Went to Elkton today/yesterday. Met up with Okla-doodle-doo. Bought a gorgous blue silkie rooster, 4 silkie hens, and 2 gorgous, GORGOUS! Partridge cochin bantams. Ive fallen for them already. Lovely birds. Sassy to!
The Middle Tennessee Thread
- Thread starter CityGirlintheCountry
- Start date
Morning all! I'm looking out the kitchen window trying to decide if the weather will be OK to hit the WilCo Fair later today. It really is a great fair, in the best, old-timey tradition.
I have been to it several years running, and I do agree about the quality of the birds. In all fairness, though, I can think of two good reasons why you see backyard birds instead of show birds:
1) Show folks who value their birds would not want to leave them out in that tent for over a week. Some years it's been over 100 in the tent - - with fans running! What terrible stress on a bird. While I would love to bring a few of my purebreds down there just for public education, I personally would not stress my birds like that.
2) Breed standards are not READILY available and easy to access on the web. I have visited many, many breed organizations on the web, and every one of them is very different. I have had a devil of a time trying to find the breed standard pages - - for both sexes - - and for all colors - - on some of the sites. And remember, the APA does not ever just list the dang standards and pics on their website! You have to shell out plenty of $$ to buy the hardcopy book and have it shipped to your home. That in itself is very frustrating for someone starting out. It pretty much leaves the casual breeder out of the loop. You have to be a real chicken nut to stay with it and track down all the info you need to properly breed chickens.
That said . . . I do take a look at the chickens just for fun, and to see what's out there. It's the fair! Whoo-hoo!
Git ye a deep fried snickers bar and some shaved ice and enjoy the craziness.
Eh well, I'd better go pick some kale for the birds before they start fussing about their missing breakfast greens. (we need a servant smiley)
Hope you all enjoy the day! (And we really do need to organize a mid-TN poultry show. . . . )
Hope to hear from matlock this morning on how that hen is doing with her foot. . .
I have been to it several years running, and I do agree about the quality of the birds. In all fairness, though, I can think of two good reasons why you see backyard birds instead of show birds:
1) Show folks who value their birds would not want to leave them out in that tent for over a week. Some years it's been over 100 in the tent - - with fans running! What terrible stress on a bird. While I would love to bring a few of my purebreds down there just for public education, I personally would not stress my birds like that.
2) Breed standards are not READILY available and easy to access on the web. I have visited many, many breed organizations on the web, and every one of them is very different. I have had a devil of a time trying to find the breed standard pages - - for both sexes - - and for all colors - - on some of the sites. And remember, the APA does not ever just list the dang standards and pics on their website! You have to shell out plenty of $$ to buy the hardcopy book and have it shipped to your home. That in itself is very frustrating for someone starting out. It pretty much leaves the casual breeder out of the loop. You have to be a real chicken nut to stay with it and track down all the info you need to properly breed chickens.
That said . . . I do take a look at the chickens just for fun, and to see what's out there. It's the fair! Whoo-hoo!
Eh well, I'd better go pick some kale for the birds before they start fussing about their missing breakfast greens. (we need a servant smiley)
Hope you all enjoy the day! (And we really do need to organize a mid-TN poultry show. . . . )
Hope to hear from matlock this morning on how that hen is doing with her foot. . .
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Ooooh. OK CityGirl, why don't you organize a Mid-TN Chicken Exposition!!!
It could be designed for the general public, and could include exhibits from breeders with their birds - - and booths where folks can talk to the breeders . . . vendors of chicken products . . . feeders, coops, medical supplies, books, chicken diapers, you name it . . . and panels of experts with discussions on state laws and regulations, basic veterinary care, breeding information, coop building, breed clubs, etc etc. You could even have informal discussions, with local folks presenting on their own setups.
Have drawings for chickeny prizes, concession areas . . . I would need more coffee to think any more than that.
It could be designed for the general public, and could include exhibits from breeders with their birds - - and booths where folks can talk to the breeders . . . vendors of chicken products . . . feeders, coops, medical supplies, books, chicken diapers, you name it . . . and panels of experts with discussions on state laws and regulations, basic veterinary care, breeding information, coop building, breed clubs, etc etc. You could even have informal discussions, with local folks presenting on their own setups.
Have drawings for chickeny prizes, concession areas . . . I would need more coffee to think any more than that.
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Yep, she was pretty sorry looking. I only bought her cause I felt sorry for her.....figured I would "rehab" her over the summer and decide what to do with her after that. She was really done well here, I just don't have much for her....
Yep, she was pretty sorry looking. I only bought her cause I felt sorry for her.....figured I would "rehab" her over the summer and decide what to do with her after that. She was really done well here, I just don't have much for her....
- Thread starter
- #2,346
http://youtu.be/SRkdwrmzYXg
This makes me sick to my stomach. I've worked on and around these roof structures for years. I have put them up, worked gigs under them and taken them back down. They are massive, heavy structures. Seeing one twist down like this just makes me cry. According to the word winging through the industry, the follow spot operators were still up in the structure. At least one of them has died. Why didn't the organizers bring the roof in? Why didn't they at least bring down the follow spot ops? There was no reason to have this structure up in the air with this sort of storm on the way. You can see the intensity in the video. Protocol demands that with just the threat of bad weather you bring the roof down to at least halfway and you clear the area. These deaths were needless and the result of someone not wanting to stop the show rather than choosing safety.
The whole thing breaks my heart.
