Breeders/Sellers, Why Are You Stopping?

[pips&peeps]

How about the, "where's my chicks? I know I mailed my payment 20 days ago."

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
OMG! You live my life!

I am backing off from selling because there are too many folks that haven't a clue how to raise them or keep them and then wonder why they got sick or died or got killed. They go through countless birds, before and after buying from you. They prefer to blame you when they haven't a clue to start with.
Try to educate and hear yeah, yeah. They know it all but like to blame the seller/breeder when they can't get good results.

 

[onthespot]

And THAT, is why I have even quit selling chicks. I am raising up everything, hundreds of babies, culling almost all the roosters and even some of the pullets. Culling like dead, not selling. Every now and then I run a bunch of ads at the same time on any free medium I can, like chictrader.com, hoobly.com, pennyseaverusa.com, ebayclassifieds.com, recycler.com, horsetrader.com, any of the others I can't think of right now. I prefer to deal with the hassles of selling all in a week's time, and then maybe three weeks later or a month, or six weeks, do it agian. That way I get some peace and quiet in between, and get to grow out more birds. I have had good luck getting $30-50 for POL pullets, and the very few roosters I keep that way. People don't kill off their birds from neglect, the blend a TON easier into existing flocks, they are way easier to sell when people know what they will look like, if they are not really that knowledgeable about breeds. Personalities are pretty obvious, and people are able to buy birds that suit their aesthetics, budget, temerperament and existing flocks. So, not only am I not selling eggs, mainly, I am also not selling chicks or young juveniles. Not because I am a snob, but to avoid all the carnage and wasted time and money for everyone. And I can be sure I am selling only quality stock.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

These are actual emails I in the last two days and this morning (same person):

Greetings,

I am interested in the Golden Laced Cochin eggs that you are selling on your website, and I was wondering if they are still currently available. If at all possible I would really like to have some by next week. I currently live in the Seattle area. I'll be waiting for your reply. Thanks!

I replied to this person and told them yes--if they are marked on my website as available, they are in fact available.

The response I got this morning:

Yes I was going to order them through the website but what day exactly will they be shipped out if I order them today, or maybe tomorrow??

And I also have another question about the chickens:- Are they purely golden Cochin or could there possibly be some kind mix in them??

Here is response:

I can't say exactly what day they will be shipped. It will depend on how many other people order in front of you--right now there are two orders (and an auction) in front of you. They are all purebred Golden Laced Cochins. I do not have any mixes of any kind. I show my birds.

Thanks.

 

[HenThymes]

WOW onthespot, I absolutely love both of your posts!! I felt like you have been at my house watching daily happenings.

We have started taking extra's to a local sale instead of offering them up for sale cheap or free local. They go in unmarked boxes and only bring a few dollars (pays DH's gas to the sale and a coke) but we then don't deal with the public wanting to know "where were located", 'what else you got", "what breed is this". It was listed for free on CL and you want me to talk genetics with you!!!!

*we bring nothing home from the sale, DH sprays clorox anywhere on his shoes before even coming in the garage and clothes get left in the laundry room*

I think those who do not hatch/sell/improve/show have no idea what it takes to provide those "wanting" with them. They seem to think they should be able to or be entitled to buy a Roles Royce at the price of a Kia.

 

[al6517]

Wow !!!!! I stumbled upon this thread and was amazed to read so many good points on both sides, Some great oppinions some ....... not so much. What I can say are my own reasons for doing certain thing's many of which have been covered. I breed Standard Cornish in 3 color varieties one of which is the Rare White standard Cornish. My main problem is just by virtue of the name people think it's just a common meat bird, yes!!! it has been the main ingrediant in breeding the grandfather stock of the Cornish X, but I am breeding the pure stock. The confusion people have is frustrating when they can't disern the difference. WTS I don't sell hatching eggs or chicks just started and adult birds.

As far as who I sell to that is a big sticking point in my book, My birds are SQ and serious breeder quality, I don't sell culls ever. I don't want inferior stock out there with my name attatched to it as the breeder, so if folks say hey !! that guy has great birds and then all they see are culls for sale then that defeats the purpose. I don't like to sell birds to folks who are not serious about the breed, or I know at some point they may become dissinterested in the breed and move on. But hey what can you do seriously, I do some prescreening but I am not super picky about it, I do want the person to appreciate the breed for the right reasons, but cannot seriously expect all of them to want to preserve the breed to good standards, you will always have some knuckleheads and no breeder likes to send his birds off only to see them gone in a few months.

$$ Money $$ is another issue and many of you have made some good points. If someone has the cash to buy quality birds great !!! if not.......... don't scoff at the price because you can't afford to buy quality. If people do the homework they will know you are respected in that breed circle and know what your birds are worth and how hard they are to get, so hey !!! fess up or quit bothering me LOL.

Another issue I have as do many here is the whole evil Hatchery topic. I despise them with a passion because they carry junk, and I take offense when contacted by people comparing their stock to breeders stock, black & white/ Night & day difference. Enough said about that but I refuse to stop slamming their shady breeders who think they sit at the right hand for breeding and selling junk in mass quanities.

More to come when I get more time, but I have enjoyed reading this thread and hope to see more points of view.

AL

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I've been selling hatching eggs the past 3 years along with birds/chicks locally and just started shipping birds this past fall. Luckly, I haven't dealt with any idiots. Everybody has been wonderful. Hopefully it stays that way. When I offer birds, I put my price, if you don't like it then don't bother contacting me. It's not a cheap hobby. Anything I sell, that money goes right back to the birds for feed/bedding/etc.

I've only had one idiot email me about 2 months ago. Asked about my hatching eggs, then proceeded to tell me that I should stop using shredded paper and just use bubblewrap when I ship my eggs. Keep in mind this person has never purchased anything from me and was the first time speaking with them.

So I sent this back
" The eggs are placed in the middle of the shipping box and lots of shredded paper is used to cushion the eggs. I have been shipping eggs this way for 3 years and haven't had any problems, or complaints from customers. The eggs are bubblewrapped with a couple of layers of bubblewrap, not just one wrap around the eggs. "
Then I get this back
" Hi:
OOOOOPPS!! Sorry if I offended you. I just thought that I would pass along some good information. I have email many egg shippers; and, none of them were as offended as you seem to be. All the others that I emailed said thanks for the information. I guess that some people just don't like CHANGE from their old ways of doing things. Again, I apologize for being offensive. I know better now!"

You expect me to change the way ive been shipping eggs for years just because you told me I should.

Are you kidding me??

 

[onthespot]

Quote:
Well, I sorta switch the equation around now... if you want to buy from me you'd better have the thickest skin in the world. LOL

 

[Sparklee]

Have loved reading this thread.

The title should maybe be: Breeders/Sellers, Why Are You Stopping? (And Why Everyone Else Should Think Twice About Ever Starting).

 

[tazcat70]

henthymesThey seem to think they should be able to or be entitled to buy a Roles Royce at the price of a Kia.

Awwww come on! You know you want to.

I listed part English Orps on craigslist. I explained that these were my 1st culls and she was really interested in the Orps so I told her I would contact her if I had any more. I did, and at that time I told her I would not have any more for a while. She then asked about hatching eggs and chicks. I told her sure in the Spring. In March my flock was attacked and I lost all my Orps, I contacted her and told her about it and all she had to say was when you get some more let me know. Sure I will. NOT!​