NC State Fair - Buying Chickens - several questions

[dctoms]

Newbie here:

I'm ready to buy my first birds and thought since the fair is starting this weekend, I could pick them up there. There have been several discussions in other threads about abused birds at fairs. How is NC's, should I buy somewhere else?

Also, how are they sold? Do you just show up and say 'sell me birds?' Do you need to bring a crate or do they give you a box? Are they all chicks, or can you get started birds? Do you haggle price?

Will most breeds be available? I've had several recommendations orphingtons, so I'm looking for them. If there are other recommendations for docile egg layers, I'd like to hear them.

Thanks!

 

[Southern28Chick]

The chicks at the fair are pitiful. I've never gotten any there, I don't even know if you can buy them. They have them out on this horseshoe shaped table that they can easily fall off of, at one time there can be 30 kids grabbing them and even breaking their lil necks. They usually have 1 guy behind the table and he doesn't care that the kids are squeezing them and yes sometimes they accidently kill them. It makes me sick. No heat lamps either. Poor babies are scared and cold and screaming their lil heads off.


Edited:
They're probably all mixed breeds, the guy won't be able to sex them and if they survive the abuse from the kids, they'll probably die anyway.

I ordered my chicks from Ideal. I had a great experience with them.

 

[aran]

i dont know about the fair chicks but Southern is right, Ideal have been fantastic to deal with...i have order number 3 coming in from them in a little over 1 week.

 

[joshchickens]

Yeah i wouldnt buy from the fair. they are so cruel to the chicks our fair most of the cages didnt even have water or food for days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! poor chicks

 

[silkiechicken]

Now there are exceptions to the bad fair thing. If you want to look for birds for sale at our fair here, which does well with the water and food and care thing, you have to go to the back info booth and put your name and contact into a book in the "wanted" folder for other who are selling to contact you. There is also a "for sale" book in the info booth at our fair too.

 

[Southern28Chick]

I've been to the NC fair a million times since I was a child. You don't want the chicks at our fair.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

The fairs I've been to around here always have some adults birds for sale. Never seen chicks for sale, though. They always have the big hatcher hatching out chicks, but they aren't for sale as far as I know, just a display for showing how chicks hatch.

Other then some birds not fitting the breed standard, nothing bad I could really say. By the looks, they were mostly well cared for, of course there is always the odd bird that is missing tail or back feathers. I guess it depends on your location and the fair.

Just ask lots of questions, you may find a good breeder. Or if you see a bird that you really likes the looks of, someone here might breed them.

Ideal is a great place to get chicks from. I bought from them this year and am a satisfied customer.

 

[poppycat]

I live a zillion miles from NC, so I'm in no position to comment on the state of the fair but if you want chicks, get them from a reputable hatchery or breeder. Especially if you have no previous experience with chickens. When you get your (hopefully) healthy chicks that are the breed you wanted, you won't be sorry.

 

[snugglepup]

The baby chicks at the petting table are usually extra broiler chicks from the Poultry Science lab. They are culled afterwards. As far as I know the chicks are not allowed to leave after being there because of biosecurity issues.

They don't get culled just because they were at the fair. They would have been culled anyway. That is the reality of our food industry.

I believe that many of the adult birds which are shown in the poultry show portion of the livestock exhibit are available for sale after the judging. Usually there is a person sitting around who is in charge (like they have a clipboard), so I would ask them if you are interested in any of the birds you see.

BUT... if you are looking for chicks or adults you should join the NC Poultry yahoo list! There is always someone with something for sale on there. In fact, I think somebody posted recently about having a bunch of buff orps hatching soon that would be available.

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
Poor babies.