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I sell my excess birds at our local poultry auction at Yoder.....that might be a bit far for you tho. I feel lucky if I get $9 per bird when I sell a pullet. I probably could get more for them if I listed them in CL or the paper, but I don't want to have to deal with people.
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From the sounds of the people that I've been talking to this is going to be a big sale.
In the fall we usually have between 600-800 cages of poultry. Most of which will be sold on Saturday through the swap part of the sale. I think last fall we had 900+ cages.
Do you usually get quite a few exotic waterfowl for sale up there? I saw somebody has the Rosey billed pochards, marbled teal, and blue wing.
Kansas Kid: I talked to a guy that was going to be coming and he told me that he was going to bring mandarins, woodducks, ring teal, chiloe widgeons, northern pintail, northern shovelers, fulvous tree ducks, some exotic geese, and swans. Then there are the rosy bill pochards, marble teal, and blue wing teal. Another guy told me red crested pochards and possibly some hooded mergansers. So there should be plenty of waterfowl to choose from. Be there early Saturday because that stuff usually goes fast.
The swap part:
You bring your birds in just as if they were going to sell through the auction. If you want to you can put a price on your birds. If someone wants that cage of birds then they bring them up to me and I write it all down and charge them to their buyers number. From there everything else goes through our office just as if it sold through the sale.
In order to sell with us there are several guidelines that need to be followed. First of all the cage sells with the birds. Whatever is in the cage sells together. As for the cages No 2x4 wire cages, nothing that the bird can put its head through. They need to be able to stand up and move around, not to crowded. They need food and water. They need some sort of bedding, hay or straw is usually the best. This is added hassle for the sellers, but it is better for the birds and thats why Animal Health has these restrictions on us. Birds that need to be PT tested will have to be tested before they are checked in. I have to have a copy of it before I can take them.
As far as prices: Fall prices are cheaper. Most people don't want to winter as many birds so they sell them, more birds and less wanting birds equals lower prices. For chickens this time of year, keep in mind I don't really know what you have and what people buying are going to do so it is really hard to say, I would plan on the big pullets bringing around $8-10 or so and roosters going for $3 or so. Not to scare you away, but there is a $2.50 minimum commision which means cage things up to have less cages and maximize your money back.
If anyone has any questions you can call me or e-mail me at [email protected] and 417-439-1312
I'd rather get less for them and not have people I don't know coming out to the farm.
Oh, I NEVER let Craig's List people come to my home. I hear ya' there; it's just dangerous. I always arrange to meet in a neutral place, like a gas station convenient to my home (and even in BFE, we have a gas station). It is a pain, and you do still have to deal with people,which isn't always fun, but it has worked for me. And I've met a few really nice people. I bought a rooster from a woman a couple of years ago, and we are now good friends--how nuts is that? But I think you always need to be careful.
I'd rather get less for them and not have people I don't know coming out to the farm.
Oh, I NEVER let Craig's List people come to my home. I hear ya' there; it's just dangerous. I always arrange to meet in a neutral place, like a gas station convenient to my home (and even in BFE, we have a gas station). It is a pain, and you do still have to deal with people,which isn't always fun, but it has worked for me. And I've met a few really nice people. I bought a rooster from a woman a couple of years ago, and we are now good friends--how nuts is that? But I think you always need to be careful.
i have met Mikeksfarmer very nice person. He and I are starting off as great buds. I buy eggs from him and will soon be getting some of his stock. He has also given me 18 eggs to try to hatch out. So there are advantages to meeting new people, such as today for me I seen a listing for seven two and a half week old muscovy ducks they wanted seven dollars a piece for them I got them for $15 for all. These fine folks saved my name and number in both their phones for when they get some guinea eggs.
I think I'd rather give them away than to do the Craig's List thing. lol I saw one of my neighbors today in town and I mentioned I thought I'd be thinning my flock and she said if I do she might buy a few. That'd just leave the little roo and maybe 2 other girls to sell. From what I'm hearing here so far I'd do good to get $10 for the pullets and almost zip for the roo. Hmm... Well, that's better than having a crowded hen house and the consequences that'd come with that. I may call my girls 4-H leader and ask if he knows anyone who might be be interested.
I don't believe I'd want to get into the swap and sale thing either, at this point, but sounds like fun to go and have a look see.
The new crew.
I told my self I wasnt gonna buy any more birds, but when the folks that had them called me back i was about a mile away from them at the time so I swung on by to have a look see. They were to cute to pass up. I was told that all seven are hens I am not sure how they could tell.
any how here they are.