Customer Purchase Agreement
Since 2019, we have encouraged all customers to commit carefully when placing poultry orders - hatching eggs, chicks, and pullets. Poultry offers are seasonal and limited while care and cost is 365 days a year. The pre-orders are offered to guarantee the customer a place in line - to plan ahead - and to reserve a portion of our stock.
All the birds we share are 100% - from our farm - it’s years of selection and time. We are very selective with what comes in - and nothing ever comes back - due to biosecurity. Your support goes directly to our animals. It’s much different from a grain store or middle man that connects the customer to - hundreds of female chicks only - that should be a light bulb that the chicks are sourced from a large scale hatchery - the focus there is quantity over quality - no focus on temperament, type, or egg color. Looking back, it’s been 13+ years hatching - None of our birds have been sourced from a large scale hatchery - they’ve been hatched from select breeders - around the country. It truly makes a difference!
Open Gate orders are only placed at - opengatepoultry.com - Opening Day - January 6, 10AM ET - everything says “sold out” until then.
A special thank you to our repeat customers - you’re the best - sometimes we just send you special offers - not just everyone on the email list!
By completing your purchase, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms with Open Gate Poultry (Katie Nemeth):
At checkout: customers will now be required ✔️ to check that they have read the customer purchase agreement -or- wont be able to complete the purchase.
Pre-Order Acknowledgment
All orders are pre-orders, which reserve a place in line for a portion of Open Gate Poultry’s yearly stock. Part of the National Poultry Improvement Plan - MA-NPIP# 1362 PT + AI Clean. Orders are fulfilled in order-number sequence and based on current flock availability. It means orders placed on opening day - could take months to fulfill.
**Teachers: we work with a handful of teacher’s each year - we love hatches in the classroom! We love even more - when you tell us the plan for the chicks afterwards. If you are planning to hatch in the classroom this season, we highly recommend placing the order on Opening Day - and emailing us from your school email - prior to ordering - to discuss if we can be accommodating - for dates you have in mind - can’t always! The key here is being flexible on breeds (for schools: Rainbow Dozen + Delaware are popular choices) and emailing to discuss what eggs would be available to match your timeline.
Chick & Pullet Information
All chicks are straight run (male + female) by nature - most batches are 50/50. Chicks (3 days–2 weeks) and pullets (10–14 weeks) are local pickup only. All batches are planned ahead - for the season. Chick season is March - June and pickup dates vary - hatched in small batches - the eggs set in the cabinet incubators - have homes waiting!
Chicks are not vaccinated. If your flock is vaccinated (for mareks) then it’s best - you keep that up. We do like to provide medicated chick feed for a minimum of 6 weeks followed by B-12 vitamin. Whether the customer chooses to go medicated feed or not - that’s up to them - but we prefer not to risk coccidiosis.
Pullet pickup is Summer - See Pullet page - Pullet offers vary by year!
Egg Packaging & Shipping
We have been shipping eggs since 2019. Eggs are securely packaged in custom egg foam - double-boxed, with additional packing material for support - it does make a difference. Extra eggs are in the box - along with hatching tips. Eggs are labeled in pencil. Eggs have been successfully shipped nationwide since 2019 (MA to CA, AK, FL, TX, WA). The best eggs are in the box - fertility is checked often. Up to TWO dozen fit in one box. Box size varies from 12x12x8 - up to - 14x14x14.
Once the order is ready, eggs ship USPS Priority, typically arriving in 2–4 days, though delays may occur.
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.
One Dozen in foam, double boxed, USPS Priority- insured for $100 - $40.00
Two Dozen in foam, double boxed, USPS Priority - insured for $100 - $60.00
Shipped orders are filled Monday’s and Tuesday’s February - September.
Once an order is fulfilled, customers receive an email that includes tracking information for USPS
I would suggest - checking your email on Mon + Tue after 12pm - for the order tracking.
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
Hatch-Rate Disclaimer
By purchasing hatching eggs - the customer confirms they’ve read the full listing and understand what to expect. There is no hatch-rate guarantee, as hatch outcomes vary based on:
– location
– handling by USPS
– incubator type
– incubation methods
- viability: even well packaged eggs can be affected by the stress of shipping - the combo of temperature changes, jostling, handling. It may result in the embryo unable to develop. It doesn’t mean the eggs were not fertile. Open Gate Poultry was built on - hatching eggs - from select breeders around the country - which began in 2012. Customer Example: Mackenzie Murray - a 2025 customer (BCM) had 14 eggs shipped to her from MA - CA - 12 hatched! 9 ended up being female. It’s possible, but yes there’s a risk.
Even with excellent care, shipped eggs are never a sure thing. In most shipped batches, a 50% hatch rate is considered good — more is a bonus. Katie has set eggs delayed up to a week, but these delays may also affect viability.
Risk & Refund
Hatching eggs are ALWAYS a risk, and they ship USPS Priority. NO cancellations, refunds, or replacement eggs.
NO refunds for live birds - serious poultry enthusiasts only.
**If necessary, the customer may (by email) request an order delay or a gift certificate instead.
By completing the purchase with Open Gate Poultry, the customer:
– understands exactly what they are purchasing -
– accept the inherent risks of shipping and incubating hatching eggs
– committed to giving the poultry flock a happy, healthy, well-cared-for home.
Order refunds, cancelations, Delaying order
We operate based on short seasonal sales - and poultry care cost is year round. Once an order for live birds or hatching eggs is placed, it is considered final, but we are always happy to delay your order. When unexpected circumstances pop up, we kindly ask customers to push their order — either later in the season — or transfer to a friend or future order (we can provide a gift certificate). If we need to cancel your order — for example, due to an unexpected loss of stock, or another situation outside our control — you will receive a full refund.
We value respectful communication. Unfortunately - there’s been a handful of rude people over the years - Anyone that is rude will have their order canceled - and be blocked from future purchases (*there is a non-refundable processing fee). Good communication ensures a positive experience for everyone.
Order Adjustments
No add-ons to existing egg-orders. 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.
Damage Claims
We include extra eggs per dozen! In the rare-case of substantial damage, a claim can be filed immediately with USPS. If the outer box has visible damage, that’s better for the damage claim. Take lots of photos, and provide your order confirmation as proof of value. See FAQ page for more info.
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
FAQ page
Katie Nemeth
December 15, 2025