Frequently Asked Questions

What You Should Expect

Not every chick we sell will be show quality or flawless. With our pullets and adults, we designate our birds according to our definition of Breed Quality and Non-Breed Quality. A Breed Quality bird possesses enough quality traits to meet the Standards of Perfection and will make an excellent show bird or breeding stock. Breed Quality does not mean these are flawless, however. Birds are like people—no one is perfect. Non-breed quality means the birds possess flaws, per the Standards of Perfection, that would be best not passed on to offspring. Breed and Non-Breed Quality has nothing to do with egg quality. We avoid the “English type” Marans, which are clean-legged—without feathers on the legs and feet, that is. Other examples of flaws include, but are not limited to: feathered middle toes, long shanks, yellow shanks, sparsely feathered legs and toes, and improper color markings. Non-Breed Quality birds are less expensive and ideal for someone whose interest is in the gourmet-quality Marans eggs. They are also a great choice for backyard enthusiasts who are prohibited from having a rooster.

Ordering and Payment

Orders should be placed online through our Store website page. You can also email us at info@thornfieldpoultry.com or call us at 984-297-0066. If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. Calls received before 3 pm will usually be returned that same day. We hatch and ship babies every week, from February through October, based on a first-come, first-serve queue. When you place your order, you will have the opportunity to leave a message at checkout with a preferred shipment date. We will try to accommodate your request, if possible, but we will not place your order before someone else’s and vice-versa. If you do not have a specific ship date request, then we will email you an estimated hatch date, based on our order queue. Payment in full is due when you place your order. We never, ever share or sell your personal information with any third parties. You may pay oinline or by check.

Checks may be mailed to:

Thornfield Poultry

Shipping

Orders are shipped on Monday or Tuesday via the United States Postal Service. We charge a flat rate of $35 for sending a box of chicks (20-chick maximum per box) via USPS Priority Mail Express. You will receive the tracking number by email and a text message when the birds are shipped.

To ensure the speediest shipment, all shipped chicks are carried to a USPS hub, either in Raleigh or Greensboro. Unfortunately, the USPS does not guarantee overnight delivery of chicks. Delivery often depends on your zip code location. Please contact your local post office and alert them of the expected delivery. Chicks will be held at your local post office for you to pick up. We encourage you to track your shipment progress.

72-Hour Live Chick Guarantee

A minimum of six chicks, five ducklings, or two goslings is required for a shipping order. Chicks and ducklings may be shipped together, but goslings must be shipped separately for the safety of the smaller breeds. Thornfield Poultry guarantees receipt of the same number of chicks ordered and their survival for 72-hour after you receive them. We strongly recommend you take a photo of your received chicks as soon as you pick them up. Please contact us immediately (no later than 72 hours after the receipt of your birds) via info@thornfieldpoultry.com and at 984-297-0066, if any chicks are dead upon arrival. Unfortunately, we do not replace deceased birds, but refund the value of the deceased birds. A photo will be required to complete your refund.

Pullet or Adult Bird Pick Up

We do not ship purchased pullets or adults. They must be picked up in person at a pre-appointed time at the entrance to our farm or a coordinated location.

Hatching Eggs

We do not sell hatching eggs.

Arrival of Day-Olds

When you receive your baby chicks, we recommend you immediately provide them with fresh water and a good chick starter. In the first week or so, we like to feed our young a mixture of water with a supplement called Rooster Booster in the ratio of ½ teaspoon Rooster Booster to 1 gallon of water. Your new chicks will need a brooder to stay warm until their down has been replaced by feathers and average night temperatures stay about 65 degrees. While we work very diligently to maintain a healthy flock, our birds are free-range, and as such, are exposed to diseases and parasites from other birds. We are NPIP certified, which means we are tested regularly by NC Department of Agriculture and our poultry are found to be free of Typhoid, Pullorum, Avian Influenza. In addition, we have random stool samples regularly tested by an independent, third party for parasites. Nonetheless, free range birds are at risk for exposure to Coccidia and other parasites and contagions, so we strongly encourage you to quarantine your new chicks for at least three weeks in a location away from your other birds.

Order Cancellation

You may cancel your order for a full refund, if cancelled more than 30 days prior to your anticipated ship date. If you cancel your order within 30 days of your ship date, there will be a 50% late cancellation fee, which will be 50% of your original order total, excluding the shipping fee, if applicable. The balance will be promptly refunded.

NPIP Certification

We are NPIP Certified in the State of North Carolina, meaning our poultry flocks are tested every 6 months and certified free of Pullorum-Typhoid and Avian Influenza. Our NPIP participant number is 55-1482.

No Farm Tours

We are very proud of our farm and would love to share it with you, but due to biosecurity concerns, maintaining our NPIP certification, and the safety of visitors and our livestock guardian dogs, we are unable to provide farm tours.