Ohio National...

Has anyone been there? What did you think. I know it's a while away, but I'm thinking of planning a road trip there when it comes around to the time again..

i went, it was really big, the sale area is big, and if you get there early you can get some good birds. There are a lot of calls for sale, you can get some deals. We got there early enough we just walked in, we left and came back, and wanted to look at merchants they tried to charge us, but we just went to the other door and walked in like we owned the place. I wasnt paying 5 or whatever it was to vist the display booths! take a cage and a few bucks, firststate vet is there talk to the Chicken Doctor! Very helpful, its also a chance to get chicken supplies with no shipping costs, keeper cooping is there too, no shipping cost if your order ahead of time! Go its fun! Take shower when you leave, i had a few mites on me from all those birds! that was the only bad thing.

I have been there and it is a great place to buy birds. Lots to look at and more for sale birds just keep coming throughout the day on Saturday. It is nerve-wracking to go there and not have a commitment from somebody to bring you birds but I will go back. The sales rows were long and full. I think there was four rows back to back and stacked two high that ran the width of the building. Then two more against the outside wall. Not much was there on Friday in my and my sister's opinion. There is a hotel very close to the building but it is kind of rough looking in the area when you drive around the block so to speak.

Money-you have to pay to go through the gate to see the birds every time or buy a pass. At the door I paid too. I bought a weekend pass at the gate for $7 then $5 at the door which was worth it. I work a small show 1800 birds and money is tight. You go through the gate on the east and then drive west almost clear across and a little north to the show barn. Paying the 7 and 5 bucks is nothing compared to the prices on the concession stand. Which is set up by the owners I bet not the Ohio National.

Lots of great people in my opinion. Great show.:yiipchick

When and where is it?

It is (I think) the second weekend in November in Columbus OH. I went there for the first time last year. It was really cool. There were thousands of nice birds there Definately worth checking out

http://www.ohionational.org/

This year’s OHIO NATONAL Poultry show will be held November 14th and 15th at the Ohio Expositions Center (State fairgrounds) in Columbus, Ohio.

We will be hosting the following national meets-

Plymouth Rock Fanciers of America
http://www.crohio.com/rockclub/

American Dutch Bantam Society
http://www.crohio.com/rockclub/

Japanese Bantam Breeders Association http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbba/JBBA.html

Wyandotte Breeders of America http://wyandottebreedersofamerica.com/wbaindex.html

Ameracana Breeders Club
http://www.ameraucana.org/index.html

United Orpington Club
http://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com/

Once again The OHIO NATIONAL is predicted to be the largest poultry show in America. A central location and as good a time of the year as could be asked for are two elements that make this a premier event.

Last year’s 5,300 birds entered exceeded the combined entry of the APA National Meet in California and the ABA National Meet in Florida combined.

Planning on going to this years OHIO NATIONAL? Here are a couple of things you need to do-

Right Now! Get young birds hatched and off to a good start. It is just over nine months until The OHIO NATIONAL. The judges expect to see well developed young birds at a November show.

Soon – Make hotel reservations. There is a lot going on in Columbus, Ohio. Sometimes hotel rooms are at a premium. The OHIO NAIONAL host hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn at Polaris about six Interstate miles north of the show hall. This is a very nice hotel in a designed neighborhood that features shopping and dining out for everyone. We are pleased that the hotel has offered us the entire facility at last year’s rate. They like our group and have been more accommodating every additional year we have stayed there. Be sure to mention that you are attending the poultry show to get the special rate. It saves about $30 per room off the regular rates.

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=CMHCPGI

Tel: +1-614-846-8884


Responses to some of the things that came up in this thread-

There is a $5 per person entry fee to the show hall. This is not charged to exhibitors and the other persons that came with them; family, friends, whatever. All you have to do is ask for badges when you check in at the show official’s desk when you arrive. Nor is it charged to anyone under the age of eighteen. A pretty liberal policy. Remember that the average exhibitor at the OHIO NATIONAL pays about $45.00 in entry fees to get to enjoy the show. The admission fee is just a convenient way for everyone else to help support the event.

The hotels right next to the fairgrounds are not as nice as the host hotel a few easy miles north.

The food available in the show hall and on the fairgrounds is provided by a concessionaire that the show has nothing to do with. Boy IF we did! But sorry there is nothing we can do about it.

There is a parking fee for the fairgrounds. A daily or weekend ticket is available. Ask about them both when you arrive.

Anyway you look at it – for poultry people a visit to The OHIO NATIONAL is a better buy than going to a movie!

Buying birds- The OHIO NATIONAL is known across the country as the best place to buy and sell exhibition poultry. Ask anyone!


Best and Reserve Best of Breed Sebastapol Geese exhibited at the 2008 OHIO NATIONAL

Quote:
Thank you for all that great information! On what day are birds usually available for sale?

I have not went but, my friend goes. She loves it!!! She has found some really great deals there! The one year she found BLRW started chicks for $5 a piece!!!! And she got a white java! Anyways, I wanted to go but it was on my DD birthday and we had a party. This year I am thinking we will plan to have her birthday party that Friday so we can go down on Saturday!

I got hatching eggs from there and they were from a BYCer (Ms Lewis Rich) they hatched out beautifully!!! And I have the shells from the marans contest! OMGoodness......they are so dark!!! They really look like chocolate!!! My friend was in one of the egg shows and she asked for the empty shells. Oh they are so dark! And she got me a marans egg chart! And I think that is all! LOL