Customer Purchase Agreement

We encourage all customers to commit carefully when placing orders. Hatching eggs and chicks are seasonal and limited. Pre-orders are offered to guarantee your place in line and to reserve a portion of our stock for that season. 

With your purchase, you accept the terms of the agreement with Open Gate Poultry (Katie Nemeth) “I understand orders placed are pre-orders - a place in line - that reserves a portion of stock for the season - and are filled by order number and availability from the flock. Open Gate has been shipping eggs since 2019 from MA to CA. I understand that by purchasing hatching eggs, they must be incubated for a length of time, at a certain temperature and humidity. There is not a hatch rate guarantee due to shipping and incubation factors. Once the order is filled, eggs are shipped USPS Priority and typically take 2-4 days to arrive.  Despite packaging the eggs securely - shipping them nationwide is a risk, and delays can occasionally occur. Katie would set eggs that arrive one week delayed. In a typical batch of shipped eggs a 50% hatch rate is considered a good hatch - but we hope for 75%+ success! Chicks (3 days to two weeks) and Pullets (12-16 weeks) continue to be local pickup only, and all batches are planned in advance for the season ahead.”

Cancellations  

Cancellations are strongly discouraged. They are an administrative burden and result in missed opportunities for other customers waiting for seasonal availability. Most farms do not offer cancellations. 

While we do allow cancellations as a courtesy, please understand: 

  • Credit Card processing fees are non-refundable, as the transaction was completed at the time of purchase and the credit card company (stripe, PayPal) keeps those fees

  • Canceled orders will not be welcomed back. If you cancel do not place future orders with Open Gate

  • If a future order is desired, we can issue a promo or gift card instead of a refund

We value respectful communication. Customers who are rude or disrespectful will have their order canceled and refunded (minus the non-refundable processing fee). Good communication ensures a positive experience for everyone. 

Order Adjustments 

We do not add on to existing egg-orders once placed - If you place a second order, there is no guarantee it ships at the same time as the previous one placed - unless they’re ordered the same day. We can sometimes add on to existing chick orders - for the same batch. 

Shipping Hatching Eggs

Since 2019, Open Gate has shipped USPS Priority. Eggs are securely packaged in custom egg foam - with the addition of newspaper, and incubation instruction. We always include extra eggs per dozen. 

Occasionally, customers select the wrong shipping amount at checkout - and will be invoiced for the remaining. The order won’t be filed for a ship date - until that balance is paid. 

  • Half to One Dozen is $40.00 (USPS Priority)

  • One and a half to Two dozen is $60.00 (USPS Priority) 

  • Ship orders are filled on Monday’s and Tuesday’s February - September.  

  • Once an order is fulfilled, customers receive an email that includes tracking information for USPS

  • We do recommend HOLD FOR PICKUP but SHIP TO HOUSE is an option - it’s the customers choice. 

  • Your incubator should be on 24 hrs before adding eggs.

  • All orders include extra eggs + hatching instructions + egg label information

USPS Perishable Handling Fee $15.00 

USPS has a new $15.00 Live Animal and Perishable Handling Fee to cover additional costs associated with handling and transporting all live animals and perishables, which includes hatching eggs. We need to account for the shipping supplies + insurance + (since Janaury 19, 2025) the extra $15 handling fee. NOTE: For orders that were placed between January 1 - January 28, 2025 we will pay the $15 handling per package. Be sure to file a claim if there is any damage due to mishandling of your package - because it’s shipped insured, and the fees have all been accounted for.

Damage Claims 

We include extra eggs per dozen! In the rare-case of substantial damage, a claim must be filed immediately with USPS. If the box has visible damage, upon pickup from USPS, please get a confirmation from the postmaster for the claim. Take lots of photos, and provide your order confirmation as proof of value. See FAQ page for more info.  If you need additional information for a claim (like proof of insurance paid for 1.5-2 dozen) from Open Gate please email. Any orders shipped 1.5-2 dozen are insured for the subtotal of the order. 

Customer Order Updates + Questions 

Customers are encouraged to email opengatepoultry@gmail.com if you have order questions or concerns. Typically a 48-hr response time.

HELPFUL RESOURCES page has incubator recommendations and more.

January 28, 2025