FAQ

Orders may be rescheduled up to four weeks before the hatch date if necessary. After that point, hatching has already begun, and we’re unable to make changes or issue refunds.

We understand that sometimes life happens—especially when orders are placed far in advance—and we’ll do our best to accommodate when possible. However, rescheduling does create challenges for our small farm, as we begin collecting, caring for, and setting eggs several weeks ahead of each hatch.

We ask that customers only request a change if it’s truly necessary.

We generally do not offer cancellations, but when unavoidable, store credit may be provided if the request is made at least four weeks before the hatch date. After that time, we cannot provide refunds or credit, as the hatching process is already underway and the eggs are living and developing.

No, our chicks are sold straight-run, meaning they are not sexed at hatch. We do this to protect the chicks’ wellbeing—vent sexing is stressful and invasive for day-olds.

If you are hoping for mostly hens, look for our sex-linked breeds (such as the Ebony Cross and Caramel Queens) or auto-sexing breeds (like Welsummers), which give a higher visual accuracy at hatch—usually 75–90%.

Please note that we cannot offer refunds or exchanges for roosters, as we maintain strict biosecurity and cannot accept any birds back to the farm.

We offer multiple shipping and pickup options depending on your location and season:

• Canada Post: Available April through July, weather permitting. If temperatures are unsafe, we may reschedule hatches at our discretion.
• Air North & Sea Air: Used for our Coast Hatch Days, which also align with pickup opportunities in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Merritt, Kamloops, and Armstrong.
• Farm Pickups: Available weekly in Cherryville and Armstrong year-round.

All shipped chicks travel in chick-safe boxes with good ventilation, so you do not need to bring your own containers for pickup.

Please note that shipping is at the buyer’s risk. We take every precaution to package chicks carefully and ship only during suitable weather.

To keep chicks warm and safe in transit, we have a minimum shipping quantity of 20 chicks per order. We recommend ordering in groups of 20–25 for optimal warmth and box balance during travel. Smaller quantities are available for farm pickup only.

Yes—we offer chick babysitting for customers who can’t pick up right away.

This service begins after Thursday of your hatch week, and costs:

• $5 per day for groups up to 25 chicks
• $10 per day for groups up to 100 chicks

We can hold chicks for up to seven days maximum, depending on space and weather. During that time, we provide:

• A clean, warm space
• Fresh organic, unmedicated chick starter
• Clean bedding
• Daily care to ensure chicks stay healthy and comfortable

Because chicks thrive best when they get home quickly, we encourage prompt pickup whenever possible. Babysitting is available for healthy, active chicks only, and cannot be extended beyond one week.

These are special hatch weeks when we coordinate Air North and Sea Air shipments for coastal customers. During those same weeks, we also offer local pickup at designated stops along the route—Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Merritt, Kamloops, and Armstrong.

If you live along this route, we recommend ordering specifically for a Coast Hatch so you can pick up close to home.

Each farm and pasture setup is different—feed type, temperature, and activity level all affect growth. Here are a few quick checks:

• Weigh regularly: Use our growth chart weekly. If birds are behind by 6–8 weeks, small adjustments make a big difference.
• Check protein levels: Use a 19–21% grower feed; mixing in a little turkey grower can boost protein.
• Feed access: Make sure all birds can eat at once and have feed available often.
• Add nutrient-rich extras: Dairy, cooked eggs, or bugs give an easy protein boost.
• Consider activity: Mistral Gris love to forage—but they can burn a lot of calories! A chicken tractor or smaller range helps conserve energy while still allowing pasture access.

Remember that Mistral Gris are a slow-grown, artisanal meat bird, not a fast-growing broiler. Raised patiently to 12–14 weeks, they produce exceptional meat with beautiful flavour.

No, we currently offer day-old chicks only. We do not sell started pullets or ship hatching eggs. Occasionally, local pickup for hatching eggs may be available in Armstrong or Cherryville, but these are not shipped.

No, we do not vaccinate our chicks. Our decision is based on keeping early handling gentle and minimizing stress immediately after hatch. We focus instead on strong breeding stock, careful incubation, and clean brooding conditions to support natural, healthy growth.

We understand that many hatcheries choose vaccination—this is simply the approach that best aligns with our farm’s values and methods.

Because we operate under strict biosecurity measures, we are not open to the public for tours or browsing. All pickups are arranged ahead of time to protect our flocks and yours.

At this time, we sell directly through our website and pickup locations only. We don’t currently offer wholesale or feed-store partnerships, though it’s something we may consider in the future.

No. We cannot accept any live birds back to the farm due to biosecurity regulations. Roosters can be raised ethically for meat, pet food, or as flock protectors.

No—we provide sturdy chick-safe boxes with good ventilation for all pickups. Your chicks will be safely packed and ready to travel home.