Newbie going to Stockton: Advice?

[melalthia]

So I've never been to a Chicken Show and I think we are going to drive two hours to Stockton next weekend and check it out. Is it possible i could get some advice from from y'all? I'm in the market to fill out my flock with 2-3 more pullets and I'm wondering if this is a good way of doing it? Or instead of visiting the sales barn, maybe just talk to the breeders of the birds I'm interested in to see when they'll have chicks ready? Will breeders bring chicks to the show or do they only sell full grown birds? How do people go about it? I read somewhere that breeders may avoid the sales barn because of diseases and stress on the birds. And if i end up purchasing some birds, how can I transport them with the least amount of stress posssible?

Any advice for a newbie would be greatly appreciated.
I'm excited! I think it will be fun...

 

[MissPrissy]

I don't go to chicken shows or swaps or meetings.

Please practice strict biosecurity when bringing in chickens from other places.

Your clothing and especially your shoes will track around all sorts of things that could bring little nasty bugs home with you.

 

[melalthia]

ooo thanks for that! I was planning on keeping the birds separate for awhile but it's great to be reminded of the consequences of possible illness.

i hear you about being cautious about not going to shows and possible endangering your flock, but I'm starting to get a bit desperate. I've been really wanting to meet local breeders so I don't have to do mail order and have a large order. I love my birds and it was hard enough finding good homes for the two roosters I ended up with in my last batch. And if I'm going to add a small number of chickens, I'd like to get different breeds.

I've written several posts on BYC asking if there were any California Breeders out there and no one ever responds. This is the only way I can think of where I might meet some.

 

[tfpets]

Quote:
Hi there!
Going to the show is a great experience to see multiple breeds of purebreed birds, the real deal, in lines and lines of cages on tables. I actually love it, seeing them all together. And they are judged on their standards by judges from all over the place. Noisy, smelly, and oh, beautiful! Geese, Ducks, Turkeys, and chickens. They are Wonderful examples of their breeds and varieties.
But yes, whether you purchase birds or not, you should be aware that you can carry all manner of bugs and issues back home.
Then again, you can anytime you step out to a neighbors yard, or into another place/town and see they have birds/pets/poultry...and, oh what pretty chickens animals they have?? It's a risk we take all time, every day, it's just a lot more profound at a poultry show, given there are Thousands of birds from all over the nation in one place, and many many people spreading stuff as well! You must take precautions if you get birds from the show. And I would change clothes and and shoes and wash after getting home before going out to your own birds too, just to be careful.

About breeders for your birds. It depends on where you are (you do live in a rather interesting area

) and what you are looking for! And when you MUST have them. I know of several people here in my area, and in the Bay area, that raise birds, breed birds, or that have sold them to me, at various times. Thats how I have gotten mine, and I am up in Chico/Forest Ranch. I continue to work on getting the breeds I want as well, when the opportunity comes up. Keep your eyes peeled here on BYC! The Buy sell trade section, or post up a wanted list sometime.

The sales barn will have some birds for sale. What I noticed is they are pretty pricey!!! Come prepared to pay! I had better luck making arrangements with folks to meet before the sales barn to just pick up my birds there, to save them the exposure to the rest of the birds...and I have to quarantine.

Transporting with the least amount of stress for my birds is in cat carriers! The Pet carriers, the plastic ones with the wire door? And I cover them with a sheet or towel. They travel well. You'd be amazed at how many of them lay an egg in the carrier!

I hope you go and have fun! We'll be there! Hope to see ya!
Tina/tfpets

 

[melalthia]

Quote:
ha ha.. thanks for the advice!
Yes! I would do this as well, except i'm such a newbie I don't know anybody!!!

I've done web searches; i've been posting on BYC. Where are all the California breeders? I've even gone to breed clubs I've found on line and tried to email people directly. First of all, I didn't find very many.. and the ones I did find didn't write me back when I emailed. Its' weird. I figure i just haven't been looking at the right places.. so I'm hoping this show is going to enable me to network and figure out who's out there. I will not be deterred from my new passion!

I'm so happy to make your acquaintance by the way. Nice to get some "local" advice!

 

[newchickenfamily]

I just PM'd you and noticed that there is another big thread on Stockton. Scroll down a little bit and you will see it below this one.