Highland Homestead and PCGNA

[Chickychicchickenshack]

Man, I ordered a dozen hatching eggs(to be delivered mid March) from a small hatchery in Minnesota called Highland Homestead. I recently noticed that their website stated that they had been bought by the PCGNA(Poultry Conservation Group of North America). No notice via email to people who had spent money there. I tried to follow up a few times via contact info on their website, no response. The website is now out of commission and I can’t find ANY info on this PCGNA group.

These people took my money in January, along with countless other customers who pre-orders hatching eggs for this Spring. If you happen to be one of these people, start pursuing a refund with your bank.

Also, if anyone has heard of this PCGNA group and knows how to contact them, let me know.

I’m heartbroken, I’ve been planning for these hatching eggs for MONTHS I’m seeking out other breeders, but this is just an all around situation.

Yeah I put in an order for Isabel ameracaunas spent $100 in December, checked website account February 9,2021 it showed my order fulfilled that day (company taken over same day according to website) no eggs ever delivered, no email nothing, I too tried to contact them, no way to do it, took a picture of a hand written note that I wrote out to explain to company what was happening and linked it to a broken egg form on their website trying to communicate some way, all social media accounts pulled and no info about PCGNA group online that I can find, I totally feel scammed and it’s irritating because we don’t have extra money to burn! If they are legit not a great way to start a business

 

[Stephanie8806]

Yeah I put in an order for Isabel ameracaunas spent $100 in December, checked website account February 9,2021 it showed my order fulfilled that day (company taken over same day according to website) no eggs ever delivered, no email nothing, I too tried to contact them, no way to do it, took a picture of a hand written note that I wrote out to explain to company what was happening and linked it to a broken egg form on their website trying to communicate some way, all social media accounts pulled and no info about PCGNA group online that I can find, I totally feel scammed and it’s irritating because we don’t have extra money to burn! If they are legit not a great way to start a business

Ugh, I’m so sorry this happened to you too!!! So frustrating. Poor business practices for sure on the original company owner. Since she’s the one who accepted payment and orders, she’s the one who had the responsibility to fulfill or refund. I honestly doubt this new PCGNA even exists... like, if they have enough liquidity to buy out breeding operations, how is there ZERO reference to them anywhere else?!?

I have a feeling something major happened, like a death, divorce, flock disease, or financial hardship that caused her to have to drop everything super fast. I’m sorry for her if that was the case, but Karma is a bitch and from the sounds of things, she screwed a LOT of people over. You reap what you sow.

 

[Chickychicchickenshack]

Ugh, I’m so sorry this happened to you too!!! So frustrating. Poor business practices for sure on the original company owner. Since she’s the one who accepted payment and orders, she’s the one who had the responsibility to fulfill or refund. I honestly doubt this new PCGNA even exists... like, if they have enough liquidity to buy out breeding operations, how is there ZERO reference to them anywhere else?!?

I have a feeling something major happened, like a death, divorce, flock disease, or financial hardship that caused her to have to drop everything super fast. I’m sorry for her if that was the case, but Karma is a bitch and from the sounds of things, she screwed a LOT of people over. You reap what you sow.

Yeah thanks for the advice to call bank and add a dispute, I did it as soon as I read your experience

 

[Stephanie8806]

UPDATE: Still no news or contact, but my bank was able to retrieve my money and get it back into my account. If you have ordered and not received your chicks yet(even if they weren’t scheduled for a bit longer) start the process now.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

My guess is one business was ended and new company created by same owner.

 

[BnSFarms]

Hey guys. I just read your experiences. Get your money back ASAP.

I bought Isabel Ameraucana hatching eggs from Kelsey (Highland Homestead) last year. They were overpriced, horribly packed, and tiny pullet eggs. For $150 she only sent *exactly* 12, no extras. The size of d'uccle eggs. Packed in an egg carton with 1 piece of paper in each slot, then packed in some newspaper. To no one's surprise, 4 were broken. 2 hatched, both died young. I told her straight up how unacceptable the eggs and packaging were for $150. She gave me a 50% refund and blocked me on IG. I'm a large account myself, so that's pretty bold and she's lucky I didn't call her out publicly. Looking at the situation you are all going through now, I should have.

Just as a comparison I bought a dozen Isabel Ameraucana hatching eggs from the originator of the breed this year. $25 less, 18 large eggs, packed immaculately with only 1 cracked. Highland Homestead is second rate garbage.

 

[Stephanie8806]

Hey guys. I just read your experiences. Get your money back ASAP.

I bought Isabel Ameraucana hatching eggs from Kelsey (Highland Homestead) last year. They were overpriced, horribly packed, and tiny pullet eggs. For $150 she only sent *exactly* 12, no extras. The size of d'uccle eggs. Packed in an egg carton with 1 piece of paper in each slot, then packed in some newspaper. To no one's surprise, 4 were broken. 2 hatched, both died young. I told her straight up how unacceptable the eggs and packaging were for $150. She gave me a 50% refund and blocked me on IG. I'm a large account myself, so that's pretty bold and she's lucky I didn't call her out publicly. Looking at the situation you are all going through now, I should have.

