This really irks me (Show Quality VS. Non-Show)

[TK Poultry]

im a 4H'er and have a very frugal mother and understand trying to barter trying to get a more reasonable price so that mom will get it for you, but i also respect the breeders enough to sit and think okay they have probably have put years into the breed and know what they are talking about so i probably shouldnt say anything. and to say tat 4H'ers dont want sq birds is hurtful because i have looked high and low for good birds and im fortuante to have a few local breeders that have cut me a break and said ill help you out. that is how i got my ameraucanas. im also a semi breeder myself and understand the frustration of having a buyer that just wont pay the price your asking.

 

[seedcorn]

For me, I can't (won't) pay much for a chicken as I've had dogs, cats, hawks, coons, skunks, etc take them out. So if I see something I want, I will try to buy it at a price I will pay. If the other person doesn't want to sell it at that price, so be it. I don't get mad, neither should they.

For someone to say what something is worth, someone has to offer it. Something is only worth what someone else will pay for it or how much it will take for you to part with it. My dog (mutt) is worthless but I wouldn't sell her for anything.....but I'm not going to blow how I've got a $1,000,000.00 dog.

 

[lildinkem]

I love my mutts. Their priceless!! I have just over 2 years experince with chickens. And some of the best birds I have were given to me. The cost was what it took to get them here.
I think IF your a 4-H family and you like the better quality birds get into breed clubs of what you like. Go strait to the president and ask him/her who you can get good bird from.
I think the true EXHIBITION breeders do give their best birds to those who they trust to not breed and flood the market. Who they can count on in case the worst case scenario happens and heaven forbid they need some blood back. Usually the better breeders only let other diehard breeders of a given breed have their stock. Cause they know that person will not screw up the line. Example being a friend I have who is being cattered by other breed clubs cause they know she has a great eye for certain breeds and she makes great birds . Now all the better breeders are giving her birds to play with. And I get the freebies she no longer uses in her breeding program. One is coming in this week. For the cost of shipping. It is best for all to have the best quality available. Especially our little poultry lovers (4-Hers). Unfortunately, alot of folks who breed do not show, and they very well may have some of the best darn birds out there. You can usually hunt them down in breed clubs. Or places like BYC. But, you first need an eye for your breed. And that means either go to shows or get Poultry Press and look at the pics of the winning birds of each of the breeds. Then you know who walks the walks and are selling their better birds.

 

[seedcorn]

Most breeders I've known have rooster lines, hen lines, experimental lines. So to buy a few chicks, eggs, birds from them is worthless as you can't duplicate what they've done unless you have all their genetic material. I always get a good laugh when someone tells me how much they paid for a chicken and act like they have this breeders line now.........I never try to correct them for if they are happy, I'm happy for them. I do get a little upset when some novice buy them for that reason but it's a cheap lesson learned. Let the buyer beware is my motto but I have no love for a con person.

I met a breeder of laced polish who had this pen full of half grown stock w/my pick. He said he couldn't tell roosters from hens so he said they were 50/50 pick away. Something wasn't right, then the light came on.......they were all roosters, he had seperated the pullets out. Nice roosters but they were roosters.

 

[Shadowhills Farm]

I use to be in 4-H (for horses) and FFA (steers)

Anyways, I've really seen a lot at horse shows and fairs. There's the kids who get everything handed to them, and then there's the kids who work their butt off to get their animal in the best condition possible.

I've seen both sides at my local county fair! Although, there are rules that say "only the exhibitor can handle the animal...." it still happens. The group of kids who bark at their parents to take care of their animals (food/water wise) and go running off with friends. BUT then there are little 8 and 9 yr olds that NEED help, so that's an exception.

At horse shows it's the same way! The big show barns who have grooms, stable hands, etc. I'm not trying to pick on the big show barns, but most of those kids never groom/tack up their horses for the show. They sit there, watch, and bark commands at the hired hands. Then they just hand the horse back over to the hired hands, and run off with their friends when they are done. BUT then you have the smaller barns, whos kids have to get their horse ready, and who want to do it.



