show birds,sell them?keep them? sell chicks?

[chooketychook]

Hi I was wondering if anyone with experiance could help send me in the right direction.
Im in a fortunate position where ive been given a very reputable breeder trio of show silkies they are 2 years old and are throwing excellent chicks all my silkies have been from him over the years after a fox hit he donated a trio to me.
I began breeding them and went to sell a few online people saw the pictures of the parent birds and I was swormed with request to buy I ended up having to refuse the waiting list and take the add down.
My Question is I dont see many people selling there good quality/possible show quality birds is this because people dont want everyone to have there line? Is it to reduce competition,my worry is which is a lil selfish if I sell my chicks then next year ill have more competition for selling/showing but at the same time I do want to earn something back.
I guess im just looking for some insight,what is the best way to go with rare show birds.
Sorry if it seems a silly question but please try to help,thank you.

 

[juliechick]

Most breeders of show quality birds birds don't sell chicks or eggs, but they do sell adult birds after they pick out their "keepers". It's really up to you. I don't think it's really about reducing competition. Some just don't want to fool with shipping eggs and chicks.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi I was wondering if anyone with experiance could help send me in the right direction.
Im in a fortunate position where ive been given a very reputable breeder trio of show silkies they are 2 years old and are throwing excellent chicks all my silkies have been from him over the years after a fox hit he donated a trio to me.
I began breeding them and went to sell a few online people saw the pictures of the parent birds and I was swormed with request to buy I ended up having to refuse the waiting list and take the add down.
My Question is I dont see many people selling there good quality/possible show quality birds is this because people dont want everyone to have there line? Is it to reduce competition,my worry is which is a lil selfish if I sell my chicks then next year ill have more competition for selling/showing but at the same time I do want to earn something back.
I guess im just looking for some insight,what is the best way to go with rare show birds.
Sorry if it seems a silly question but please try to help,thank you.

Hi,
I ran into the same dilemma. I think it comes down to respect for the strain. I have a trio of SQ Light Sussex from a pure English strain. I had known the breeder from another breed and he asked me if I wanted some of his birds. I said yes, and he sold them to me with the caveat that I not sell any of the males without his consent. Not sell any breeding birds without his consent. He is worried, and rightly so, that folk will buy these birds and then cross them with inferior stock, then naming the crosses after his strain he worked so hard to improve. It's a real problem this days. esp with folk believing incorrectly from listening to all this biodiversity drivel that they must cross strains to found a flock.
The condition in our agreement here was that any new blood brought in must have his approval. And a separate strain of his bird's blood must be kept separate and pure. Plus any sales of his pure strain including breedable birds must be approved by him. I tink that is fair.
To date, I have given a lady who isn't breeding some cockerels to guard her flock which is all she wanted. do have an approved outcross hen as an experiment and will have two strains here, per the agreement. I have one person whom my breeder agreed to and sent to me. I will be providing them with breeding stock this summer.
other than that, it's about the breed. Not the money. About respect for the efforts of others and making sure the birds go to homes that will respect the strain as much as myself anf the breeder who sold them to me. I know you know that or you wouldn't be asking or concerned. I do have a fun outlet for them. The breeder who sold the to me said I must provide a breeding trio to a 4H kid for their junior project. He helps the 4H in his area. I gave away a trio last year and will do so again this year. It's so much fun to watch the kids faces light up. I would check with the breeder of your birds. Ask him/her what they think and what concerns they have when selling their strain. Then you can take your cue from him/her.
Best Regards,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[chooketychook]

Hi,
 I ran into the same dilemma. I think it comes down to respect for the strain. I have a trio of SQ Light Sussex from a pure English strain. I had known the breeder from another breed and he asked me if I wanted some of his birds. I said yes, and he sold them to me with the caveat that I not sell any of the males without his consent. Not sell any breeding birds without his consent. He is worried, and rightly so, that folk will buy these birds and then cross them with inferior stock, then naming the crosses after his strain he worked so hard to improve. It's a real problem this days. esp with folk believing incorrectly from listening to all this biodiversity drivel that they must cross strains to found a flock. 
  The condition in our agreement here was that any new   blood brought in must have his approval. And a separate strain of his bird's blood must be kept separate and pure. Plus any sales of his pure strain        including breedable birds must be approved by him. I tink that is  fair. 
    To date, I have given a lady who isn't breeding some cockerels to guard her  flock which is all she wanted.  do have an approved outcross hen as an experiment and will have two  strains here, per the agreement.  I have one person whom my breeder agreed to and sent to me. I will be providing them with breeding stock this summer.
   other than that,  it's about the breed. Not the money. About respect for the efforts of others and making sure the birds go to homes that will respect the strain as much as myself anf the breeder who sold them to me.  I know you know that or you wouldn't be asking or concerned. I do have a fun outlet for them. The breeder who sold the to me said I must provide a breeding trio to a 4H kid for their junior project. He helps the 4H in his area. I gave away a trio last year and will do so again this year. It's so much fun to watch the kids faces light up. I would check with the breeder of your birds. Ask him/her what they think and what concerns they have when selling their strain. Then you can take your cue from  him/her.
 Best Regards,
 Karen in western PA, USA

Thank you sooo so much for this answer it is just what im looking for,my breeder said the same thing he said please look after my birds and do not sell them like normal chickens,ive just hatched some and am only selling two as I promised a lady who wanted them as a gift for her fathers bday the rest I apooigised and said no I cant sell them until I know what im doing I really dont want to let my breeder down these are his prized birds.
I know what im going to do FIRST and foremost is raise some to pullet age and select the best,THEN only sell those that are pet quality or breeder quality and ONLY hens,selfish? Maybe!
Your right its not just about the money you can make money out of any random hybrid,I want to do this trio justice and have some of the best birds around why not I travelled 6hrs each way to collect them and made about 5 trips to him before the fox hit!
Thanks again for steering me in the right direction now I dont feel so much like the stingy chicken lady haha!