Need basic info for how to show

[bhadrika]

At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, what are the steps one has to take to enter a bird (or several) in a show, or bring them to an auction? I have chicks with a Pulorum certificate from the hatchery, but understand that they will also need to be blood tested. How much does such testing cost? How do I find a tester in MA?

I work at a camp where we have raised a flock of 17 chicks, 16 different fancy/rare breeds, and this fall I need to find homes for them. I'd love to take them to an auction or Topsfield Fair (and/or another in MA, though I missed the deadline for Marshfield), but wonder whether the expense of entering would make it not worth it. Be a shame to just, you know... especially for some of the really pretty ones.

Anyone have time to offer a basic primer?

 

[tiffanyh]

I am in CT and I am currently looking for hens......how far are you from Springfield? I would avoid auctions if you can. Post on craigslist....

 

[bhadrika]

I'm currently in NH at camp, but the chickens (soon followed by myself with kids & rabbits) will be in Mansfield, MA (between Boston and Providence).

One problem is I'm not sure of the gender of many of the chicks yet, and after we keep a few hens and give a few to our aunt, many of the remaining birds will be roos. I'm not averse to sizing them up for meat, but some are breeds which could be special to someone, and I'm just trying to find the best way to reach, say, someone who thinks a bantam white frizzle cochin roo is a precious creature rather than a ridiculously pointless bird. (And he is almost painfully cute, but expect that to fade when the puberty fairy strikes.)

But I will post what we have here, and on Craigslist, unless we find out going to auction is worth the hassle ("worth it" in fun more than income -- money's not really the issue (except for recouping cost), since the chicks came to us for free).