Frequently Asked Questions

Buying birds

How do I buy a bird I see on the marketplace?

Click Contact Breeder on the listing. Your message goes straight to the breeder. They reply directly with availability, pickup date, or shipping details. You pay the breeder directly - we don't sit in the middle of your transaction.

What's NPIP and why does it matter?

NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) is the USDA program that certifies flocks as free of certain diseases. Most states require NPIP certification for interstate shipments of live birds and hatching eggs. We strongly recommend buying only from NPIP-certified breeders - look for the green NPIP badge on a listing.

Can birds be shipped to my state?

Day-old chicks and hatching eggs ship via USPS Express to most US states. Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands have import restrictions. Some states (CA, NY, GA, others) require pre-shipment notification or specific permits for adult birds. Confirm with your state Department of Agriculture before ordering adults.

What is the Live Arrival Guarantee?

Three tiers. Tier 1 (free, included) covers DOA within 24h. Tier 2 (+8%) covers DOA within 72h plus first-week loss at 120% credit. Tier 3 (+15%) covers 14-day loss plus sex guarantee on sexed birds. Full guarantee terms here.

How do I file a guarantee claim?

Snap a photo of the birds in the shipping box and a photo of the shipping label, then go to /claim.html and submit within your tier's claim window. We review within one business day.

Selling birds

How much does it cost to list?

Free. We don't take a cut of your sales. The free plan includes 5 active listings. Pro ($29/mo) bumps that to 50, Elite ($99/mo) is unlimited. Full pricing here.

How long does listing approval take?

Free plan: within 24 hours. Pro plan: within 4 hours. Elite plan: same-day. We review every listing to keep the marketplace healthy and to verify NPIP claims when present.

How do I get the Verified badge?

Pro and Elite plans both include verification. We ask for a copy of your current NPIP certificate or state hatchery license. Once we verify, you get a green Verified chip on every listing.

Can I sell on Facebook and Craigslist too?

Yes. We have no exclusivity. List wherever brings you the most buyers. We just want to be part of the mix.

Trust & safety

What if a breeder ghosts me?

Reply within 5 business days is part of our breeder agreement. If a breeder ghosts you, email support and we'll either find a replacement breeder or issue a Live Arrival credit, depending on whether you paid.

Do you sell my email to third parties?

Never. We share your contact info only with the breeder you inquire with. We send our own newsletter only if you opt in.