Hatching Eggs FAQs
Q: Do you guarantee hatch rates?
A: No. Once eggs leave our farm, we have no control over handling, shipping, storage, or your incubation practices, all of these things effect egg and embryo viability. We guarantee eggs are fresh, fertile (from proven pens), and properly packaged.
Q: How do you ship eggs?
A: Eggs are individually wrapped in bubble wrap, placed in egg cartons and carefully packaged in sturdy boxes with extra bubble wrap around them. We have tried multiple methods of shipping and have found the highest success rates this way. We ship Monday-Wednesday via customers approved method UPS, PUROLAOR, CANADA POST (we highly suggest expedited to avoid delays or exposure to drastic changes in temperature)
Q: How fresh are the eggs?
A: Eggs are shipped within 3-5 days of laying. Fresher eggs generally have better hatch rates and we will always send out the freshest eggs we have available.
Q: How should I store eggs before incubating?
A: Gently open package and unwrap each egg allowing them to air out. store eggs at room temperature pointed end down, in a place with stable temperature for 24 hours before you begin incubating (this allows the air cells a chance to settle after transport). Some people suggest they have higher success with shipped eggs if they leave the eggs unturned for an additional 24 hours once placed into the incubator. If you do this however, remember to turn the egg turner back on or resume manual egg turning 24 hours after the beginning of incubation.
Q: Should I let eggs rest after shipping?
A: Yes! Let eggs rest at room temperature for 24 hours after arrival before placing in the incubator. This allows them to settle after being jostled during transport.
Q: What if eggs arrive damaged?
A: Please be aware that we cannot be responsble for postal service handling. We do our best to package eggs appropriately but sometimes even with all the fragile stickers, packages are handled roughly. unfortunately most couriers at this moment in time do not offer insurance on hatching eggs. If it is a minor crack, you can try melting candle wax to seal it and monitor the egg closely during incubation.
Q: Can I pick up my hatching egg order?
A: Yes! Pickup is always the best option for hatch success. No shipping stress for the eggs!
Chicks FAQs
Q: What does "straight run" mean?
A: Straight run means chicks are unsexed - Chickens don't have external genitalia, so to determine gender you need to take invasive procedures, which we do not do. Customers will receive a random mix, Generally expect close to 50/50, but ratios aren't guaranteed. We do however offer a rooster return program
Q: Do you ship chicks?
A: We do not support the process of shipping chicks as it is extremely high risk and can be an incredibly unethical and fatal trip. Pickup can be made at our farm or we have arranged delivery dates to ensure that chicks are transported in the most ethical way possible. Our chicks all get chamomile tea and vitamins to help their nervous systems during travel.
Q: What vaccinations do chicks receive?
A: All our chicks come unvaccinated unless otherwise requested. We carry the Mareks Vaccine and depending on order size, we can discuss vaccinating your chicks :)
Q: What is the rooster return program?
A: We understand not everyone can keep roosters and that not everyone wishes to utilize their roosters for meat. Due to the increase we've seen in roosters being unethically dumped in the forests, or the growing support for commercial industries simply to avoid being stuck with roosters, it was important that we could provide customers with an alternative. We accept roosters back from chicks that have been purchased from us. Customer must be able to transport birds to us on an agreed upon date. All roosters are butchered immediately upon being returned at the very back of our property to practice biosecurity and avoid any risk of disease to our flocks. Organs and feet are donated to local animal shelters. Please contact us for details and availability.
Q: What's the minimum order quantity?
A: 3 chicks minimum per order. This can be mixed breeds.
Q: When will my order be ready?
A: Orders are fulfilled from our waitlist in the order received based on hatch success and availability. We'll contact you when we are ready to begin your incubation to collect a deposit and confirm a chick pick up or delivery date and location. Sometimes if we have extra chicks hatch out, or if someone cancels their order last minute, we may reach out with last minute chicks available. If you are not ready for chicks and decide to pass up on your order when we reach out to you for deposit, your spot on our waitlist remains and we will simply reach out to you the next time we are beginning another incubation.
