Hey.... Lets keep Chickens..!

Frugaldom

Gigervamp wrote: »

Anyone have any experience of poultry auctions? In my search for breeders in my area, I saw that there's an auction on nearby on Sunday.
I've never been to an auction of any kind, let alone a poultry one, so I was wondering if anyone here has bought chickens at auction and could give me some advice.

Very exciting, very expensive, very unreliable if you don't know the breeders' reputation and mostly a case of getting there early enough to get a good, close look at what's for sale. Take a note book, pen and mobile so you can take notes and do some quick research helped by a friend sat at home online if needs must. :rotfl: I love the auctions, especially rare breeds, as that's when you see hens making funny prices. £150 for a trio of lavender Araucanas, anyone? :eek:

Nowadays, most auctions require you to register as a buyer and collect a number before the sale starts. I far prefer this as it means I can't be tempted to bid on anything I had no plans for before getting there. If you are going in the hope of getting some bargains, I'd register as a potential buyer so you're ready to bid when the opportunity presents itself. Just don't get into a frenzied bidding war, the regulars can be good at spotting newcomers to the auction game and I've seen how easily the novelty and adrenalin rush of bidding can carry off people's better senses.

Gigervamp

Thanks. I don't know if I'll actually be going as hubby likes his lay-in on Sunday mornings and it starts at 10.30 and he's the driver! But it's good to know the do's and don'ts just in-case!

Lavender Araucana's are on my wanted list and hubby said we've got to get a couple of silkies cos they look mad! :rotfl:

Only problem is I'm having trouble finding breeders of the Araucana's near me.

Frugaldom

Gigervamp wrote: »

Lavender Araucana's are on my wanted list and hubby said we've got to get a couple of silkies cos they look mad! :rotfl:

Silkies don't just look mad, they ARE mad - or at least mine are! :rotfl: Imagine the flintstones' pet dinosaur in miniature running around in fluffy pantaloons then you're half way there! The one in my avatar doesn't seem to know how to walk, she has to dash about following you and 'helping' with absolutely everything. She doesn't seem to know that Silkies aren't meant to like mud or scratching up the garden! :rotfl:Here's a piccie of Silks and Dumbledorf 'helping' dig the veggie garden! :rotfl:

Gigervamp

Awww!

Last year sometime, we went to the local garden centre and they had chickens wandering around. There were some ex-bats and a couple of silkies. By this time, hubby was starting to think that getting chickens might be ok, but was still finding reasons not to. Anyway, when he saw the silkies, he said "If I agree to you getting chickens, you have GOT to get some of those. They're MAD!" :rotfl:

They do sound like fun though.

help_me_please_3

Hi, ive just ordered some light sussex hatching eggs so will see how that goes. going to make my own incubator. Now i was wondering if anyone here has advise on quails please? im interested in what are the best (easiest) to keep for eggs? also what are they like to keep compared to chickens? all advise welcome. Thanks..

Frugaldom

I have quail and used to breed 100s of them for commercial purposes - mainly eggs and the pet trade, as they get kept in the bottom of aviaries to pick up fallen seed etc. I always stuck with the Japanese Coturnix or similar, Chinese are no good for eggs. Your basic, brown quail is best, although you now get them in all colours. You cannot freerange them like chickens because they'll fly away. You'll need them penned so you know where they lay their eggs, as the commercial strains seem to have lost all concerns for rearing young, so they'll lay eggs anywhere and seldom ever go near them after that. I'd recommend keeping just a few per aviary and make sure the top isn't liable to break their necks when they crash into it during vertical take offs.

Google the subject or get a couple of books from the library - research, research, research, that's my best suggestion. Good luck.

jexygirl

Fruuuuuuuuugaaaaaaaalll!!! I neeeeeeeeeeeed some of those!!!!! Breed me some pretty please! I'll pay!

After your last post, I watched the relocation program, and I am in Argyll lol, but too close to the road for that eejit guy! Wish the prices were still right the cottage on the beach was amazing!

Soooo when can I come get my silkies from ya ?

ginnyknit

Had a thought - maybe we should rename this thread 'you don't have to be mad to keep chickens but...' Just noticed we all seem a little fanatical and my hens ain't arrived yet! I have hardly slept for thinking about them, but no I don't get out much haha. Its great to hear all the advice and have a laugh.

Gigervamp

My coop arrived today and hubby and I have just finished building it. I got this one from ebay. It cost me £10 less because they had it in an auction and I got it for the starting price.
I also ordered the small run to go with it. Still need to put that together though.

Now, I just need to get some chickens!

jexygirl

Ginny! I agree!

Giger - give pics! It looks soooooo posh! Does it look like that in real life? were there many bits left over??? :D:D

I have named another of my girls today, I was convinced of names before they got here, but the ones I thought of didnt seem to fit - and the ones I have now, just evolved! So... our top hen is now... ofc... Maggie! If I say that she is totally in charge, doesnt take any crap, bosses the others around, and is totally set on doing things her way... do you see who she might be named after lol?
5 down, 9 to go! It would be so much easier if they stopped changing / growing feathers as that was how I told them apart, now I am having to do comb and beaks before I recognise them!
Had to do some more gentle bum washing today, as the new feathers are irritating some of them and they are pecking at them, and making them bleed
And just when they are getting a whole set of shiny new feathers, some have decided to moult... so their backs and bums look alot better, but their wings are such a mess lol!


Jex