Customer Purchase AgreemenT

We encourage all customers to commit carefully when placing orders - Hatching eggs and chicks are seasonal and limited. if you can’t wait - don’t order. The pre-orders are offered to guarantee your place in line - to plan ahead - and to reserve a portion of our stock for that year. We continue to offer hatching eggs. chicks, and pullets. Our website is restocked each January. If you wait til’ March then some offers will be sold out already - for the year.

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 Open Gate Poultry stock for that year - and are filled by order number and availability from the poultry flock. All chicks are straight-run (male+female). Chicks (3 days to two weeks) and Pullets (10-16 weeks) continue to be local pickup only, and all batches are planned in advance for the season ahead. All eggs are shipped double boxed, in protective foam, plus newspaper on the bottom for added support. Eggs have been shipped since 2019 from MA to CA, AK, FL, TX, WA. I understand that by purchasing hatching eggs: I have read the listing - and know what to expect - There is no hatch rate guarantee - location - incubators -and incubation methods vary greatly between every person and USPS Priority shipping and handling - is not always kind to packages. The OG flock grew over the years - only from hatching eggs - and we have a lot of repeat customers each year! With that said, if you can’t risk disappointment - don’t order hatching eggs in the mail - it’s not a sure thing.

Once the order is filled, eggs are shipped USPS Priority and typically take 2-4 days to arrive depending on where you live.  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 - it’s wonderful to get more than that!

AGAIN - HATCHING EGGS ARE ALWAYS A RISK - THEY SHIP USPS PRIORITY. NO REFUNDS OR REPLACEMENT EGGS once the order is sent via USPS. WITH YOUR PURCHASE: YOU AGREE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PURCHASING + ACCEPT THE RISK OF GROWING A SUCCESSFUL - HAPPY - WELL CARED FOR - POULTRY FLOCK”

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: 

  • To Cancel, email opengatepoultry@gmail.com - Typically a 48-hr response time

  • 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 have the option: Would you like a gift card? (Yes - The door is open - if you’d like to purchase in the future. No - The door is closed - please don’t order from us again).

We value respectful communication. Customers who are rude and 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 - double boxed - 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) - insured for $100

  • One and a half to Two dozen is $60.00 (USPS Priority) - insured for $100

  • 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

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.

January 28, 2025