Chicken Delivery FAQs
Why have chickens delivered?
It is nice to be able to select your own hens from a pen, however, by choosing to stay in your immediate area you limit your choices and by buying from a small back garden set up you most likely won’t get vaccinated, guaranteed female or even fully healthy hens. We offer a higher level of quality and have raised the welfare standards of back garden poultry across the whole of the U.K. Why should you sacrifice quality due to your location?!
We have been there ourselves and there is nothing more heart-breaking than travelling for hours with the promise of lovely birds to arrive at a grotty back garden or farm and be shown unhealthy, skinny, sneezing hens with mycoplasma, scaly leg and mites!
Some of you as first-time keepers may not be aware of such issues and buy what you believe are healthy hens to then get them home and have them die or present illness, to then find your ‘breeder’ tells you tough luck and that’s the end of it!
Pipinchick Poultry are the leading supplier of pure and rare breed hens, we were the first in the U.K. to rear these types of breeds in the numbers we do and as such we have developed our own unique way of rearing that is gentle, sympathetic to each breed and as close to nature as it can be. We love each and every hen that we rear and put our heart and soul into raising them and by limiting farm visits we have found the hens are calmer, happier and live in a stress-free environment, without the constant anxiety of being selected per customer they live longer, have less behavioural issues and make better pets and back garden chickens.
This extra level of care shows in the final hen, they are friendly, healthy, sweet birds.
How often can you deliver chickens?
We usually offer 2-3 delivery days per week during the spring and summer months.
During winter we can usually offer 1-2 delivery days per week up until December when we slow down to 1-2 per 2 weeks. Delivery is usually within 14 days of your purchase, we will contact you by email after you make your purchase to offer a delivery date.
How do I select my hens for delivery?
Birds are selected by us as per your order, you can buy direct from our online shop or if you have some further questions prior to buying our lovely team are available to answer any questions and take your order via the phone or over emails. We have never had a disappointed customer on arrival, our pictures show an overall standard of each breed and most of the feedback we receive on delivery is that their hens look better than they expected. You can have your birds picked to your specification, let our team know if you want larger pomp poms, friendly or gentle characters, different colourings, clipped wing tips etc… we will be happy to select based on your wishes.
Where do you deliver chickens to?
We can deliver to anywhere in the mainland U.K. apart from north Scotland.
Sadly, we cannot deliver off the mainland or to Northern Ireland.
What happens if I have a poorly hen on delivery?
We never send any hens that are not old enough or strong enough for their journey, we have a 5-star reputation that we are very proud of, but more than that we care for the chickens and would not want them to endure suffering at all in any way.
As such, we guarantee 100% vaccinated, heathy and happy hens delivered to your door, we have a 10 day no quibble return policy, if any hen delivered shows signs of illness within the first 10 days of arrival we will help to resolve the issue or in a serious case we will come and collect the hen and replace or refund you. Please ensure if you do have a hen that is showing signs of illness or stress that you let us know immediately.
We will not be liable for any medical or vet bills unless prior agreed with our team.
Can I collect my hens?
Although we are not open to the public and run a closed rearing site we do offer collections.
We have various collection points around the U.K. Simply select which one you would like at checkout. Our farm local collection point BS40 6AX collections will be by appointment and we will arrange this with you after your purchase, for our other collection points they are at set locations on set days, all will be offered at checkout, simply select which option is best for you. There are small charges for collections to cover boxes, vans, drivers and fuel.
How much is the poultry delivery?
Poultry delivery is a flat rate per order as below:
Within 15 miles of BS40 6AX £3.00
For the rest of mainland England and Wales £60
Scotland (nothing north of Perth) £84
Sadly, we cannot deliver off the mainland or to Northern Ireland.
How many chickens can I have delivered?
We are happy to deliver 1-100 chickens it’s entirely up to you, there is no extra charge for additional boxes, our delivery rate is a flat rate per order regardless of how many hens you have ordered.
How do you transport the chickens?
