Annual breed fads

[mississippifarmboy]

I'm working on a breed that is pretty, worthless and lays no eggs. I'm gonna sell 'em for a bunch of money.

I'm almost there! Our bantam cochins are pretty, too little to eat but not big enough to stuff a pillow with and so far I've got 6 eggs from 8 hens this year... none of them fertile.

Gonna be the next big "thang".

 

[halo]

If nothing else, they'll be rare!

 

[mudhill]

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i visited your pages and you are a manand a family afte my own heart.

you folks are true americans and i enjoyed lookin and reading your pages,God bless you and yours.

Larry

 

[A.T. Hagan]

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You're late to the dance. Silkies have been around for years!

 

[usschicago1]

Well, I am enjoying this thread & people's comments.
First, On Greenfire farms. How can you talk bad about them for doing something they enjoy. IF i had the money I would buy there flower hens, because they interest me. It would cost you a lot more to track down a breeder that is of good quality and is actually willing to go through the headache of exporting there birds. And if I bought them, it would be worth every penny, not because of the eggs, but because I enjoy the breed. They are not a lot if you enjoy chickens for the showing part and for colors, not for the sale of eggs, layer pullets or meat layers. But I certainly don't have the funds to buy a pair at this time.

I think a lot of the breed fads are mostly on BYC. A lot of people here just keep birds for pets. They have never been to a show or had the experience. Now, this isn't a bad thing, but when they see one of these new, exotic birds, they WANT IT. It makes you feel closer to the bird world. What people need to do is find ONE breed that interests them, learn about it, and have breeding flocks of that strain. Breeding towards certain goals (i.e. the standard of perfection, eggs, or meat) can be a lot of fun, and MORE rewarding than getting a new and expensive " new & exotic " fowl from Europe or Africa or China.

I have been around shows and showing for 10+ years and for the most part there are still mostly Cochins and Old English being shown in large part, and an even mix of all our other breeds and classes. The meat industry still uses cornish X and the egg industry still uses leghorns for white eggs and hybrids for brown. Not much has changed.

So yeah, the annual breed fads are great if you have that bird, you can make a lot of money in a short amount of time. But, that's NOT why greenfire farms, or anyone else on the auction sites has these birds. They are interested in Orpingtons, sussex, and other rare colors or breeds and are sharing it with you. If they did it at a low price, they not be able to afford to import. So STOP picking them out and criticizing them for the prices, it really depends on what you enjoy. And if you cannot understand that, would you spend that money on a car? Or the lottery? I would never because they don't interest be, but I would for a breed I was really interested in, like cornish redcaps and javas.

-Mark

 

[lildinkem]

I seen a really ho humm Birchen Marans auction go for $180 for a dozen eggs. I could not believe it. I guess, I am not going to pass up the opportunity to sell some if everyone wants them. And their eggs. IF people want them sell them. And that is all Greenfire is doing. Makes me want to make some other varieties that you do not see cause they do not exist. I have Exchequer Orpy pullet pop up outta no where. Should I make some? Ofcourse IF people like them and want them and you have them let the free market work freely! No one is holding a gun to those who bid and make them pay that rediculous price.

 

[Vanessabuffsnsilkies]

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Well said...

 

[WallTenters]

While I do think that some of the prices and fads are ridiculous, I have no problem with it if people are doing it for love. I just ADORE those little Mille Fleur Cochins - I WANT ONE!!! But I would not be able to afford several thousand dollars (if that was their going price). Even if I did want to buy them at that price, I would hope I wouldn't spend that kind of money with the thought of getting the money back.

I think what bugs people about the fads and folks spending excess amounts is not that they are spending it - but why they are spending it ... thinking they'll make a return on it. Some just don't care what's good for the birds or the breed. For those that have the cash and can devote it to their passion, thank you for that.

I know we've probably put in over a grand in our little flock of Doms between buildings, the birds themselves (always the cheapest part!), etc. I attended a show a couple of months back, a friend was already going so my expense there was next to nothing, but the next show I'll be going by myself and spending around $400 + food, etc. and the show fees. So that $400 is just for the hotel and my gas, if nothing goes wrong. If I attend shows in the midwest that will be several hundred dollars in gas plus hotel fees, etc. I hope some day I can do it, both physically and financially. Right now I have severe back, neck and hip pain from a car accident last summer so I doubt I would be in any mood to talk chickens after a drive like that, so I'm staying closer to home!

I guess my point is, in one way or another, we're all spending a lot of money and time invested into our birds in one way or another. I do think it's fun to watch the fads come and go, but at least hopefully folks find joy in their birds even if they aren't this year's hot ticket item.

 

[olds cool]

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Excellent, down to earth, common sense thinking here.

To bad it's become so unpopular.

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

I found someone tonight on a local website trying to sell his/her version of "buff sussex" for 20.00 each. I may be wrong, but I believe that it takes more than they did to create one: their ad says they crossed purebred sussex hens with a purebred BO rooster...

If I am right and they are trying to sell crossed up chicks for 20.00 each, I will laugh loudly at anyone who buys them. If I'm wrong:

(That's not how one would create a genuine buff sussex, right? I mean, you can't just mix two breeds and call it a new breed, right? Right?!)