Tell me about auctions!

[NewToFarming]

I know they would go faster but there are problems with a couple boys that have it out for each other and that is whu right now I need to rehome some boys.

 

[Oregon Blues]

In my opinion, the most humane and loving thing you can do for roosters is to kill them quickly and put them into your own freezer. When you sell a chicken, the bird is simply taking its chances. It might go to a good home, it might be eaten, it might be thrown out in the mud to starve, it might be used to train pitbulls to kill. Once it leaves your hands, you no longer have any controll over what happens to it.

This is said with kindness. It is not said to be mean. Anyone who can not deal with the reality of what happens to all the roosters, really should not be breeding any chicks at all. No hatching, no buying straight run, not even buying "pullet" chicks, because sometimes those contain roosters. The only way to not have to deal with roosters not being treated as loved pets (and only a microscopic number are ever treated as pets) is to only purchase point of lay hens and either not keep a rooster at all, or never allow the hens to go broody.

To tell yourself that roosters sent through the auction are going to go to loving perfect homes is unrealistic. It's like the people who abandon their dogs in the country because "a nice farmer will give them a wonderful home on a farm." Or the people who think that the cat they turn into the Humane Society will get a good home. Those people are lying to themselves.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

I'm an auctioneer and have had several livestock and small animal auctions and sold tens of thousands of chickens. I can't speak for your state (PA), but in the auctions I've had or called for others in this area and in the other states I've worked, it seems to work out that around 80% of all chickens I auctioned off went to brokers or resalers. Around 15% went to people for eatting and the last 5% were sold for either pets or breeding stock.

With brokers and resalers, like anyone else, you get the bad ones along with the good. Some take very good care of their stock and others treat them terrible. If you are wanting to get rid of extra roosters and just want to turn them into cash - an auction is a sure-fire best bet. If you want to know they are going to pet homes.... not so much.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Well, I went to the auction. I didn't bid on any chickens! But I brought 3 back that I took, because they wanted to sell my half grown silkies for $1.25!!! Out of six cages of chickens, I got a check for $16.21. However, I have less to feed.

 

[NewToFarming]

Quote:
I don't think I told myself that they would find perfect homes, I believe I was asking a question on who attends and why they purchase them.
What is wrong with attempting to find a good home prior to them meeting their death? If they are good to people and their girls they at least deserve that chance. I had asked about auctions so I would be the best informed of the choices available to me. I had wanted to know what types of people attend auctions and purchased roosters which a previous poster gave me excellent information to make my choice.

I don't believe I would be a bad breeder because I want to find homes for extra boys which I know alot of breeders do the same as well. I put alot of money and time into them and to just kill them seems very pointless to me. If they can make someone else happy as their pet, even the better. So far the homes I had found for some have been good homes. I am sure I can find a few more.

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
I don't think I told myself that they would find perfect homes, I believe I was asking a question on who attends and why they purchase them.
What is wrong with attempting to find a good home prior to them meeting their death? If they are good to people and their girls they at least deserve that chance. I had asked about auctions so I would be the best informed of the choices available to me. I had wanted to know what types of people attend auctions and purchased roosters which a previous poster gave me excellent information to make my choice.

I don't believe I would be a bad breeder because I want to find homes for extra boys which I know alot of breeders do the same as well. I put alot of money and time into them and to just kill them seems very pointless to me. If they can make someone else happy as their pet, even the better. So far the homes I had found for some have been good homes. I am sure I can find a few more.

You are also not taking into account pure-bred activist who need or want to continue their breed- if you have birds that meet or come close to the SOP for that breed contact the breed boards.

 

[corancher]

I generally give a nice rooster to anyone that purchases pullets or hens if they want one. I like to know that they are going to a home where they can be king of the roost. Sadly, I still end up with more roosters than what I need. I do send some of mine to the auction.

 

[NewToFarming]

Quote:
Thanks! I plan to do that as well when I get more girls here. I just don't have enough girls yet in order to do that as of yet. I had planned to sell in pairs or trios but adding the boys as a bonus is a great idea!!!

 

[CapricornFarm]

She's so smart, started up her own swap thread;-)

 

[NewToFarming]

Quote:
Sorry, I didn't see this until now! Wow! probably spent more on gas to get there!

I know what you mean about less to feed and also less drama! LOL

I will keep trying a little while longer to see about getting homes for them. So far things have been more mellow after rehoming the recent two boys.
Thanks for all of your help with this!!!