Hatch & Hive: what you need to know
Hatch & Hive is a UK poultry marketplace that sells far more than hatching eggs. Here's how it works for buyers and sellers, what it doesn't tell you, and how it compares with the alternatives.
What is Hatch & Hive?
Hatch & Hive describes itself as "a dedicated marketplace built by breeders, for breeders". As well as hatching eggs it lists live poultry, chicks and ducklings, coops and housing, poultry equipment, and beekeeping supplies and bees. Sellers connect a Stripe account to take card payments, and PayPal isn't available.
Buying on Hatch & Hive
You pay by card through Stripe. Each vendor sets their own delivery or collection arrangements, which the vendor terms require them to describe accurately.
If something goes wrong, the terms say Hatch & Hive "acts solely as a marketplace and is not a party to transactions between buyers and vendors", and that vendors are responsible for "handling refunds where required by law". Like every marketplace, it doesn't guarantee "fertility rates of hatching eggs".
Selling on Hatch & Hive
Hatch & Hive doesn't publish its fees. Its vendor terms say it "may charge commission, subscription fees, or other marketplace fees as published from time to time", and that it may ask sellers for identification. Anyone selling live animals must make sure they are "kept and transported in accordance with UK legislation".
The good and the not so good
For buyers
Good
- One place for eggs, birds, housing and equipment.
- Card checkout through Stripe.
Watch out for
- Refunds are down to each vendor, and there's no published process for disputes.
- No PayPal.
- Postage terms vary from seller to seller.
For sellers
Good
- Sell birds, chicks and equipment as well as eggs.
- Payments through Stripe.
Watch out for
- No published fees, so you can't work out your costs before you start.
- You handle refunds yourself.
Hatch & Hive or Broody?
| What's for sale | Checkout | If something goes wrong | Seller fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatch & Hive | Hatching eggs, live poultry, chicks, coops, bees and equipment | Card through Stripe | Each vendor handles refunds | Not published |
| Broody | Hatching egg specialists | Card/Apple/Google Pay/Klarna secure checkout through Stripe; the price shown includes postage | Report within 14 days; payment held until dispatch; Broody steps in if you can't agree | 15%, falling to 10% then 5% as you sell more; no listing or monthly fees |
Our verdict
If you want birds, housing or beekeeping kit as well as eggs, Hatch & Hive covers more ground than a hatching-egg-only marketplace. If hatching eggs are what you're after, and you want to know exactly what happens when a box arrives broken, Broody's published refund process and postage-inclusive prices make it the safer choice. For every other option, see where to buy hatching eggs in the UK.
Questions people ask
Does Hatch & Hive charge selling fees?
Its fees are not published on its website. Its vendor terms say it may charge commission, subscription fees or other marketplace fees as published from time to time.
Can you buy live chickens on Hatch & Hive?
Yes. As well as hatching eggs it lists live poultry, chicks and ducklings, coops, equipment and beekeeping supplies.
Does Hatch & Hive take PayPal?
Not at the moment. Payment is by card through Stripe.
More guides
Sources
Checked on 1 October 2026: Hatch & Hive, Hatch & Hive vendor terms, Broody seller agreement, Broody returns and refunds.
Spotted something out of date? Email hello@broodyeggs.co.uk.