TERMS & CONDITIONS

OVERVIEW

Pip and Grow is the owner and operator of this website. The terms “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Pip and Grow when you use this website. You, as the user, are granted access to this website by Pip and Grow including all information, tools, and services available from this site, subject to your compliance with all applicable terms, conditions, policies, and notices.

The following terms and conditions (the “Terms of Service,” “Terms”), which also include any other terms, conditions, and policies referenced herein or accessible by hyperlink, apply to any use of our website or any purchases you make from us. All site users, including browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and content contributors, are subject to these Terms of Service.

Please take the time to carefully read these Terms of Service before using or accessing our website. You accept to be bound by these Terms of Service by using or gaining access to any part of the website. You are not permitted to use any of our services or access the website if you disagree with any of the terms and conditions stated in this agreement. Your acceptance is conditional upon your acceptance without modification of the offer contained in these Terms of Service.

FERTILE EGGS

Despite our efforts to provide quality eggs and secure packaging, a single mishap during transit can compromise the entire batch, leading to poor viability and hatch rates. We cannot ascertain the quality of each customer’s incubator, their skill level, or how the eggs have been incubated. While we can offer fertile eggs, we cannot guarantee successful hatching nor assume full responsibility for the outcome. Hatch rates can vary greatly, ranging from 0 to 100%. We advise avoiding purchasing fertile eggs if you are not fully aware of the associated risks.

Please make sure to read – Reasons why fertile eggs cannot be Guaranteed and associated risks

In these Terms & Conditions, the following terms will be used:

• Fertility rate – This refers to “how fertile our eggs are.” It is determined by us through testing during our incubation process under controlled conditions.
• Viability rate – This indicates “how many fertile eggs became viable.” While eggs may be 100% fertile, not all develop embryos that become viable for various reasons such as shipping damage or incorrect incubation.
• Hatch rate – This measures “how many chicks hatched out.” Embryos develop during incubation, but not all of them hatch.

1. Fertility – We hatch our eggs weekly to fortnightly to maintain a fertility rate of above 85% to 90% during the breeding season from August to December. However, please be aware that if you purchase eggs outside of this breeding season, typically from January onward, you may experience lower viability and hatch rates. During this time, heritage chickens undergo various changes, including weather fluctuations and molting.The shift in weather can divert their energy towards keeping warm, while molting requires a significant portion of their nutrient intake to regenerate feathers. These changes can affect the quality of the eggs produced during this period.
   
   
2. If there is a genuine concern that poor viability may be attributed to poor fertility rather than the mentioned risks, it is imperative to contact us within 10 days of the incubation period with the requested evidence. Assistance will be provided as outlined in the “Fertility Matters” guide.
   
   
3. Hatch rate – The hatch rate is beyond our control and depends on various factors, including the type of incubator used and how the eggs are incubated. Factors such as humidity, temperature, weather conditions, the quality of the incubator, egg-turning methods, and lockdown conditions during incubation all play a role. Please note that eggs posted via mail generally have a lower viability rate due to handling during transit. This includes factors such as the rough handling of parcels, exposure to temperature fluctuations, pressure changes during transport, sorting processes, and potential X-ray scans.
   
   
4. Egg quality – We offer hatchable eggs based on our incubation process, ensuring they are clean, undamaged upon packing, and proven to hatch successfully. However, eggs are natural products laid by hens and can be affected by environmental and other factors.
   
   Some eggs may develop blotchy or porous shells during transit. We do not believe this will impact the viability or hatch rate based on our observations and experiences hatching our own eggs. Therefore, we are unable to provide replacements or refunds for this occurrence. Please refrain from purchasing if you have concerns regarding this matter.
   