Q: Can I choose specific colors or patterns?
A: For breeds with varieties (like Ameraucana and Red Laced Wyandottes with blue, black, and splash colours), we try our best to accommodate preferences listed in your order form, but cannot guarantee specific colors as it depends on what nature hatches out for us:)
Q: What if I don't respond when you contact me?
A: If we reach out to confirm your order and don't receive a response in a reasonable time, especially if you've read our message, we'll move to the next person on the waitlist. We have limited chicks and many people waiting!
Q: How do I care for day-old chicks?
A: Please take the time to research basic chick care. Chicks need: heated brooder (you can find charts online that indicate how warm they need to be with each week they age) chick starter feed, fresh water, a predator proof brooder away from adult birds and clean bedding. We're happy to answer care questions!
Chicken Breed FAQs
Q:Which breed is best for beginners?
A: All of our breeds are excellent for first time flock owners and beginners. Our Wyandottes are particularly resilient and forgiving of beginner mistakes although the majority of our offspring all inherit small combs making them very cold tolerant and their high quality heritage genetics make them more resilient overall in comparison to commercial breeds.
Q: Which breeds lay the most eggs?
A: All of our breeds are honestly fairly similar with specific olive eggers or easter eggers varying from one another. Some of our best layers are also our best mother hens, so they often take a break while they raise their young. Our Ameraucana are the least broody which provides the least amount of maternity leave (aka egg shortage haha)
Q: I want colorful eggs - which breeds?
A: - welcome to chasing the egg rainbow ;) Ameraucana lay blue eggs. Our forest eggers provide a wide variety of green tones ranging from spearmint to dark olive and provide a chance at earthy espresso browns as well. Wyandottes lay a light beige egg with an occasional soft pink hue. Our Rainbow eggers are a variety of all breeds listed above PLUS some of our more rare egg laying birds that can give you a chance at speckles, and heavy blooms that produce pink, mauve, purple and grey eggs
Q:Are your chickens cold-hardy?
A: Yes! All our breeds are selected for Canadian winters. Ameraucanas, Wyandottes, and Rainbow Eggers are particularly cold-hardy given that they are a heritage breed with short combs
Q: Do any of your breeds go broody?
A: We do not have a breed that is particularly prone to broodiness, rather each hen has her own parenting goals and sometimes once one starts, the baby fever spreads throughout the flock.
Q: Can I mix different breeds in one flock?
A: Absolutely! All our breeds have great temperaments and integrate well in mixed flocks. That being said, chickens in general when given the option, like to congregate in groups of their own breeds and colours haha
Q: What's the difference between Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers?
A: Ameraucanas are a purebred heritage breed that lays blue eggs. Easter Eggers are hybrids that can lay blue, green, olive, or pink eggs. Rainbow Eggers often have Ameraucana genetics but aren't purebred.
Q: How long do chickens live?
A: With proper care, most heritage breeds live 6-8 years. Egg production decreases after 3-4 years in heritage breeds but they still make wonderful pets or can be great mothers to raise future generations.
Q: How much space do chickens need?
A: Minimum: 4 square feet per bird in the coop, 10 square feet per bird in the run. More space is always better and leads to happier, healthier chickens.
Hatching Program FAQs
Q: How long is the program?
A: 25-26 days total from start to finish. This includes incubation (21 days) plus a few days for chick snuggles before equipment and chick pickup.
Q: What's included in the program?
A: Everything! Incubator, eggs, brooder, supplies, educational materials, setup/pickup service, and complete support throughout.
Q: What age group is appropriate?
A: All ages! We've had successful programs with preschoolers through high school. The experience is engaging and educational for everyone.
Q: What if eggs don't hatch?
