I got home around 11:30 last night after the Stilwell sale. It rained most of the drive back, so I had to go a lot slower than the speed limit. Dark, wet roads and high winds make me ultra cautious behind the wheel. I couldn't sleep so some of you got PMs from me with a time stamp of 2 or 3 a.m.
There were quite a few birds at the sale, but I was only there to buy cockerels. I was in the market for young LF cockerels for caponizing. I brought home two Coronation Sussex Split cockerels, a couple of Black Java cockerels, and a trio of blue Andalusians. I'm not going to caponize the Andalusian cockerel, he was just too pretty to pass up.
I was impressed with the variety. A pair of Sebastopol geese went for more than sixty each. Very pretty, but a little rough. I'm sure they'll clean up nicely. I was sorely tempted to bid on them. Chinese and Pilgrim geese were also available, and buyers practically stole them. Again, I was tempted, but I don't have the facilities to raise geese.
Joe went home with a pair of Shamo. I don't remember what he bid, but I know it was much lower than I've seen Shamo sell for. Again, the chicken temptress was after me, but I didn't give in. The auctioneer pet a stuffed rooster every time someone got a really good deal on a bird or birds, which was often. Buying low happened more than selling high.
Here's the stuffed rooster the auctioneer kept petting. I think the winning bid for him was around $15.00 (the stuffed rooster, not the auctioneer).
The Shamo sure were pretty. I don't know anything about the breed, other than I sure had an urge to buy them.
There were lots of ducks and geese for sale. I was tempted by the large group of white runner ducks, very young, sold in pairs, and most went for about six dollars each; but I said, "NO! I'm not bidding." ... Just in my head, though, so that I wouldn't be confused with those who were buying lovely, inexpensive, white runner ducks.