- Thread starter
- #21
Kelly4
In the Brooder
It's true!
There are people like myself... who are simply hobbyist with a passion... and a lot of time. IF you know the right questions to ask and read between the lines.Lot's of poor quality birds and people lying about their breed or purity. I paid $20 each for straight run barnyard mix ONCE. And even drove 45 minutes each way in my gas guzzling Suburban. Talked to another person who had NO vagueness whatsoever, paid maybe $7 each for the REAL deal and drove 3 hours each way... but worth it! Also from CL.
My stock are all pure breeds gathered from separate breeders for genetic diversity in starting parent stock, selected for quality AND culled for faults. I don't currently have NPIP and not sure I want to since I'm not interested in shipping or trying to earn a living. I ONLY advertise on Craigslist within about a 3 hour radius. My word is important to me and my chicken knowledge is extensive enough to help in most situations. I am familiar with my breeds and work to get people quality stock according to their needs. But they KNOW that way before they arrive because I'm an over thinking, disclose too much, can't stand liars, wanna hep people out type person and I'm sure that comes across loud and clear.All my Marans lay good colored eggs (4-5) and about the same production. But some don't have quite enough copper. If I know someone is trying to breed I will try to get them the best chicks/juveniles or adults that I can. Some people only care about eggs. The blacker birds are perfect for them. And others care deeply about friendliness so I can help select the ones I can tell are calmer and more people oriented. I sell off my older birds while they are still laying well and with many good season left... and it's a real joy to share a wonderful hen with a younger kid who is experiencing this the first time. Or if they are more flighty some folk are gonna toss em out and never handle them anyways.
I know of a few other locals with good birds of other breeds also. One who uses CL on occasion. The other drops hers at the feed store about twice per year. But I get double what the feed store offers so unless I run out of orders... I won't be using them. But if it's hatchery birds your after, my LFS has also carried Polish and deal with shipping loss instead of me. They usually kn ow what they have coming in and when WAY ahead of time. So they might be able to tell you. Also, some will add the breed you request to their regular order.
My experience also says... it won't just happen over night, You have to be patient. Usually about a few weeks If it's right, it will happen and you will KNOW it.
I'll keep looking on CL but there is nothing right now.
