advice for buying breeding stock at shows

[cracked_egg]

Lotsapaints you sound like me. I have 30 stalls, but only use about 20, so the third barn with the extra 10 has become "chicken barn" and roosts/nest boxes have been made with no extra expense, it was all wood I had around the farm. I was just curious. I don't intend to do chickens as a "business" or to make money, but I make my living from horse training, lessons and sales, so every year I have to look at what I spend... Urgh, lol.

Thankfully my degree is in animal science and I do my own inseminations, foaling, etc.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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I assume you are talking to me. Which idea? that she is in the egg selling business or that quality breeders rarely sell eggs or chicks?

I guess I should describe what I mean by a "Quality Breeder". Since we are discussing Exhibition Poultry and assuming you are wanting to by birds that will produce winners.

I would describe a Quality Breeder as someone who consistently wins at a good size show, in fast company, and the show is sanctioned by the ABA and APA. Someone who has been breeding for a number of years and that is always in contention for Champion. Someone who has paid their dues and learned from the old masters. More often than not this person is a Master Breeder of the APA or ABA, but I do know some Master Breeders who are just great conditioners and exhibitors and not that great of breeders.

If it makes someone feel better about themselves to call me "Rude and Ignorant" so be it. But I have been neither.

Bob

This is absolutely true in my experience. I can't think of anyone who meets this definition that sell eggs or chicks.

I know you consider Hattrick to be good quality breeders, or at least you have stated so in the past. They sell hatching eggs.

 

[joe17]

So does Bobbi Porto. She is great and I THINK she is a master breeder or pretty close. I think she sells eggs and chicks so that everyone can have silkies and that the hobby will become popular. She doesnt mind selling things that may end up champion because its not really about winning to her. She is super nice!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

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That is true, but it also does not disqualify him/her.

 

[redhen]

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Thats whats its about, IMO...
Not just a ribbon...

 

[joe17]

I think that most of the wise, more older, experienced breeders do sell eggs and chicks just to share the happiness of showing to others. Almost all silkie breeders (or the ones of of the ASBC forum) are super nice and will help out any newbies like myself

 

[BamaChicken]

I bought RIR eggs from a Master Breeder at a show in the month of Jan. Was very happy with them too.

 

[cracked_egg]

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I think for 90% of those that show it is NOT about the ribbon, at least in horses and dogs... It is about proving your breeding stock, having goals for riders to work towards on their presentation and abilities, it is about getting a championship on a dog so the dam can get an ROM.

Sometimes people look down on those that show like it is just fluff. It takes super think skin, LOTS of effort, hardship, stress, money, etc... But I do it to see where I fall in the mix of my breed. So I can learn as a breeder what we are breeding for... Sure I can see it just watching, but as my breed gets better and better, it is the tiny details added up that are making or breaking a horse... And there are a lot of ups and downs to showing emotionally. The people who put themselves through that for the sake of education, networking and love of the breed generally do have a better understanding of the breed and what we're looking for.

So a breeder who goes through all this extra work and *schooling* doesn't deserve to be seen as more educated, serious and higher quality? I think they do.

On the hatching eggs... He did say Rare occasions... I'm sure some breeders think oh well, but I can see where most would want to keep the eggs for themselves. But like horses, it might be a "who you know" kinda thing... If you have a great mare and good connections, you can get her bred cheaper than if you are joe blow... I have quite a few stallion owners who have offered me free breedings or discounts because they like my mres and know they will hit the show ring if they're any good...

 

[muddyhorse]

Personally I show to LEARN. In order to find out what I need to improve on I need someone to look at the birds. yes I both buy and sell hatching eggs. I also buy adult and started birds. Go to the show and have fun. don't feel pressured to buy just because you are there. I'm sure you have heard many stories of people buying horses that were not right for them because "Hey we drove here and are coming home with something."

 

[GracefulBantams]

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I have to agree with this!
Once at a show, I was interested in some birds of a certain breed that I had always been fond of. But, I left without buying a single one because of the seller! He was the rudest person I have ever met at a poultry show - practically telling me I would be crazy not to buy his birds, and saying how much better his birds were than a certain other person's (who I knew to be a Master Breeder in this breed), and how if that other person "gave" him a bird, he wouldn't dare put it in with his birds!