   Please read more details about Blotchy or porous shelled eggs
   
   
5. Please expect to observe imperfections in our birds. While we’ve sourced our parent stock from reputable breeders and strive to breed as close to the current poultry standard as possible, perfection is an ongoing pursuit. Not all offspring from champion bloodlines will exhibit championship traits. Poultry standards and shows focus on the appearance of birds within standard descriptions, not the purity of bloodlines or genetics. Therefore, breeders may incorporate birds from other breeds to achieve desired traits, leading to genetic variability in offspring. Read more about “Show Quality”
   
   This variability, known as a “genetic throwback,” may manifest as one or very few incorrect traits among the majority of correct ones for the breed standard. While this should occur in a small percentage of the hatch, the birds remain considered pure and suitable for backyard purposes. However, they must be excluded from the breeding program or exhibition. Read more about genetic throwback
   
   On the other hand, a “crossbreed” occurs when two breeds are intentionally bred without a specific purpose, often resulting in offspring displaying traits from both breeds with no discernible pattern.
   
   It’s essential to understand these distinctions when considering our birds, and we remain transparent by honestly stating any observed genetic throwbacks in our breeding program descriptions.
   
   
   
6. SHIPPING – All of our orders are posted via Australia Post Express Post with a tracking number. Our process involves using the Australia Business Portal to input addresses exactly as received from our customers, and labels are generated by machine. Upon dispatch, we will email two photos per order: one showing the eggs before packaging with the shipping label, and the other displaying how the order is packaged with the shipping label attached.
   
   – Shipping to WA: Western Australia (WA) has stringent biosecurity restrictions, leading parcels to take additional days to arrive and often displaying as “Delayed” on tracking. All our parcels are posted with a custom declaration detailing breed specifics. WA customs may opt to inspect a parcel and request an inspection fee from the recipient before releasing it. While this occurrence is rare and can happen to any parcel entering from other states by random selection, please be prepared if ordering from WA.
   
   – Egg fertility in relation to delayed delivery: Studies indicate that egg fertility gradually declines after 14 days post-collection. We prioritize posting the freshest eggs generally collected from Thursday to Monday, as we reserve older eggs for our own incubation purposes. Therefore, even if a parcel remains in transit for an extended period, the viability of our eggs is minimally affected by time and more so by physical damage (e.g., air cell damage) incurred during shipment handling.
   *more info found https://www.poultryhub.org/anatomy-and-physiology/incubation
   
   
   
7. Please understand the risks involved. We do not wish to discourage you from purchasing fertile eggs; however, it’s essential to comprehend the variables beyond our control. While we strive to ensure our precious eggs arrive undamaged, we cannot guarantee it. Various factors, such as shipping damage, internal damage despite external integrity, exposure to extreme temperatures, sorting errors, customs issues, and unexpected delays, can significantly impact the viability of the eggs and the hatch result.It is the customer’s responsibility to research prior to ordering, follow up on their shipment, and pick up the parcel as soon as possible upon arrival to minimize any potential risks.
   
   
8. We cover for damaged eggs upon arrival and offer store credit for the damaged egg value. Please see Damaged on Arrival guarantee page for more info. Customers can also lodge a claim with Australia Post. Express Post covers up to $100 if the parcel is lost or damaged, using the invoice and photos we provided via the dispatch notice email. We appreciate your cooperation in resolving any issues promptly.
   
   
   
9. To cancel any confirmed orders for fertile eggs, customers must contact us via email as soon as possible by replying to the order confirmation email. We offer store credit or rescheduling for cancellation requests made with at least 3 days’ notice prior to the shipping or pick-up date. Please note that no refunds will be provided for cancellations made with less than 3 days’ notice. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in adhering to this cancellation policy.
   
   
10. By ordering, purchasing, or making payment, you acknowledge that you have agreed to our terms and understand the associated risks.
    
    

DAY OLD CHICKS

1. A minimum purchase of 4 chicks is required for their well-being. Day-old chicks thrive in small groups, where they can snuggle, play, and interact. Being part of a group allows them to bond, and if any unexpected issues arise, they still have others to rely on. Additionally, transitioning to outdoor life, such as integrating into an existing flock, is easier for chicks raised in a small group.
   
   
2. Our sexed chicks are hatched from eggs genetically bred to auto-sex by their color and markings upon hatching. In the rare event that a chick is incorrectly sexed, we offer either a refund of the purchase price or a replacement guarantee. Please see Our Guarantee for more details
   
   
3. Unsexed chicks come from other heritage breeds that cannot be sexed upon hatching. We do not have any breeds that can be sexed by common methods such as wing feather sexing.
   *https://www.cacklehatchery.com/what-is-feather-sexing-separating-fact-from-myth/
   
   The ratio of male chicks in our “Unsexed” batches can vary widely, ranging from 0 to 100%, and unfortunately, it’s beyond our control. We want to ensure that all our customers fully understand this variability before making a purchase. If you’re not comfortable with this level of uncertainty, we kindly advise against purchasing our “Unsexed” chicks.
   
   We do not possess the skills of a professional “Vent sexer” or “Probe sexer,” which require years of training. Our unsexed chicks are offered as they are by Mother Nature, and selection is solely up to the customer upon pick-up. Read more
   
   
4. All of our chicks are hatched using incubators and hatchers at our Littlehampton property, where strict biosecurity protocols are in place and no breeding birds are kept. We handle the hatching and vaccination process onsite, ensuring the chicks receive necessary care and protection. They are kept in a sterile brooder environment without outside exposure until their immune systems are fully developed post-vaccination. Vaccinated chicks are expected to be kept in quarantine for 3 weeks without any outside contact until they develop full immunity. It’s important to note that any vaccination is not considered valid if chicks are exposed to the outside environment within the quarantine period, including other birds (including broody hens and chicks from other breeders), grass, ground, pens, and coops that have been previously used. “Vaccinated chicks” do not guarantee 100% protection from disease, as each bird may react differently, and numerous variables beyond our control exist after pickup. We do not assume responsibility in this regard.
   
   
5. *We guarantee our chicks 48 hours after pick up. We are unable to cover for losses caused by customer mishandling, such as injury, brooder conditions, or incorrect care. Determination of mishandling will be made by us. Please contact us immediately if you notice anything unusual. We will provide replacement chicks if available, or offer store credit. Please see Our Guarantee for more details
   
   *Conditions apply
   – Chicks must be cared for under the right conditions after pickup. We may ask questions and request photo evidence.
   – We do not cover for loss of chicks traveling longer than 2 hours from us due to various factors during transportation.
   
   
6. We are unable to accept returns or swaps for any chicks, adult chickens, or roosters once they leave our hands due to biosecurity reasons. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of our own birds.
   
   
7. Day-old chicks are expected to be picked up within 3 days from the pick-up notice. An extra charge will apply for extended periods of brooder time. Please refrain from placing an order if you are unable to pick up your chicks within 3 days from the estimated hatch date, unless per-arranged. Thank you for your cooperation.
   
   
8. NO REFUND will be provided for any orders once payment is received and the order is confirmed, unless the order is cancelled by us. Our chicks are allocated according to our booking schedule, and day-old chicks have a very small time frame for placement under broody hens. However, we will provide a full refund if we are unable to fulfill your order due to unexpected circumstances such as incubator failure or power outages.
   

CHICKS, PULLETS, COCKERELS, HENS AND ROOSTERS

1. We will clearly state the sex of the bird, specifying whether it is a “pullet,” “hen,” “cockerel,” or “rooster.” If the bird is too young or not showing any signs of a certain gender, we will state that it is “UNSEXED.”
   
   
2. If we mention “Pet home only” in the description, we kindly request that you respect our wishes and refrain from breeding the offered birds.
   
   
3. Our birds will be monitored and health-checked prior to sale. We encourage you to inspect the bird upon pickup and ask any questions you may have. Please note that once our birds leave our property, we are unable to take any responsibility, take them back, or provide refunds due to biosecurity reasons and various other variables.
   
   
4. We prefer our birds to be picked up in person locally. However, we are open to considering interstate transport if necessary. Please note that arranging transportation will be strictly the buyer’s responsibility, including payment to the chosen transport company. Additionally, there will be an extra fee for “Care & Transport,” covering the cost of caring for the birds until transport arrives in Adelaide, as well as meeting the transport and any other necessary arrangements. This fee will be calculated based on the duration of care and other factors. FULL payment is required to process and confirm the order, and no refunds will be provided unless the order is cancelled by us. While we take every precaution to ensure our birds are healthy prior to departure, we cannot take responsibility or provide refunds once the birds leave our hands, as there are many variables that can occur during transport. It is at the buyer’s risk.
   