Just saying....


Now I'm not sure about the chicken shows, since I'm new to it. I do know that the chickens at the local fair are handled strictly by the exhibitors (most of them are young), and they enjoy doing it. I am not sure if the local fair kids use Hatchery or SQ birds. I think they use both, but mostly Hatchery.

I'm just starting up getting some quality birds that I can show. On Tuesday, I'm picking up a Black Cochin that just won Best of Breed and I believe Reserve Champ at the local youth fair. I am willing to pay the owner the amount she is asking.

 

[TK Poultry]

Quote:
exactly this is the way it works best.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I was browsing Ebay and found somebody selling SQ cuckoo silkies with SINGLE COMBS.

 

[little_grey_bantam]

My deal is, I love kids who are doing the best they can with parents who want to help them!
I've cut a lot of deals for 4Hers, but have run into one too many "lazy" 4Hers!
I've been even known to trade pullet chicks for roosters

lol

I can't tell you how proud I am when someone comes in and is interested, wanting to get into it and trying to give it a go.
In this case, I've had just enough snotty people to make me weary. Though not many, they won't stop me from trying to raise my birds and help out those who want to be helped!

Like the other week... a lady wanted $40 for 10 EE chicken eggs...

from hatcheries.
I was polite, but just couldn't believe it. I don't even sell my FBCMs for that much! O.O

So to all the 4Hers out there, I'm not "against" you, if you're hurt, you're probably trying to do the right thing and just conscious of what is wrong.
If you have money issues and you are truthful about it, I'd be more than happy to cut a price from a $10 bird down to a buck or even free!
I'm irritated by the people who push things on you, give you an attitude and think they've got all that.
I think that just comes with the territory!

But boy, am I happy to send chicks home to 4Hers

Informing and helping them out will always outweigh the snotty, lazy parents who want good things for cheap ANY DAY%Pr

 

[little_grey_bantam]

My deal is, I love kids who are doing the best they can with parents who want to help them!
I've cut a lot of deals for 4Hers, but have run into one too many "lazy" 4Hers!
I've been even known to trade pullet chicks for roosters

lol

I can't tell you how proud I am when someone comes in and is interested, wanting to get into it and trying to give it a go.
In this case, I've had just enough snotty people to make me weary. Though not many, they won't stop me from trying to raise my birds and help out those who want to be helped!

Like the other week... a lady wanted $40 for 10 EE chicken eggs...

from hatcheries.
I was polite, but just couldn't believe it. I don't even sell my FBCMs for that much! O.O

So to all the 4Hers out there, I'm not "against" you, if you're hurt, you're probably trying to do the right thing and just conscious of what is wrong.
If you have money issues and you are truthful about it, I'd be more than happy to cut a price from a $10 bird down to a buck or even free!
I'm irritated by the people who push things on you, give you an attitude and think they've got all that.
I think that just comes with the territory!

But boy, am I happy to send chicks home to 4Hers

Informing and helping them out will always outweigh the snotty, lazy parents who want good things for cheap ANY DAY%Pr

 

[GotChicken?]

I'm not a seller, but I know if I want a quality bird, I have to pay a quality price. It's that simple. If I don't have the money, I either save up for it or forgo the purchase all together.

However, I know just from general experience holding yard sales, selling cars, etc. the way things work, at least in the screwball's view of reality.

If you're selling the item, they want to pay as little as possible, and will B and moan over your prices like you're a founding member of the Redneck mafia. I actually had a woman at one of my yard sales argue with me over an item I had priced for a nickel. A nickel.

However, if they're selling the item, they want every penny they paid, plus whatever they put into the item, just for the privilege of owning something that was once theirs, no matter how briefly.

There's a lot of (rhymes with bass bowls) out there, and they make it hard for decent people everywhere.