At Wild Oak Acres, live chicks are raised as part of our ongoing breeding program and offered in limited batches when availability allows. Because we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our birds, we do not ship day-old chicks. Please review this policy carefully before purchasing.
Age at Shipment
Chicks are shipped at approximately 2–4 weeks of age, once they are strong, stable, and past the most fragile early stage of life. This approach supports better outcomes during transit and acclimation.
Chick Box Structure
Chicks are sold in Chick Boxes only, with each box containing six (6) chicks.
- Orders ship in increments of 6 or 12 chicks.
- If multiple chick boxes are purchased, shipping will be combined whenever possible.
- Individual chick sales are not available outside of this structure.
Shipping Schedule
To minimize transit time and stress on the birds:
- Live chicks are shipped Mondays and Tuesdays only.
- We do not ship during shortened federal holiday weeks.
- Shipping dates are determined by availability, weather conditions, and the readiness of the chicks.
This schedule helps reduce the risk of delays and extended time in transit.
Shipping Method and Tracking
Live chicks are shipped via USPS Live Animal Shipping and are held at the recipient’s local Post Office for pickup.
Tracking information will be provided once your order ships. While we carefully prepare each shipment, transit conditions and carrier handling are outside our control.
Weather and Shipping Conditions
The health and safety of our birds is our top priority. Chicks will only be shipped when weather conditions are safe at both the origin and destination.
We reserve the right to:
- delay shipments due to weather or environmental conditions
- adjust shipping dates as needed
- cancel shipments if conditions are deemed unsafe
If a shipment must be delayed for safety reasons, we will communicate updated timelines whenever possible.
Pickup Responsibility
USPS notifies recipients when live chicks are ready for pickup. Customers are responsible for monitoring tracking information and collecting chicks promptly once they arrive at the Post Office.
Delays in pickup may void the Live Arrival Guarantee.
Live Arrival Guarantee
We offer a limited Live Arrival Guarantee for chicks that arrive deceased (DOA).
To qualify:
- Any losses must be reported within two (2) hours of pickup from the Post Office.
- Clear photo documentation is required, including:
- the shipping box as received,
- the contents of the box,
- and the chicks in question.
- Photos must be taken before any chicks are removed from the shipping box.
This guarantee applies only to chicks that arrive deceased and does not cover losses occurring after the initial pickup window.
For verified DOA cases, we may offer a replacement or credit toward a future order at our discretion. Shipping fees are non-refundable.
Nature of Live Animal Shipping
Shipping live chicks involves inherent risks beyond our control, including delays, handling by carriers, and environmental exposure. While we take every reasonable measure to prepare healthy, well-started chicks for transport, outcomes cannot be guaranteed beyond the conditions outlined in this policy.
Acceptance of Policy
By purchasing live chicks from Wild Oak Acres, you acknowledge and agree to the terms outlined in this policy.
