Returns & Refunds
Return and Refund Policy - November 2026
SPARK NOTES VERSION:
(RETURNS:) Returns on livestock create a biosecurity risk for our farm and animals and are therefore, strictly prohibited. Misidentified guaranteed sexed pullets can be refunded or replaced, but cannot be returned. It is the purchaser's responsibility to re-home, repurpose or surrender to a local animal shelter any unwanted livestock they purchase from Deer Run Farm.
(REFUNDS:) Absolutely no refunds are offered for hatching eggs. Chicks, juveniles and started pullets may be considered for refund if they are reported within 48 hours of delivery, proof of loss is submitted and no husbandry ignorance on the customer's behalf is found to be at fault for the losses. Some additional reporting requirements may be necessary to be awarded a refund.
1. Returns
1.1 Returns of any livestock purchase from Deer Run Farm are strictly prohibited.
1.2 Why we cannot accept livestock returns: Returns of livestock are a biosecurity risk. We cannot accept returns of livestock that have already left our facility. Livestock that has left our facility has the potential to be exposed to disease that would put our flocks at risk if they were to be reintroduced to our flocks without prior testing. We cannot risk our flocks health and safety by accepting returns.
1.3 Actions you can take for unwanted livestock: Should you acquire livestock from us that you no longer want, it is your responsibility to re-home them, repurpose them or turn them in to your local animal shelter. Unauthorized returns of livestock will be reported to the police and animal control. Unauthorized returns of livestock are considered illegal animal abandonment and may result in criminal charges.
1.3.1 Hatching Eggs: All hatching eggs have a 50% chance of hatching a male chick. If you cannot keep male chicks, do not want male chicks, or do not have a plan for any male chicks, please do not purchase our hatching eggs. Unwanted chicks hatched from purchased hatching eggs are the responsibility of the purchaser.
1.3.2 Chicks: Purchasing straight run chicks means there is a 50% chance you may receive a male. If you cannot keep males, do not wish to have any males, or do not have a plan in place for males, please do not purchase our straight run only chick breeds. Sexing day old chicks is not always accurate and therefore, we maintain a 90% accuracy disclaimer on all sexed chicks. Unwanted chicks from these scenarios are the responsibility of the purchaser.
1.3.3 Juveniles: Our juveniles are 6 weeks old at the time of order fulfillment. Our juveniles are sold straight run only. We do not guarantee females. Do not purchase juveniles if you cannot have male chickens, do not want male chickens, or do not have a plan for male chickens. Unwanted male juveniles are the responsibility of the purchaser.
1.3.4 Started Pullets: Our started pullets are at least 12 weeks old at the time of order fulfillment. They are the only livestock we offer with a guarantee on their sex. Please report any misidentified males to us via email by stating your name, order number, the breed misidentified and supply a photo of the misidentified bird for our verification. It is the purchasers responsibility to re-home, repurpose or surrender to the local authorities the misidentified male. The misidentified bird will be considered for a replacement, refund or credit at our discretion.
2. Refunds
2.1 Refunds are only eligible on specific Deer Run Farm products, including chicks, juveniles and started pullets where circumstances meet refund criteria.
2.2 How refunds are awarded: Refunds may be awarded in the form of a return to the original payment method, store credit, gift card or replacement. We reserve the right to maintain discretion over the appropriate form of refund method used on a case by case basis. Refunds are limited to the cost of products only and will not include any cost of shipping charges as these are considered third party services, not products.
2.3 Refund requirements: Refunds are given at the discretion of Deer Run Farm and may require additional documentation or proof of loss to be granted.
2.3.1 Hatching Eggs: Refunds on hatching eggs are strictly prohibited. Hatching eggs are sold “as is” at buyer’s risk. We cannot be held liable for poor hatch rates and do not offer refunds nor replacements on eggs that do not develop or do not hatch. Please commit carefully when placing a hatching egg order with us. Hatching egg results will range anywhere from 0% - 100%. Do not purchase hatching eggs if you are not comfortable with the possibility of a 0% hatch rate. We cannot control shipping conditions, how the eggs are handled outside of our care, conditions which eggs are incubated, abrupt and unpredicted changes in mating and egg laying, as well as knowing if a particular egg was fertilized at the time of lay. All of these things are out of our control and for these reasons, we cannot be held liable for eggs that do not develop or do not hatch. By placing a hatching egg order with us, you acknowledge the inherent risks of fertilized eggs and accept that there is no reimbursement offered for eggs that do not develop or do not hatch.
2.3.2 Chicks: Refunds for chicks are granted to those that fall within the parameters of our 48 hour live arrival and livability policy. Chick losses must be reported within 48 hours of their delivery. We guarantee the safe arrival of your chicks, but do not cover mortality or health issues beyond 48 hours after delivery date. Customers must contact us via email (info@deerrunfarmmd.com) within 48 hours of chick delivery to be considered for any loss adjustments. A total count of all chicks received, a live count and a loss count must be provided, along with photos of losses for refund, replacement or credit consideration. Reimbursements are limited to the cost of the birds only and will not include any cost of shipping charges as these are considered third-party services, not products. Extra chicks are factored into any loss adjustments. We reserve the right to determine if refund, replacement or credit is best suited for reimbursement. Chick refunds will not be extended to any losses determined to be caused by husbandry ignorance, lack of preparedness or purchaser error that could have been avoided.
2.3.3 Juveniles: Refunds for juveniles are limited to reported losses within 48 hours of delivery only. All losses must be reported via email (info@deerrunfarmmd.com) within 48 hours of delivery to be considered for any loss adjustments. Proof of loss must be provided for refund consideration. Juvenile refunds will not be extended to any losses determined to be caused by husbandry ignorance, lack of preparedness or purchaser error that could have been avoided.
2.3.4 Started Pullets: Refunds for started pullets are limited to reported losses within 48 hours of delivery and misidentified males only. All losses must be reported via email (info@deerrunfarmmd.com) within 48 hours of delivery to be considered for any loss adjustments. Proof of loss must be provided for refund consideration. Misidentified males must be reported with photographic proof for sex identity verification. Started pullet refunds will not be extended to any losses determined to be caused by husbandry ignorance, lack of preparedness or purchaser error that could have been avoided.
2.4 Refund turnaround: Please allow a minimum of 24-48 hours for a response to any refund requests. Refund consideration will vary on a case by case basis. If a refund is approved and awarded:
2.4.1 Returned funding to original payment method may take up to 72 hours to process.
2.4.2 Store credits and gift cards will be immediate via customer account and email.
2.4.3 Replacements will have an agreed upon delivery by both buyer and seller. Replacements may incur additional third-party shipping fees and will become the purchasers responsibility.