brooder setup is essential for keeping your chicks warm, safe, and healthy during their first weeks. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Container:
Use a plastic tote, stock tank, or similar container with sides at least 12″ tall and plenty of room for chicks to grow and move around.

• Heat Source:
Use a red heat bulb in a clamp lamp. Avoid white bulbs at night (they disrupt sleep) and do not use heat plates for day-old shipped chicks, as they may not recognize them as a heat source.

• Temperature:
Start the brooder at 95°F, lowering the temperature by 5°F each week until chicks are fully feathered (around 6 weeks of age).

• Placement:
Place the heat source on one side of the brooder, creating a warm zone and a cooler zone so chicks can regulate their own comfort.

• Bedding:
Use pine shavings, paper towels, or straw. Never use cedar, as it is toxic to chicks. Keep bedding clean and dry, replacing it as needed to maintain a healthy environment.

Giving your chicks the right nutrition from day one is essential for strong, steady growth. Here’s what to provide:

• Feed:
Offer a high-quality 18–20% protein chick starter feed. Crumbles are ideal—easy for small beaks to eat and digest.

• Water:
Provide clean, room-temperature water at all times. Refresh it daily, or more often if it becomes soiled.

• No Treats Yet:
Avoid kitchen scraps, grit, scratch grains, or treats during the first week. Their digestive systems are still developing and need time before handling anything extra.

• Clean Daily:
Wash feeders and waterers regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and reduce the risk of disease.

Early observation and quick action are key to maintaining strong, healthy chicks. Here are the most important things to watch for:

• Pasty Butt:
This is a common issue where droppings stick to and block the vent. Gently clean the area with warm water and a soft cloth or paper towel, then apply a thin layer of coconut oil to help prevent it from returning.

• Lethargy or Chilling:
Healthy chicks should be alert, active, and peeping. If a chick appears cold, weak, or uninterested in food or water, move it to a warm area immediately and offer warm electrolyte water to help it recover.

• Ventilation:
Good airflow is essential. Keep the brooder well-ventilated but free from drafts. Regularly clean bedding to prevent ammonia buildup from droppings, which can damage the chicks’ lungs and overall health.