All the hens are transported in our bespoke card boxes, these are made by us using long slits in the boxes instead of holes and this allows for better air flow through the boxes. We have multiple box sizes for the different breeds, we ensure that the boxes are not over packed and hens are free to move around, we are also conscious of compatibility when packing and will use more boxes if needed to ensure the hens are safe. We do not charge you for extra boxes, you pay a flat rate. We line every box first with absorbent chick paper, then with a generous layer of either wood shavings or Dengi Fresh-bed, this ensures your hens stay dry and clean, for longer journeys we infuse this bedding with lavender buds which help keep the hens relaxed and calm. We offer chopped water melon on their journey to keep them hydrated and will give them pellet feed to ensure they don’t get hungry.
How long will my chickens be in transit?
We endeavour to have chickens from our farm to your door in no more than 8 hours, we ensure hens are very well cared for on their journey and our expert chicken team are always on and for any problems.
I have placed an order for collection or delivery, how can I add to my order?
You can add to your order, however, best to let us know by email, and we can do this manually for you, if you put through a new order online you will be charged for delivery or collection again, simply email your additions to our team at pipinchick@hotmail.co.uk where we can manually add your items to your existing order, and take payment over the phone, or send you a payment link with an invoice by email.
When will I receive my poultry delivery?
We endeavour to deliver within 14 working days of your order, this can be as soon as a couple days after or may be the full 14 days wait, it will depend on what other orders and routes we have planned at the time you place your order. We contact you by email no late than 48 hours after your order to offer you a delivery date for your chickens.
Can you deliver hens during Bird Flu outbreaks?
Yes, provided you are not in a movement restriction zone we can still deliver hens to you during Bird Flu out breaks. As we do not use 3rd party couriers, we only deliver hens from our farm, there is no risk of cross contamination.
If I buy a chicken house or run and hens together will they be delivered at the same time?
No, we will arrange for your house or run to be shipped to you first, then when you are set up let us know and we will arrange either your poultry delivery or collection.
If I buy a chicken house or run and hens together will they be delivered at the same time?
No, we will arrange for your house or run to be shipped to you first, then when you are set up let us know and we will arrange either your poultry delivery or collection.
What happens if my collection or delivery date is cancelled?
Although very rarely, best laid plans can go wrong, if for any reason we have to cancel a collection or delivery due to weather, van availability, breakdowns, illness etc… we will always offer a solution first, this may be a new collection day or perhaps a free delivery instead, or for deliveries we may be able to offer an alternative day. If for any reason you are not happy with the alternative offers, we will of course refund you in full.
How does the collection work?
We have multiple collection points around the UK, we normally offer collection once every 2 months form these locations, you can choose which collection point you would like at the checkout stage, this allows you to select the collection date and location and we will hold on to your hens until this time. It is a more cost-effective way for you to receive our hens if you live far from the farm and do not want to pay the full delivery charge or drive all the way to us. This will come with a small charge of £10 for England and Wales and £30 for Scotland, this is to cover the cost of the van driver and fuel.
Do you use 3rd party couriers?
No, we do not use 3rd party couriers, we only use our own drivers who have been trained by us on how to safely transport the chickens and all have DEFRA courier licenses.
Is it safe to transport chickens?
Yes, provided you follow our guides and ensure the hens do not over heat or are transported for too long.
If I collect my hens, how should I transport them?
When you pick up your hens they will be already boxed and ready to roll, when in transport they fair better in the boot of a car or hatchback, do not sit with the box on your lap, or put the hens on the back seat, the prefer a dark and quiet area when being transported and too much stimulation can stress them out. On very hot days try and keep them as cool as possible, do not give them water, they won’t drink it and it will spill and ruin the box, if you’re worried we recommend giving chunks of watermelon, this will hydrate them enough without making your box wet. Do not transport for more than 6 hours at a time.
Will I need to bring a box for collections?
No, we provide box carriers for all poultry bought.
I have ordered hens and accessories for delivery or collection; will I get all at the same time?
Yes, if you have ordered both chickens and accessories and selected our poultry delivery, your accessories will be delivered with your hens. If you have selected to pick up your hens from one of our collection points, your accessories will be ready for collection at your chosen pick up point with your hens.
