Arizona Chickens

[mom-to-5]

Did anyone check out the birds at the State fair? We went today and had to take a look at the birds, some were beautiful but I was surprised at the quality of some. One rooster had so many mites you could see them crawling all over the poor things face.
I was very turned off and was shocked that people were buying these chickens.
Is this typical for the state fair or just a rare exception?
I don't think I would ever take my birds there.

 

[Sill]

Did anyone check out the birds at the State fair? We went today and had to take a look at the birds, some were beautiful but I was surprised at the quality of some. One rooster had so many mites you could see them crawling all over the poor things face.
I was very turned off and was shocked that people were buying these chickens.
Is this typical for the state fair or just a rare exception?
I don't think I would ever take my birds there.

I wonder if the owners are just ignorant that their birds have the mites? Hard to believe. People buy these birds?

 

[aviddamy]

Since I'm so new to chickens, I've been learning about diseases and pests, etc. I can't imagine someone who raises them not paying attention to things like that. I feel sorry for their chickens!

 

[kpgoldstar]

Hey All,

I went to the Pet Club on Val Vista and Williams Field Rd to get dog food....ONLY DOG FOOD! I knew they would have baby chicks so I avoided them as much as possible. I got the dog food and the employee's must have seen me glance at the chicks and they asked me if I wanted any. I asked them, "How much?"...."$2.99". Then the guy says, "Actually, we have two in there that are about three weeks old we'll just give you." DANG IT!

I have two new RIR three week old chicks.

I was in Casa Grande over the weekend and went into Cal-Ranch. I looked at the chicks, really looked. Thank goodness the BR brooder was empty. Wasn't interested in the other breeds! I came home with a jerky maker thingy for the hubby!

 

[kpgoldstar]

Aren't most birds shown at the Fair 4-H or FFA projects? Are they true to breed or did it appear these were all meat birds? I've never been to the fair here but I raised chickens as a child and we showed them at our county fair.

I would have said something. That is just horrible about the mites! Poor Rooster!! Don't the people in charge notice things like that? Won't he infect the rest of the chickens?

 

[mom-to-5]

I wonder if the owners are just ignorant that their birds have the mites? Hard to believe. People buy these birds?

My thoughts exactly! I know that most 4-H-er's show at County Fairs and not State. I'm not sure where the animals come from. A few were good looking birds, but seeing that one covered in mites was enough to tell me these birds aren't being inspected upon arrival and I would never take my birds there. Many were mislabeled. Even my kids noticed the misspelling on silkie as "silky". My 11-year-old son commented that even our hatchery birds were a better breed representation than most of the birds there and at least our chicken were healthy.
I know some on this forum show their birds but I'm assuming the fair is not the place to do that. Since I have yet to attend a poultry show I was looking forward to seeing the different birds at the fair.....very disappointed! Still a fun day though!

 

[mom-to-5]

Aren't most birds shown at the Fair 4-H or FFA projects? Are they true to breed or did it appear these were all meat birds? I've never been to the fair here but I raised chickens as a child and we showed them at our county fair.

I would have said something. That is just horrible about the mites! Poor Rooster!! Don't the people in charge notice things like that? Won't he infect the rest of the chickens?

We did say something to one of the workers who just kinda shrugged his shoulders and let me know he was just a worker and these were not his chickens

My response probably would have been a little harsher had I not had my kids with me. Poor rooster! I came home and checked my birds tonight. I check them regularly anyway but felt reminded of how important it was today.

 

[cyborg]

Well, come to our TPPFFC show on Nov. 22nd and 23rd at the Pima County fairgrounds. You'll probably see a lot of difference, both in quality and health. I promise my birds might not be show winners, but at least they will be healthy and won't have any bugs!

 

[Billiam]

I would bet the rooster didn't come to the fair with mites. The birds are so close and they are there for about a month I think so I'm not surprised if some of the get it while they are there. After the judging maybe the owners just don't keep them as clean as they did for the judging?

 

[ChuskaMtns]

My thoughts exactly!  I know that most 4-H-er's show at County Fairs and not State.  I'm not sure where the animals come from.  A few were good looking birds, but seeing that one covered in mites was enough to tell me these birds aren't being inspected upon arrival and I would never take my birds there.  Many were mislabeled.  Even my kids noticed the misspelling on silkie as "silky".  My 11-year-old son commented that even our hatchery birds were a better breed representation than most of the birds there and at least our chicken were healthy.
I know some on this forum show their birds but I'm assuming the fair is not the place to do that.  Since I have yet to attend a poultry show I was looking forward to seeing the different birds at the fair.....very disappointed!  Still a fun day though!

I went to the state fair shortly after it started & there were very nice birds there. I know the Padillas & my friend took all their birds home on Sunday. Pam was showing some beautiful Mottled AMs & quite a few other gorgeous birds I was coveting. Patty had her Golden Cuckoo Marans & her Wheaten AMs there. I think what's there now is the 4H kids poultry.