Question 1

Do you sex your chicks/eggs? I only want hens.

Accepted Answer

We get asked this one at least several times a day here. No--we do not sex our chicks (or eggs). We sell straight run only.

Question 2

Do you have pullets/roosters for sale?

Accepted Answer

Maybe.  Please check out our products page for listings or shoot us an email at: info@blackwitchchickens.com to find out what's currently available.

Question 3

Do you offer a pickup option instead of having my chicks/eggs shipped?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Just check the local pick-up option during check out. When your order is soon to be ready we will schedule an appointment that works best for both of our schedules for you to pick up at our farm.  You can also leave us a note in the "optional shipping notes" if you'd like.

Question 4

Do you guarantee your hatching eggs?

Accepted Answer

In short, No. Our eggs are gathered daily and stored properly to ensure freshness and maximum viability.  We regularly check fertility here and know we are sending fertile eggs with every carefully packaged shipment. 
  
  Once the eggs are carefully packaged and shipped to you, the care and handling of eggs is out of our control. As with all shipped hatching eggs, hatch rates can not be guaranteed as there is no way to control the handling of eggs by the Post Office, or how you incubate them once they arrive. There are too many variables that we can't control once the eggs leave our farm.

The best advice we have ever heard (and give often), is that once the eggs arrive, carefully unpackaged them, place them in an egg carton pointy-side down and allow them to sit that way for 24 hours at room temperature before placing them in your incubator. This allows for the air sacs to settle and will give your eggs the best chance at hatching.

Question 5

Where did you get your flock of Ayam Cemani?

Accepted Answer

We’ve been working on our Ayam Cemani line for the past five years, starting out with a blend of the original imported lines from two other farms. Since then, we have been breeding our flock to the proposed standard for the breed, and even have added in new genes from another breeder in the Ayam Cemani Breeders Association. We are a small family farm who have dedicated years of our time to perfecting our line, so it would be like giving away years of our work to get more specific than listed above. There are enough birds circulating the country that there is virtually no risk to the lack of genetic variability within this breed. We all want to see the Ayam Cemani thrive as a breed and get admitted into the Standard of Perfection, but we will not be giving away our breeding strategies. Please note that this only applies to the Ayam Cemani, and we will be willing to disclose the lineage of our critically endangered breeds to help those birds thrive.

Question 6

Do you send NPIP paperwork?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we send NPIP paperwork with every order stating that they are free of disease and legal to ship/receive.

Question 7

When will my eggs be shipped?

Accepted Answer

If the eggs are in stock and not purchased as a preorder, then we ship within 1-2 weeks by USPS Priority Mail on Monday-Wednesday with holiday and weather delays taken into consideration. Our eggs are gathered daily and stored properly to ensure freshness and maximum viability.

Sometimes our hens like to go broody or organize a henhouse strike. In the case of an egg shortage, you will be notified of a new shipping date and/or offered a refund option.

If we choose to delay shipping due to inclement weather, expected holiday delays, or any other unexpected reasons, we will communicate with you to discuss other mailing options.

Question 8

Can you delay shipment of my eggs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you would like to pre-order eggs or prefer a later shipping date, please let us know in the shipping notes when ordering your product and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Question 9

Do you send extra eggs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we always try include an extra egg or two with each order whenever possible, just because we know one may not make it in transit and we really want to make nice and be friends with other chicken people, who share in the love of raising our unique breeds.

Question 10

Do I have to order at least six chicks if I am having them shipped?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this will keep them warm and with plenty of company to make the trip safely to your place.  There is a two chick minimum for pick-ups.

Question 11

If I pick up chicks instead of having them shipped, do I have to order the minimum of six?

Accepted Answer

No. You may order as little as two chicks, if you are picking them up.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions