Buyer Responsibilities

Buyer Responsibilities & Local Pickup Policy

At Wise County Chicken Farm, we take great pride in raising healthy poultry and helping our customers build successful flocks. Every bird leaves our farm after receiving the same level of care and attention we would expect for our own animals.

Because live animals are influenced by transportation, housing, nutrition, weather, husbandry, and many other factors outside of our control, ownership of live poultry carries inherent risks. This policy explains the responsibilities that transfer to the buyer once poultry leaves our care.

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to all live poultry purchased through local pickup, in-person sales, or local delivery from Wise County Chicken Farm.

For other purchases, please review the applicable policy:

Inspection & Acceptance

All live poultry is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS.

Buyers are responsible for inspecting each bird before taking possession. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the health or condition of a bird, they must be discussed before leaving our property.

Once poultry leaves the care of Wise County Chicken Farm, responsibility for the birds transfers entirely to the buyer.

Buyer Care Responsibilities

The buyer is responsible for providing appropriate care immediately upon taking possession of the birds, including but not limited to:

Safe, secure housing
Appropriate brooder temperatures when applicable
Protection from heat, cold, rain, drafts, and predators
Clean bedding
Fresh feed and clean water
Adequate ventilation and space
Routine husbandry and preventative care
Appropriate quarantine and flock integration practices

Every flock is different. Housing design, nutrition, weather, stress, transportation, travel time, and management practices all influence poultry health and performance.

Transportation Requirements

Safe transportation is one of the most important factors affecting poultry after pickup.

The buyer is responsible for providing a carrier that:

Prevents escape.
Provides adequate ventilation.
Has a solid floor with appropriate bedding or traction.
Protects birds from direct sunlight, rain, excessive wind, and temperature extremes.
Can be securely fastened inside the vehicle.
Provides adequate space without overcrowding.

Adult poultry may be transported in appropriately sized wire dog kennels provided they include a secured solid tray and non-slip footing.

Unsafe Transportation

Examples of transportation methods that may create unnecessary risk include, but are not limited to:

Cardboard boxes for extended trips.
Plastic totes without adequate permanent ventilation.
Open containers.
Loose poultry inside a vehicle.
Open truck beds or open trailers where birds are exposed to wind, rain, road debris, or extreme temperatures.
Overcrowded carriers.

Wise County Chicken Farm reserves the right to delay the release of poultry until appropriate transportation is provided if the proposed transportation presents an immediate animal welfare concern.

Weather & Transportation Recommendations

The safety of our poultry is our highest priority.

Weather conditions such as extreme heat, freezing temperatures, heavy rain, sleet, snow, high winds, humidity, travel distance, and the age of the birds all influence transportation safety.

Whenever practical, we may recommend adjusting pickup times to reduce unnecessary transportation risk. During hot weather, morning pickup appointments are strongly encouraged. During colder weather, pickups later in the day may be recommended.

If a customer chooses to transport poultry contrary to our recommendations, including transportation during extreme weather conditions, the customer acknowledges that they are voluntarily assuming the additional risks associated with those transportation decisions.

Transportation-related concerns that are reasonably believed to have resulted from decisions contrary to our recommendations—including transportation during extreme temperatures, prolonged travel, inadequate ventilation, inappropriate carriers, or unsafe transportation methods—may not qualify for discretionary review.

For additional guidance, please review:

Biosecurity

To protect the health of our flock and those of our customers, live poultry cannot be returned once it has left our property.

Because we cannot verify where poultry has been or what diseases, parasites, or environmental exposures may have occurred after leaving our care, all sales are final.

We strongly recommend quarantining newly acquired birds before introducing them to an existing flock.

Sex Identification

Unless specifically stated otherwise, sex identification is based on breed characteristics, development, and our experience.

Although we strive to accurately identify sex whenever possible, no visual sexing method is 100% accurate. Birds later developing as a different sex than anticipated do not automatically qualify for a refund or replacement.

Concerns After Pickup

If you experience a concern after taking your poultry home, please contact us promptly.

Wise County Chicken Farm may, at its sole discretion, review concerns on a case-by-case basis. Any assistance, replacement, exchange, credit, or other accommodation is entirely voluntary and does not constitute a guarantee or warranty.

Failure to follow recommended transportation, brooder setup, housing, feeding, temperature, quarantine, or general husbandry recommendations may affect eligibility for discretionary assistance.

Risk of Loss

Upon taking possession of live poultry, the buyer assumes all risks associated with ownership and transportation, including but not limited to stress, illness, injury, predator loss, escape, environmental exposure, or death.

Wise County Chicken Farm is not responsible for losses occurring after poultry leaves our care.

Questions?

If you have questions before your pickup appointment, we encourage you to contact us. We're happy to help you prepare so your new birds arrive home safely and have the best possible start.