This makes me sick to my stomach. I've worked on and around these roof structures for years. I have put them up, worked gigs under them and taken them back down. They are massive, heavy structures. Seeing one twist down like this just makes me cry. According to the word winging through the industry, the follow spot operators were still up in the structure. At least one of them has died. Why didn't the organizers bring the roof in? Why didn't they at least bring down the follow spot ops? There was no reason to have this structure up in the air with this sort of storm on the way. You can see the intensity in the video. Protocol demands that with just the threat of bad weather you bring the roof down to at least halfway and you clear the area. These deaths were needless and the result of someone not wanting to stop the show rather than choosing safety.
The whole thing breaks my heart.
I'm going up to Foley's again soon..what a surprise
Last time several people asked me if he had any call ducks for sale...He has some now if you check his web site and if you want them I can bring them back when I go up.
Jenski-I completely agree with the issues of the fair chickens that's why they shouldn't be sanctioned approved shows..They should be judged more like 4-H on condition and care and not even list a breed for the birds.Then have fun things like most unusual or weirdest look but not breed types...Chickens are the only animal that has to stay at Wilson fair the whole time all the others are shown and taken home..rabbits have their choice that's why some are left but not most..and most of those rabbits are for sale.They need to revamp the entire poultry part maybe have a sanctioned show-one day no stay shown fairly and then the fair fun type that can stay if they want..they would draw a huge amount of birds doing that.
CityGirl-I agree what were they thinking..I know they said it came in pretty quick but seems like they should have cleared the area a bit faster than they did and get the roof down.I dare say there is going to be one big law suit against the fair..such a sad thing that money triumph's common sense on both sides..wouldn't catch me standing out there in that weather either.
Jenski-I completely agree with the issues of the fair chickens that's why they shouldn't be sanctioned approved shows..They should be judged more like 4-H on condition and care and not even list a breed for the birds.Then have fun things like most unusual or weirdest look but not breed types...Chickens are the only animal that has to stay at Wilson fair the whole time all the others are shown and taken home..rabbits have their choice that's why some are left but not most..and most of those rabbits are for sale.They need to revamp the entire poultry part maybe have a sanctioned show-one day no stay shown fairly and then the fair fun type that can stay if they want..they would draw a huge amount of birds doing that.
CityGirl-I agree what were they thinking..I know they said it came in pretty quick but seems like they should have cleared the area a bit faster than they did and get the roof down.I dare say there is going to be one big law suit against the fair..such a sad thing that money triumph's common sense on both sides..wouldn't catch me standing out there in that weather either.
Jenski-
My injured hen will not let me come close to her. She stays by the house through the days, but under some bushes, I can never get to her in time. Her foot is still curled. It's color is normal, and there is no swelling. She won't even try to bear weight on it though. When I had her in my hands and looked her over, she didn't necessarily like being handled, but she never showed any signs of anything I did hurting her. She's an ancona, and roosted in a tree before, so she is a good hider. I can never find her close to dark when I know I could catch her. I'll try again this evening.
My injured hen will not let me come close to her. She stays by the house through the days, but under some bushes, I can never get to her in time. Her foot is still curled. It's color is normal, and there is no swelling. She won't even try to bear weight on it though. When I had her in my hands and looked her over, she didn't necessarily like being handled, but she never showed any signs of anything I did hurting her. She's an ancona, and roosted in a tree before, so she is a good hider. I can never find her close to dark when I know I could catch her. I'll try again this evening.
Yesterday I turned all the broody hens out with the kids to which ever pen they normally live in...so my nice mottled blue cochin hen took her one chick out and took her dust bath,ate some bugs and had a great time...little chick caught on quickly.Last night when I went to lock them up little chick was missing.Searched the run no little chick...Momma was on the roost no little chick..lost the little chick.I asked the others in the pen where little chick was they just blinked their little eyes then Toast the buff Silkie Rooster we got from Anne wiggled a bit and out popped little chick
My Silkies are finally good at something...baby sitting
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Too funny!
Isn't it nice to get a GOOD surprise! (and yes, I can just see you out there in the pen asking the hens where that chick was. . . )
Holly, I think you have great ideas about how to redo the chicken exhibits for the fair. Why don't you call them when the fair is about over, and discuss it? You are absolutely right about the birds being the only ones who have to stay the entire week. It's really not safe or particularly humane. . . . of course, if you talk to them you may end up with a new job, heh heh!
CityGirl, I had no idea about the rules and regs for those types of structures. What an awful tragedy.
matlock, hope you had some luck catching your flighty bird. Keep us posted.
emmalynn, ahh, a conspirator! That's just who we need. Keep working on CityGirl!
Hope you are all enjoying the nice cool morning! What a relief it is to go outside and not end up soaking wet. . . . reminds me I need to pull out the heaters and heat lamps and get them all cleaned up for winter. . .
Too funny!
Holly, I think you have great ideas about how to redo the chicken exhibits for the fair. Why don't you call them when the fair is about over, and discuss it? You are absolutely right about the birds being the only ones who have to stay the entire week. It's really not safe or particularly humane. . . . of course, if you talk to them you may end up with a new job, heh heh!
CityGirl, I had no idea about the rules and regs for those types of structures. What an awful tragedy.
matlock, hope you had some luck catching your flighty bird. Keep us posted.
emmalynn, ahh, a conspirator! That's just who we need. Keep working on CityGirl!
Hope you are all enjoying the nice cool morning! What a relief it is to go outside and not end up soaking wet. . . . reminds me I need to pull out the heaters and heat lamps and get them all cleaned up for winter. . .
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