Silkie chicken for $125?

[Sonoran Silkies]

With online auctions, the prices for quality birds tend to be somewhat uniform across the country; but there are always exceptions. Someone on one of the various lists posted photos recently of an absolutely gorgeous silkie hen or pullet she purchased for $10--from what could be seen (not closeups of toes, etc), this was certainly a SQ bird. And a few years ago a very, very pet quality silkie went for something like $1200 on eggbid. But by and large, these are exceptions.

I will say that I believe auction birds, at least the better quality ones, tend to go for higher prices than purchase directly from a breeder--that is the nature of auctions. When you add the cost of shipping (an average of about $50), even a $10 bird becomes a $60 bird.

Some breeds tend to go for higher $$ than others, and better quality birds go for more than lesser quality ones regaredless of breed.

Brand (or breeder) does affect price, even though it theoretically shouldn't. You pay more for a Cadellac than for a Chevy; you pay more for namebrand groceries than for storebrand, even though they are often identical except for the labels. Etc.

Sometimes gorgeous birds do not throw great babies and sometimes not so perfect ones do.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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Its all about education, and being an informed buyer...

 

[SunshineSilkies]

For my program, every dollar that I have spent has been well worth it to me. I realized very quickly the difference in a hatchery silkie and one from a breeder. For me, a couple of well known breeders was the way to go. The time and $$ spent were well worth it if I wanted to show. I have a long way to go in my breeding program, but starting with the right birds has helped alot. I could tell a difference in the looks of the chicks as soon as they were born. That makes the $$ spent worthwhile!

 

[Smoky73]

I know of several instances where there have been some bird breeders (not all silkie either, or all chicken) where the sellers have sold birds for outrageous prices to people knowing full well that the bird can't or won't breed. A hen who has never laid an egg in her life, etc. Those people got screwed. Know and trust who you are buying from before you purchase. Ask around on the persons rep.

Yep, you could pay $125 for a chicken that could die tomorrow, but so could any other animal you purchase. The horse that cost you several thousand could freak out an injure or kill themselves accidently.
I have actually had a chicken hang itself on a water heater cord. (freak accident.) When I was a kid, we had an Irish Setter that accidently hung itself on the fence while we were gone. She used to like to look out over the 6 ft fence (jump up and hitch her front feet between the pickets and place back legs on center support) But we had to keep her chained as she could and would jump that fence. That day, when she jumped up, the chain got wrapped around the picket....

Sorry for being so horrid, but my point is, accidents do happen no matter what sometimes. Its the chance we take and believe me, if I pay that much for a bird, I darn sure baby it like its my own child! Its an investment in your future breeding program.



Its funny, we have a chevy truck and my F-I-L has a cadillac escalade. In the interior, there is very little difference between the two they almost look identical.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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Why do you think my coops look like Fort Knox? LOL

 

[kees]

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Wow!!! That chicken must get the best of care! That's a lot of money.

Suzy

 

[kees]

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Well if you break it down into what has gone into a show bird, $125 is nothing.

To start with you have the electricity it cost to run the incubator to hatch the eggs and the heat lamp in the brooder. Then you have the chick starter feed, shavings, medications, and any vaccinations for the chicks. Then you have housing requirements, feed, supplements, and any other medications over the life of the bird. Over time, these things REALLY add up, and I'd bet that if you seriously broke it down and kept track, $125 is only a fraction of the money put into a good show bird.

And then there is the little thing about putting a price on time, energy, and effort. How do you assess a price tag on that?

I agree completely here. $125 is a good price for something that is"just a chicken". However, when I see a $2,000 bulldog I say "just a dog". Its the time, feed and management that goes into making and keeping these breeds looking like they do. Anyone can have a silkie, not everyone has the time and money to put into what you often see at the shows. I have a friend who has silkies now, and she does not have the time to care for her birds like I do and believe me, it shows. You should see the time I take in fixing their food alone. It costs more than standard feed sure, but I hand mix and add supplements and extra and mix bowls daily. And mine are not so pampered that they are in heated and A/C'd coops, but they are kept out of the rain and wet and wind and on clean litter that I change more than I would for any other breed I own. I wash and groom and make boots for them to keep them immacculate before the shows.I have a strict time frame I follow for mite and lice control. I incubate, which costs electricity, and distilled water I have to purchase, as well as heat lamps and I have AI'd some to get fertility. I have breeding records and started using a pedigree program. You have to study your birds andpair together the ones that you think would make the best offspring.
I sell my silkies for no less than $75 a hen and $50 a rooster and they go up from there.

I am in awe of your dedication to your chickens. They are so lucky to have you!

Suzy