should i buy state fair birds?

[wildorchid053]

the new york state fair just opened and i want to add some pullets to the 5 i have. should i wait and hatch my own chicks next spring or should i look into hens for sale at the fair?

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can do whatever you want as long as you use proper precautions. There can be advantages both ways, depending on why you want the chickens. Some state fair birds can be really good if you are looking for those that conform to standards and you can see what you are getting. The disadvantage to me is that the chickens are coming from a place that has chickens from all over. What diseases have they been exposed to while at the fair?

 

[DIMBY]

I say definately look for hens/pullets there! You'll be helping 4-H kids, too (but the auctions aren't for the faint of heart or slim in wallet - county champion fair birds here went for about $400 at auction - each!). As for diseases, each bird is inspected and the requirements are quite strict. You can always ask the judges, too.

 

[berkeleysprings]

i am going to the Ny statefair thursday ..... il be comeing from virginia .......
do u all think they will sell hatching eggs ?and what are the chances they will have wheaten marans ?

 

[Shared Acres]

It's been hard to get hatching eggs at the fairs, at least in my experience. I am noticing Marans popping up in the fairs.

They typically do test the birds when they enter for diseases, but I would still take precautions.

 

[wildorchid053]

i live about 20 min from the fair .. but around 400 for a bird? that ain't "cheap" lol. nice to know they are checked out before hand.. i am almost afraid to visit the chicken barn then come home.. hate to bring something home to my little flock. but i love looking at all the birds.. anything i can do to my sneakers to sanitize them? clothes i can wash but i live in my sneakers.

 

[DIMBY]

Well, the auction is a fund-raiser for 4-H/FFA activities and generally businesses/companies are the ones that are bidding, as a community service. Auction results are:
http://mesacountyfair.com/Auction.htm
(Full disclosure, my company does their web site).

However, it's fun to wander about the areas where the poultry is and talk to folks, one aspect I liked was to see how the different breeds mature and what they look like when full-grown.

 

[fzouk]

Yeah- I was wondering about that too- how to make sure that after walking around the poultry barn that shoes are properly disinfected so as not to bring something home to my little chickens. I guess I could wear my plastic shoes that I normally use for my chickens here because those things can be bleached or whatever to clean them.

 

[tgrlily]

Quote:
I don't think they sell hatching eggs there, but I could be wrong. Pretty sure they collect the eggs & donate them to the food pantry. There are only 2 Marans listed in the book & it doesn't list the color. I'll let you know or shoot a pic next time I'm in the poultry barn.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Even if you don't buy chickens there, you may get a contact for buying chickens or hatching eggs away from the fair.

Remember biosecurity works both ways. You don't know what diseases or parasites may be in your flock, but they have developed an immunity to it or have not come down with it yet. Don't wear the same clothes to the fair that you wear around your chickens. If you wear the same shoes, disinfect them before and after you go. Protect their chickens from yours as much as you want to protect your chickens from theirs.