A: Hatching has natural variation. It is extremely rare that you have no eggs hatch when incubation steps are followed properly. In the case of user error, we are not responsible for losses, and unfortunately with how closely our programs run back to back we may be unable to provide you with new eggs to begin incubation over again. In the rare case that there is 100% loss due to unforeseen equipment malfunction, we will provide a free repeat hatching program. Typically expect 50-70% hatch rate, though it can vary.
Q: Can we keep the chicks?
A: Yes! If you are wanting to keep your chicks we just need to know a minimum of 7 days BEFORE your program start date so that you are able to select your breeds and pay for the hatching eggs.
Q: Do you deliver equipment?
A: Yes, within our service area (Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton Valley). Each location has varying delivery fees, so please contact us for confirmation.
Q: What if something goes wrong?
A: Contact us immediately! We provide support throughout and will troubleshoot or provide replacement equipment if needed.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: As early as possible! Programs book months in advance, especially for spring season.
Q: Can I cancel or reschedule?
A: See our cancellation policy. Cancellations with 14+ days notice receive full refunds. Shorter notice incurs fees. We'll work with you on rescheduling when possible.
Q: What's your cancellation policy?
A: - 14+ days notice: Full refund. 8-13 days notice: 50% fee. 7 days or less: 100% fee/charge
Orders & Payment FAQ
Q: How does the waitlist work?
A: Complete the waitlist form and pay a $10 deposit. We fulfill orders in the order received based on availability and hatch success. For a complete breakdown on our waitlist policies please view our "Order Form" page
Q: Is the $10 deposit refundable?
A: The $10 deposit is non-refundable but is applied toward your final order total. Having a deposit ensures serious customers and covers our admin time in the instance of cancelations
Q: What if I'm not ready when you contact me?
A: Let us know! We can move you further down the list. However, if you don't respond at all (especially if you read our message), we'll move to the next person.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
E-transfer, cash, and credit cards. Details provided when we confirm your order.
Q: Do prices include tax?
A: All prices on our website include taxes when applicable
Q: Can I get a refund?
A: Egg and Chick deposits are non-refundable. For educational chick hatching programs, see our cancellation policy. In the rare case there are chick deaths, we offer refunds for any unforeseen losses, pleas keep in mind we do not provide refunds for losses caused by human negligence. You must contact us within 24 hours of your loss(s). We do not provide refunds on hatching eggs.
Q: Do you offer discounts for large orders?
A: Yes! Orders of 12 or more chicks receive 10% off their order total! For bulk orders 30+ chicks we can discuss wholesale prices - please contact us.
Have More FAQ?
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Contact us:
Email: mountainviewfarmbc@gmail.com
Instagram: @mountainviewfarmbc
We typically respond within 24-48 hours.
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This is a title. Click here to edit.
A: All of our breeds are excellent for first time flock owners and beginners. Our Wyandottes are particularly resilient and forgiving of beginner mistakes although the majority of our offspring all inherit small combs making them very cold tolerant and their high quality heritage genetics make them more resilient overall in comparison to commercial breeds.
This is a title. Click here to edit.
A: All of our breeds are excellent for first time flock owners and beginners. Our Wyandottes are particularly resilient and forgiving of beginner mistakes although the majority of our offspring all inherit small combs making them very cold tolerant and their high quality heritage genetics make them more resilient overall in comparison to commercial breeds.
This is a title. Click here to edit.
A: All of our breeds are excellent for first time flock owners and beginners. Our Wyandottes are particularly resilient and forgiving of beginner mistakes although the majority of our offspring all inherit small combs making them very cold tolerant and their high quality heritage genetics make them more resilient overall in comparison to commercial breeds.
This is a title. Click here to edit.
A: All of our breeds are excellent for first time flock owners and beginners. Our Wyandottes are particularly resilient and forgiving of beginner mistakes although the majority of our offspring all inherit small combs making them very cold tolerant and their high quality heritage genetics make them more resilient overall in comparison to commercial breeds.