Shipping & Ordering procedures . . .
Happy Hens Hatchery will ship to most parts of British Columbia, Alberta and soon to include the United States. Thanks to wonderful Mother Nature, the chicks have had enough of the yolk after hatch to last them 72 hours without additional food and water but we will try to have your chicks to you within 24-48 hours. Please start them on food and water immediately upon arrival.
Shipping Minimums - To ship poultry safely the following are necessary:
Chicks 25 - Bantams 25 - Turkeys 15 - 20
Pheasant 30 - Ducklings 15 - Guineas 25
- Goslings 8-10
Care of Your New Chicks, Ducklings & Game-Birds;
It is our responsibility to supply you with healthy, happy and vigorous chicks, poultry, waterfowl and game-birds but it is your responsibility to make certain they receive proper care. After our live shipping guarantee poultry purchased is the responsibility of the purchaser. The survival growth and management of poultry is a result of many factors beyond our control, disease, equipment used, warmth, brooding temperature, light, setup of brooding area, feed used and stress to poultry. We can suggest many good books available on the raising and housing of poultry. These books are a must and excellent sources of reference for the first time or advanced poultry enthusiasts.
You will receive a care sheet with your order.
On Arrival:
Here are some suggestions for preparation of "day-old" poultry on arrival: • Do not keep your new chicks and waterfowl together. They cannot eat the same food because medicated food can seriously harm your ducklings. • Have your brooding room set up in-advance for the arrival, with the proper temperature. Temperature is very important. • If your chicks start to pile up or if they start to chirp a lot more, they are probably too cold or they may not have enough light. • Try to prevent any drafts with a brooding guard. • Try not to handle the chicks. They will be tired after the trip and will want to rest. • Work with them introducing them to their food and water. • If the chicks have had a long trip and possibly stressed, try mixing six tablespoons of sugar per gallon of fresh water. This should give them a boost. Keep the birds on this remedy for three to four days, or better yet purchase stress-aid and other beneficial products for poultry, such as vitamins supplements and for later on before lay, worming preparations. With the proper care your chicks will grow into a healthy, happy flock, for you and your family to enjoy. Happy farming!
Minimum Farm Pick-up Orders:
Day-old chicks: 5 chicks per breed or (our choice) a selection of our available chicks on hand. Exceptions are “chick day” and pick-a-chick house.” “Shipping minimums” please refer to page 3 “Shipping and Ordering Procedures.” If less than the packing requirement, please bring your own clean chick box for transport. Chick boxes are available for purchase at the farm if you should arrive without them.
Started Pullets: Custom Ordering: pre-order as chicks, and have us custom raise them for you! (inquire at hatchery)
minimum of 6 pullets please. ( When available )
Unfortunately Shipping Losses Do Sometimes Occur... and are beyond our control. This credit does not include "extra's" that may have been included in your order as a gift. Your shipment must be checked upon arrival and any mortalities must be reported in writing by the transport company or Canada Post if applying for credit. If any other losses occur within 48 hours of chick arrival fax: (604) 854-4325, write, or phone the office: (604) 854-4367 to report the loss and we will gladly apply credit to your next order. If a report is to be made, it should be made within 48 hours of chick arrival. Happy Hens responsibility to the purchaser shall in no case exceed the amount the purchaser paid Happy Hens Hatchery for the poultry. The original purchaser is guaranteed 100% safe shipping at the original purchase price with Happy Hens. The guarantee is not valid for chicks that are re-sold by the purchaser to others. Certain exceptions may be made to Registered Agents of Happy Hens Hatchery.
Ordering Information: All orders are shipped priority, expresspost or special courier. The most common method is priority mail. For $1 we will call to remind you that your chicks are on their way and that you can expect them the following morning. The Post office will also be notified to call and inform you that they have arrived. Please be prepared to pick-up the chicks right away. Shipping Greyhound is also available to most destinations within a 12 hour period (day trip) no overnights.
Shipping Charges: Happy Hens Hatchery charges a flat rate of $8.00, $9.00, $10.00 per 25, 50 or 100 day old chicks shipped xpresspost anywhere in B.C. with Canada Post. Shipping Priority Post is slightly higher. All Greyhound rates depend on destination and shipping weight. All other transport methods range in price. Please call to inquire.
Shipping Days: Orders will be shipped out of town on Wednesday and Thursday. Pre-ordered Chicks can be picked up at the farm Wed. 3-5pm & Thursday 10:30 - 4:30pm. Assorted chicks on-hand will be available during our business hours.. Started Pullet pick-up Thursday, Friday, and Saturday by appointment please. Please call ahead for availability and selection. To ensure availability of varieties we suggest you order a minimum of three weeks in-advance, this is especially necessary for the very popular heritage breeds that are ordered months in-advance by enthusiasts. With this method of ordering we will be able to reserve your choice of chicks for those hatch dates. When ordering your chicks, please specify the dates you want to receive your new chicks. If for some reason we are not able to ship on those dates, you will be notified. We do our best to see that your new chicks arrive on time. Orders are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Please give earliest and latest dates for delivery. All hatches are pre-planned and pre-sold so we don't usually have large numbers of extras. If we are short on a particular breed or the quantity requested, you may have to wait for the following week's hatch. Also please have a second or third choice of breed and color in case your first choice is not available. We do depend on Mother Nature and she is not predictable or he may-be?
Methods of Payment: All orders to be processed must be paid for on the day of ordering. We cannot reserve specific hatches or birds if a minimum of 25% deposit has not been received at the hatchery within 10 days of ordering and prior to hatch. If for any reason we cannot fill your order, we will offer you a substitute or full refund. Sorry, no refund on cancellations made one week (7days) prior to shipping. For your convenience, Happy Hens accepts Visa, Mastercard, cash, money-orders, and cheques. All cheques must clear the bank and full payment must be made prior to hatch and shipping dates. Sorry, no C.O.D. Shipments will not be made without payment prior to shipping. Pullets; cash only please.
