Live Arrival Guarantee

Live Arrival Guarantee

At Chesapeake Farm & Hatchery, the health and safe arrival of your chicks is our priority. We offer a Live Arrival Guarantee on all shipped chick orders and take great care in preparing and shipping chicks to ensure they arrive healthy and ready to thrive.

Dead on arrival (DOA)
Although rare, chicks may occasionally arrive deceased. Even under ideal conditions, some chicks may not survive the first hours after hatching due to natural factors such as development, hatch stress, or genetics. This does not necessarily indicate improper shipping or handling. Early life is delicate, and occasional loss is a normal part of poultry production.

What the guarantee covers
If chicks arrive deceased, we will issue a refund or store credit for the affected chicks, excluding shipping, provided the claim meets the requirements below.

How to report a DOA
To qualify for a refund or credit, you must report losses within 24 hours of delivery by emailing chicks@chesapeake-hatchery.com. Please include your name, order number, a clear photo of the entire group of chicks in the box, and the total number received along with the number and breed of chicks that arrived deceased. Claims submitted outside the 24-hour window cannot be accepted.

Important notes
We do not reship individual replacement chicks, as shipping very small orders increases stress and risk. The Live Arrival Guarantee applies to shipped orders only.

Heat plate policy
By placing an order, you agree not to use a heat plate as a heat source for your chicks. Heat plates do not provide adequate or consistent warmth for newly hatched chicks and can increase the risk of illness and loss. Use of a heat plate voids all guarantees, including the Live Arrival Guarantee.