About Us

Agreement to Terms

By placing an order with Shaded Shells, you confirm that you have read and agree to these policies in full. If anything is unclear, please contact us before purchasing. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not complete a transaction. These policies are firm and apply to all orders.

Biosecurity & Returns

We are a working farm and follow strict biosecurity to protect our flock. For that reason, no returns or exchanges are accepted for poultry or eggs. Once an order leaves our property, it cannot be brought back under any circumstance.

Chicks

Orders & Fulfillment

• Chick orders cannot be canceled, changed, or refunded.
• Shipments go out as chicks become available or as previously arranged.
• Because we work with live animals and nature, orders are filled in the order received.

Live-Arrival & Refunds

• Refunds are issued only for chicks that arrive deceased or die within 24 hours of arrival.
• You must pick up your chicks from the Post Office within 2 hours of their arrival notice.
• If any chicks arrive deceased, contact us immediately with photos for verification.
• Refunds cover only the lost chicks. When we include extra chicks, those extras are not covered by refunds.

Care on Arrival

• For the first 48 hours, do not mix your new chicks with birds of other ages or with chicks from other orders. Losses from mixing are not covered.
• Prefer replacements instead of a refund? We can ship replacements when available; buyer pays the additional shipping.

Hatching Eggs

Sales, Payment & Scheduling

• All hatching-egg sales are final. No cancellations, changes, or refunds after purchase.
• Payment is due at checkout.
• Orders ship as availability allows or as previously discussed, and are fulfilled first-come, first-served.

Shipping & Packaging

• We ship via UPS or USPS using a flat rate that covers shipping and packaging materials.
• We pack carefully and label clearly, but once a package leaves our hands, handling is outside our control.

Hatch Rates

• We send fresh, fertile eggs, and conduct monthly fertility checks to ensure fertility. We see an average of mid 90% hatch rates at our farm.
• Because factors like shipping conditions, incubation methods, and environment vary, we do not guarantee hatch rates. After shipment, hatch outcomes are the buyer’s responsibility.

Selecting the Correct Shipping

• Please choose the correct shipping option at checkout. If an incorrect option is chosen, we will invoice the difference and will not ship until all shipping charges are paid.

Inspection & Carrier Claims

• Inspect your package and eggs immediately upon delivery.
• If eggs are damaged—whether or not the box shows damage—report it directly to the shipping carrier and file a claim with them.
• Shaded Shells is not responsible for eggs broken or damaged in transit and does not file claims on behalf of customers.

Pre-Orders

• Pre-orders for eggs or chicks are processed in the order received.
• Winter pre-orders generally begin shipping once weather permits, typically March. By ordering, you acknowledge fulfillment may take several months.
• No specific ship dates are guaranteed. Hatch and lay rates depend on natural factors outside our control.
• We will contact you a few days before shipment. If you cannot receive the order at that time, notify us immediately so we can move to the next customer and reschedule your shipment.