Just as a comparison I bought a dozen Isabel Ameraucana hatching eggs from the originator of the breed this year. $25 less, 18 large eggs, packed immaculately with only 1 cracked. Highland Homestead is second rate garbage.

Thank you for sharing your experience! I’m sorry you didn’t review her too, it would have been nice to see some negative feedback.

I hope others are able to get their money back. My bank had no problem with it, so I hope people act quickly

 

[FrogBellyFarmNH]

Man, I ordered a dozen hatching eggs(to be delivered mid March) from a small hatchery in Minnesota called Highland Homestead. I recently noticed that their website stated that they had been bought by the PCGNA(Poultry Conservation Group of North America). No notice via email to people who had spent money there. I tried to follow up a few times via contact info on their website, no response. The website is now out of commission and I can’t find ANY info on this PCGNA group.

These people took my money in January, along with countless other customers who pre-orders hatching eggs for this Spring. If you happen to be one of these people, start pursuing a refund with your bank.

Also, if anyone has heard of this PCGNA group and knows how to contact them, let me know.

I’m heartbroken, I’ve been planning for these hatching eggs for MONTHS I’m seeking out other breeders, but this is just an all around situation.

Hello!! I feel your pain! This happened to me as well. $185 and the hope of an exciting hatch gone.
I tried, unsuccessfully, to get a refund thru BBB. I also filed a claim with my bank.
My experience with Kelsey at Highland Homestead, and this shady "PCGNA" coverup was just awful and really frustrating.
Unfortunately, I've encountered dozens of other folks, families and farmsteads who have been scammed by her. She is a professional con artist.
Its a real bummer and makes it hard to trust online hatching egg vendors---but still, im so thankful for this awesome, fun, hatchin' community!!

 

[Stephanie8806]

Hello!! I feel your pain! This happened to me as well. $185 and the hope of an exciting hatch gone.
I tried, unsuccessfully, to get a refund thru BBB. I also filed a claim with my bank.
My experience with Kelsey at Highland Homestead, and this shady "PCGNA" coverup was just awful and really frustrating.
Unfortunately, I've encountered dozens of other folks, families and farmsteads who have been scammed by her. She is a professional con artist.
Its a real bummer and makes it hard to trust online hatching egg vendors---but still, im so thankful for this awesome, fun, hatchin' community!!

Ugh, I’m so sorry! Even your bank was unsuccessful? That’s odd... I’m not sure where you are located, but I was able to successfully get some hatching eggs from Willow Ridge Farm, they are in Washington. Kelly was super friendly and accommodating, and the eggs were shipped quickly through priority mail. Got here in two days.

She doesn’t hold eggs or have an order list, so her stock is first come first served... but she only adds eggs to her website that she is confident she can fill, through her regular fertility tests. I got two of her rainbow half dozens, and got 4 each of Amerucana, Olive egger, and BCM. The eggs are all beautiful and although it’s very hard to tell on the dark shelled ones, they all seem to be progressing in the incubator!

I feel yah, it was so disheartening to have that experience with highland homestead, but Kelly really did a great job restoring my faith in online sellers. I emailed her about my experience, and although she doesn’t secure orders ahead of time, she let me know immediately when she put eggs on her site. It was something like 10:30 at night, but I was up and able to snag them! If you’re still looking for hatching eggs, I’d highly recommend her!

In the photos below, the eggs on the left of the picture are from my current flock, and the dozen on the right are from WRF. They were well packed in the foam in the other pictured, in a box that was wrapped in bubble wrap inside another box.

 

[FrogBellyFarmNH]

Ugh, I’m so sorry! Even your bank was unsuccessful? That’s odd... I’m not sure where you are located, but I was able to successfully get some hatching eggs from Willow Ridge Farm, they are in Washington. Kelly was super friendly and accommodating, and the eggs were shipped quickly through priority mail. Got here in two days.

She doesn’t hold eggs or have an order list, so her stock is first come first served... but she only adds eggs to her website that she is confident she can fill, through her regular fertility tests. I got two of her rainbow half dozens, and got 4 each of Amerucana, Olive egger, and BCM. The eggs are all beautiful and although it’s very hard to tell on the dark shelled ones, they all seem to be progressing in the incubator!

I feel yah, it was so disheartening to have that experience with highland homestead, but Kelly really did a great job restoring my faith in online sellers. I emailed her about my experience, and although she doesn’t secure orders ahead of time, she let me know immediately when she put eggs on her site. It was something like 10:30 at night, but I was up and able to snag them! If you’re still looking for hatching eggs, I’d highly recommend her!

In the photos below, the eggs on the left of the picture are from my current flock, and the dozen on the right are from WRF. They were well packed in the foam in the other pictured, in a box that was wrapped in bubble wrap inside another box.

Hello! The claim with the bank is still being processed, I'm sure they'll be able to help.
I hadn't even considered calling the bank until I came across this thread, so i owe you a huge "Thank You!!".
Such gorgeous eggs, and beautifully packed!! Thank you for the recommendation!! I appreciate it so much, will be checking WRF out.
In a way, I am thankful for that icky experience with HH--- it has introduced me to a handful of neat folks and kind hatcheries all over the states. Happy to support these honest farms and families!
Happy Hatching!! SO exciting!!
Thanks again