   

ORDER, PRICE, PAYMENT, REFUND AND PICK UP

1. We make every effort to update our website promptly regarding order availability and waiting periods. Each fertile egg order is processed individually per breed, which facilitates ordering different breed eggs for customers but can complicate back orders, especially during busy periods or off-working hours. As a small family-run business, we lack dedicated administrative staff available at all times. Therefore, our estimations of waiting periods may occasionally exceed or fall short of stated times. In such cases, orders may be subject to cancellation by us or the customers if the waiting period exceeds expectations. Refunds will be processed as promptly as possible, excluding credit card processing fees.
   
   
2. We reserve the right to alter sale prices at any time and without prior notice. In addition, we reserve the right to alter or discontinue the Service or any of its features without prior warning. Our prices are subject to change based on various factors such as seasonality, demand, and the cost of feed, among others. We do not match our previous prices or those of other breeders. Our pricing reflects what we believe is fair for the quality of our birds and eggs, rather than being influenced by external pricing. Any price changes, modifications, suspensions, or discontinuance of the Service shall not be construed as our liability to you or any third party.
   
   
3. We accept payment via bank transfer (upon request), credit cards, Eftpos, or cash on pick up for walk in. For website orders paid via bank transfer, payment must be processed through our account before shipment or pick up.
   
   
4. A surcharge will be applied to all credit card and Eftpos payments processed through the Square payment system. This surcharge typically ranges between 1.6% to 2.2% and is automatically calculated and applied during the transaction. Please note that the processing fee will not be refunded in the event of order cancellation or partial refund. Only the original cost of purchase, excluding the fee, will be refunded, as Square does not refund fees for cancelled or refunded orders.
   
   
5. Anytime and for any reason, we reserve the right to deny service or sales to anyone. In the event of cancellation, if payment has been made, the full amount excluding processing fee will be refunded along with a cancellation notice.
   
   
6. We reserve the right to inspect the transportation conditions upon pick-up and may request improvements if necessary. Furthermore, we reserve the right not to sell our birds if we deem the travel conditions unsuitable.
   
   
7. We guarantee a refund if we are unable to fulfill any order. Refunds will be processed within 48 hours.
   
   
8. We are unable to hold any eggs unless they are paid for. Our eggs must be incubated fresh and delivered quickly to customers. We cannot risk changes of mind affecting egg freshness, and it wouldn’t be fair to the next customer in line.
   
   
9. We are unable to hold or allocate our chicks unless they are paid for. Day-old chicks are often sold for broody hens, which require freshly hatched chicks for the best results. As live animals, we have a responsibility to find them good families and homes as soon as possible.
   
   

LIABILITY

Our liability for any losses you may suffer under or in relation to any sales or after is strictly limited to the sale price. Furthermore, we are not responsible for any losses including time, labor, loss of income, feed and other raising costs, any incubation-related expenses including electric bills and utility bills, cleaning and sanitizing related expenses, vet bills, medication, testing, and any medical-related costs, or indirect, special, or consequential loss. Please note that credit card payment processing fees are not included in this liability.

ACCURACY AND USE OF INFORMATION

1. We make no promises regarding accuracy, or completeness of the information on this website. The information provided is only meant to serve as a general guide and should not be used as the only basis for making decisions. Before making any decisions, we suggest that you check out primary, accurate, complete, or timely sources of information. You do so at your own risk if you rely on the information on this website.
   
   
2. We reserve the right to change the site’s contents at any time. You are in charge of keeping an eye on any alterations made to our website.
   
   
3. All content on this website, including images, is meticulously curated by Pip and Grow. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content without permission is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.
   
   

VARIATIONS TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions at our discretion without notice. Customers will be subject to the policies and terms in force at the time of placing an order.

We strive to satisfy our customers and regret any disappointment. Please understand that various factors can affect our service. Your feedback is valuable as even small issues can impact our family business and our dedication to heritage chickens.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further inquiries.