The Poultry Keeper

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 502 Location: gwent

does anyone have any tips about buying birds from an auction please as i am going to be going to one soon so any advuce will be greatley appreciated for a 1st timer Very Happy

mojo · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

Dont....buy from someone you can visit

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Mojo, don't be such a pessimist.

Arrive early enough to have a look at the birds. Note any you might like to bid for & go back and have a really good look at them. Make allowances for the fact that they will be stressed, but if they look unwell, they probably are. Decide the amount you are prepared to pay per bird and don't go above it. Isolate any purchased bird for two weeks - if they're all bought at the same sale thay can be isolated together - and have accommodation prepared so they can be decanted from travelling boxes as soon as you get them home. Make sure the auctioneer is taking your bid and not from somebody standing directly behind you - it's perfectly in order to shout at him!

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

Have a good look at the birds in the surrounding cages to the ones you're interested in.

I went to an auction saturday and there was a cage of 3 amber stars and one had infectious bronchitis, so the birds from the same seller and the surrounding cages were all probably infected as well.

tracey061196 · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

I enjoy going to auctions as there are many different breeds, but some do look tacty.

I go to Salisbury, i leave home about 7 and get to Salisbury for about 8. The auction usually starts at 9ish so it gives me time to look at the cages.

Buy a catalogue and go around the cages looking at the birds that you are interested in, but be careful as what is said in the catalogue my not be the full truth from the seller ie age, breed, sex etc.

Have a limit per bird and stick with it as you can get carried away.

Good luck anyway, where are you going??

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1219 Location: Cornwall

Get carried away? Never lol lol lol

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Carmarthenshire

The first few time I went to a poultry aution I took my "chook oracle" with me - my friend who has been keeping chooks for 25 years. We got there early and went round looking closely at all the chooks whilst she would point out the ones to avoid - scaley leg, runny eyes, looking unwell etc... - and the ones she thought were good. She would also talk to the breeders selling certain birds - a few she already knew - and got to know a bit more about where they had come from. She then told me which ones to avoid, which to go for and what price she thought they should be. After a while I found myself taking over and able to spot which birds were good, I've also got to know quite a few of the sellers and, although all are friendly, know which ones I wouldn't buy from.

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Ross Sale, on August 23rd. Who else will be there then?

mojo · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject:

its sachas first time still say go to someone you can visit to gain experience first..................or pay henwife to have a day out with you to advise!!!!!!!!!

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Mojo - Sasha's already an experienced poultry keeper, just a newbie auction goer. I'm hoping to meet quite a number of people, so I'd better get there early enough to have a good look around too. Hatching eggs for me!

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2671 Location: South Cumbria

At the Clitheroe Auction there are a lot of 'old boys' who are more than happy to share their wisdom ! so do talk to the locals !

shear_legend9 · Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 18

Been to Clitheroe auction myself today, usually go to a smaller one in Chester (Chelford) and compared Clitheroe is utter madness. Had a real good time and ended up buying a few quail and a couple more Light Sussex. Gilly is right though, in that there are a few old boys about to chat to, a few gave me advice on what/how/when to buy.

Diane · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 276 Location: Dorset

I go to Salisbury sometimes - very exciting it is too .

One tip - wear very stout shoes because when the auctioneer gets to bidding for the pen you are after, there is always a flurry of movement towards where you have been patiently waiting - it's like a herd of over- excited elephants bearing down on you - and you will always get some cack handed eejit who stands on your toes Shocked

(speaking from personal experience!).

cussing

shear_legend9 · Joined: 13 Aug 2008 Posts: 18