Blue Ribbon Creek & Co.
Running a small homestead is a little different than running a big box store. Most of what we sell is alive, edible, or custom made, and once those things leave the farm, they generally cannot come back.
Please read the following policies before placing an order. If you have questions, we’re always happy to help.
The Short Version
Items that are alive, edible, custom made, or consumable are non-refundable and non-returnable.
- Live animals
- Chicks
- Hatching eggs
- Table eggs
- Food products
- Custom laser items
- Personalized orders
- Consumables
If something arrives damaged during shipping, we will work with you to make it right.
Live Animals (Chicks & Poultry)
Chick purchases are a commitment. These are living animals that require immediate care, warmth, food, and water.
Pickup Policy
All live animals are local pickup only.
Once chicks or livestock are purchased or reserved
• They must be picked up within 24–48 hours
• Chicks cannot be held indefinitely
• After 48 hours, unclaimed chicks will be offered to the next reservation
Chicks must still be fed, heated, and cared for while waiting for pickup.
Because of this:
25% of the purchase price will be retained as a care fee if chicks are not picked up within the 48-hour window.
Livestock Health Disclaimer
All chicks and live animals are sold alive and healthy at the time of pickup.
Once animals leave our care, we cannot control the many factors that affect their health and survival, including:
• brooder temperature
• feed and water access
• stress during transport
• mixing with existing flocks
• environmental conditions
• predator exposure
Because of these factors, we cannot guarantee the health or survival of animals after they leave the farm.
Plain Farm Talk
When chicks leave here, they are healthy and ready for their new coop.
But once they head down the road with you, we can’t control brooder temperatures, curious house cats, or the rooster next door with an attitude problem.
Raising animals always carries some risk.
Hatching Eggs
We may offer shipped hatching eggs in the future.
Shipping eggs is a bit like mailing bubbles. We pack them carefully, but once the box leaves the farm we cannot control how the postal service handles it.
Broken Eggs in Transit
If eggs arrive broken:
• Photos of the damaged eggs must be provided
• Photos of the shipping box and packaging are required
• Claims must be submitted within 24 hours of delivery
Refunds are calculated per egg, not per order.
Example
If 1 dozen (12) hatching eggs are purchased for $60, each egg has a value of $5.
If 4 eggs arrive broken, the refund would be:
4 × $5 = $20 refund
The remaining eggs are considered successfully delivered.
Hatch Rate Disclaimer
Hatching eggs are sold as hatching eggs, not guaranteed chicks.
Please see our blog post, “Hatching Eggs: A Beginner’s Guide to Incubation Success,” for suggestions on incubator setup, egg handling, and tips to improve hatch rates.
Once eggs leave our farm, we cannot control many factors that affect hatch success, including:
• shipping conditions
• handling during transit
• incubator calibration
• humidity and temperature
• turning schedules
• incubation experience
For this reason:
Refunds will not be issued for poor hatch rates.
Damage Claim Time Limit
Any claim for eggs damaged in shipping must be reported within 24 hours of delivery.
Claims must include:
• photos of damaged eggs
• photos of packaging
• the shipping label
Claims submitted after 24 hours cannot be accepted.
This policy exists because once eggs have been incubated or handled extensively, it is no longer possible to determine whether damage occurred during shipping.
Farm Eggs & Food Products
For food safety reasons, all edible products are final sale.
This includes:
• farm fresh eggs
• food products
• baked goods
• consumables
Once food leaves the farm, it cannot be returned.
Custom & Laser Engraved Items
Most of our non-farm products are custom made or personalized.
Because these items are created specifically for the customer:
Custom items cannot be returned or refunded.
However, if an item arrives damaged during shipping, we will gladly replace it.
To request a replacement:
• contact us within 48 hours of delivery
• provide photos of the damage and packaging
We will review the situation and determine whether a replacement is appropriate.
Shipping Damage (Non-Animal Products)
If a shipped item arrives damaged:
- Contact us within 48 hours
- Provide photos of the item and packaging
- We will review the situation and determine whether a replacement or refund is appropriate
Custom Orders
Custom work begins once production starts.
Because custom items require time, materials, and design work:
• Custom orders cannot be canceled once production begins
• Custom orders are non-refundable
If there is a problem with your order, please reach out. We are reasonable people and will do our best to help.
A Final Word From the Farm
Running a homestead means caring for animals, making things by hand, and doing honest business with our neighbors.
We promise to:
• represent our animals honestly
• pack eggs carefully
• ship products responsibly
• treat customers fairly
In return, we ask that customers understand that farms operate a little differently than big retailers.
And remember:
Once a chicken leaves the coop, we can’t put it back in the egg.
Thank you for supporting small farms and homesteads.
— Blue Ribbon Creek & Co.
Contact Us!
ChickenTender@blueribboncreek.com
(850) 999-3773