Good job Ann! I'd like to add the Agway would probably not be the best place for a Chickenstock - at least, not like the ones I have attended, and I'm spoiled now! These are many hours-long events, sometimes starting the night before, with milling about around and around and around. A personal home is best. A park area with lots of room to park, and shelter from the weather is another good choice, but usually has to be reserved for a lot of money beforehand, and limits the hours and visitors who must come a long distance. We have so much fun at these, that the next location is chosen before we leave the first. There will be one next June in the Thousand Islands, NY, with the people from the last two Chickenstocks. We didn't want them to end, and there was just not enough time to talk to everyone. I talk to the new friends I met there all the time now - they were wonderful!
Some warnings to anyone who wishes to host one - the one in PA in May received many more people than they expected, and the one in October received only about half! That was worse, because a great deal of time and money went into preparing for the number of people who said they were coming, and then never showed up. I had the same thing happen to me, and it was not fun. I would be happy to host another, but I am afraid of the same thing happening again, and I simply don't have the money to throw away on no-shows.
Also, be aware that there will be serious violations of the "bio-security" rules if held on your property. This is not generally a problem if your birds are healthy, and allow no one to handle your birds or enter your coop. There will be birds for sale or trade there from many different people, so if your birds free-range in the days after, they will be walking through all that poop, so plan on medicating them as a preventative. Plans for inclement weather need to be made, for both birds and people. An auction is usually held, with donations gathered from vendors by the host. People need to eat, and have a place to throw garbage. A port-o-potty is a must for more than 15 people. A place for the kids to keep busy and out of harm's way will be necessary - this event is for adults. A great amount of debris will be left behind for the host to clean up.
I don't mean to be a downer, but these events require a bit of work and planning. The result is an unbelievable connection to new friends and an influx of new blood into your coop. If you don't show birds, these may be the only places you can hang out with others who share your views about poultry, or buy good quality birds. These gatherings represent all that this website tries to accomplish. I hope to attend many more in the future!
Some warnings to anyone who wishes to host one - the one in PA in May received many more people than they expected, and the one in October received only about half! That was worse, because a great deal of time and money went into preparing for the number of people who said they were coming, and then never showed up. I had the same thing happen to me, and it was not fun. I would be happy to host another, but I am afraid of the same thing happening again, and I simply don't have the money to throw away on no-shows.
Also, be aware that there will be serious violations of the "bio-security" rules if held on your property. This is not generally a problem if your birds are healthy, and allow no one to handle your birds or enter your coop. There will be birds for sale or trade there from many different people, so if your birds free-range in the days after, they will be walking through all that poop, so plan on medicating them as a preventative. Plans for inclement weather need to be made, for both birds and people. An auction is usually held, with donations gathered from vendors by the host. People need to eat, and have a place to throw garbage. A port-o-potty is a must for more than 15 people. A place for the kids to keep busy and out of harm's way will be necessary - this event is for adults. A great amount of debris will be left behind for the host to clean up.
I don't mean to be a downer, but these events require a bit of work and planning. The result is an unbelievable connection to new friends and an influx of new blood into your coop. If you don't show birds, these may be the only places you can hang out with others who share your views about poultry, or buy good quality birds. These gatherings represent all that this website tries to accomplish. I hope to attend many more in the future!
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