Quail_Antwerp: Words from the Barnyard...

[BeccaOH]

I flipped Big Blue over this morning and HE is a SHE! Well, no wonder "he" didn't want to mate with my girls

Oh, my goodness. Explains a lot.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Sold 3 bunnies at auction today, came home with 3 bunnies today.

There was a Netherland dwarf there, with his pedigree papers and his SHOW RIBBONS and NO ONE was bidding on him....I took him home for 50 cents pedigree, ribbons, and all.

Then I read the judges comments on his show papers that were included with the papers....apparantly the last show he was in he was disqualified for "bucking" his teeth?? (Gotta look that up). He has 2 first place ribbons, 2 second place ribbons, and 1 best of show......Here's the real kicker. The two times he won 1st place, he was the only contestant The times he won 2, there were only 2 and 3 contestants When he won BOB, he was the only one of his breed there!

So, I got a pedigreed Dwarf Netherland for 50 cents that probably isn't that great for showing.

Then my friend R gave me a pair of Lops today. Solid brown boy, I've named him Leo (ya'll should definitely know why!) and a white, brown, and blue patchy doe that I named Daisy.

 

[keljonma]

Sorry you are having such a rough go. How are the birds doing? Are you sure Lady Bird has dry fowl pox? I am not questioning your opinion; I guess it just sounds so strange to hear about The Ladies being so ill. I wish I could be there to help you with whatever it is you need to do.

Stay warm!

 

[keljonma]

Glad to hear everyone (including Lady Bird) is doing better, but sorry to hear about your Mille Fleur pullet.

Have fun at Nationals! We are having a gorgeous day!!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Well, like the title change says, Went to Ohio Nationals yesterday....would anyone believe me if I said I only brought home 2 birds?? :/ I also brought home a headache.

Woke up this morning and still have the headache, am sore, and out of sorts.

Lots to talk about with yesterday, but not sure where to start??

How about with what I didn't like? It was crowded and loud, and I didn't see anything "really special" as in a rare bird that I've never seen before (other than the Silver Laced Brahmas who were having their first ever public debut). By the end of the day (we didn't leave until 5 pm and we had arrived around I think 9:45 am) the aroma of chicken bedding, chicken poo, and people smells (not just BO but the mixing of colognes, purfumes, AND BO) were turning my stomach. My feet were killing me, and I just had this feeling of deep disappointment with the whole thing.

I had gone with the expectation of being "wowed" by these birds being shown. To be totally honest, some people were showing birds that I would have been embarrassed to bring in!

Traders Row was pure chaos, horrible to manuever through, and the aisles definitely were NOT wide enough for people to walk up and down. It was single file, and if someone was standing infront of a cage it was a bunch of "excuse me, I'm sorry, Oops, didn't mean to run you over with the stroller!" (I had to apologise TWICE for getting someone's foot with the baby's stroller! ) The upside to that was, everyone in Traders Row was understanding and polite, and no one seemed perturbed that we were bumping into eachother trying to see the birds in the sale cages.

There were NO barnvelders there at all! Becca really wanted to see some good barnvelders. We cornered a judge who was looking over some of the open class, and he told us that there were NO barnvelders there. THEN he said, "but they really are a minor breed". WHAT?! What does that mean when they say a breed is a minor breed?! I think this was a judge who doesn't possibly like barnvelders. He did give us tips on how to find the people who had entered certain birds incase we wanted to buy any in the show pens, but no way was I going to worry about going back today to pick up a show bird.

I took my camera, but I pretty much forgot to take pics with everything going on.

Ok, now for what I LIKED!

We did meet several BYC'er's, one being turtleblossom, who had brought me a GORGEOUS BLUE BLRW cockerel. He's roughly 6/7 months old, and he has virtually NO GOLD in his feathering, but that deep Maghogany coloring instead. HE'S GORGEOUS!! Nope, I didn't take pics yet, but I will later. He didn't even get inside the arena He went straight from her car to Becca's car.

Turtleblossom was soooooo sweet and super nice! We stood in the parking lot for a good 20 minutes or so, going over my new cockerel, and talking about fears of bringing home illnesses, was honest with her about what's going on with my bantam coop, and she was very understanding and full of tips and advice. She showed me how to listen to a chickens lungs for any signs of respiratory affliction (rales, wheezing, etc), and she showed me how to look at their feet, smell the noses (I did know that one!) and she told me, "Don't be afraid to thoroughly check any chickens out before you buy. If the seller gets upset, tough. You're protecting YOUR investment/your flock this way."

So we all walked in together, Turtleblossom, Becca, and I with my DD and baby. Walked in the WRONG door, and tried to get in the arena without passes Fixed that problem in a hurry!

Saw tabletop Serama judging! That was SO COOL!

Saw some HUGE Cochins! They made Polk look like a baby!!!

I handled so many birds I can't tell ya! I listened to lungs, smelled noses, checked out feathers and chicken butts for bugs, looked at feet...looked at eyes, held beaks shut to see if eyes bubbled...etc. etc. etc.

OH and we got to meet Dr. Peter Brown, THE CHICKEN DOCTOR!!! He was very helpful, and even gave my DD a free plastic chicken egg to use under her hens. It was cute. He was full of advice, and I don't know if I can remember it all...I should have been writing it down! When I first told him about my sicklike birds, he said cull, but when we talked more about symptoms and it not spreading, he was like, OK, then don't be too rash just yet. So then we talked about testing, and he said since I signed up for the NPIP testing to wait before I cull, have everyone tested for the NPIP plus MG/CRD/Coryza, and he said I should only cull the ones who test POSITIVE. That way, I'm not losing my whole flock, or I'm not culling someone who's just stressed and not actually sick with anything. He also told us to be careful on Trader's Row, because there was a lot of "crap" (he meant the birds themselves and possible illnesses) back there. He told us to hold the beak of any bird we're thinking of shut for as long as the bird will let us hold it, and see if the eyes bubble up. He said, "If that bird blows bubbles, put it right back where you got it!"

I also got to meet Pips&Peeps from BYC, she was at the Ameraucana table. SHE'S JUST AWESOME! She was so sweet, so kind and she was very helpful in pointing me to the direction of Ameraucan breeders in my quest to find a Bantam Ameraucana pullet. I did get to see a couple, but I wasn't impressed or satisfied with how they looked. I went back to the table and thanked Pips&Peeps, and she asked if I found any. I said yes, and I told her for how much, and she said that's a good price, but when I told her I just wasn't pleased with their quality she agreed that I made the right decision in not buying them. She said it was better than buying something I didn't like because then I'd get them home and not be happy with them. I was tempted by a lavender pair of Ameraucanas, and when I mentioned them to Pips&Peeps she said they (meaning the lavenders in general, not that specific pair) need a lot of work, so I declined to get those because I figured I should work on what I have now before I worry about adding a new breed/variety. So I left with no Ameraucanas.

We also met jessalynn from BYC and a couple other BYC'ers whos usernames I can't remember. I talked for a looong time with the gentleman who has developed the Silver Laced Brahmas. He's working on Blue Laced Red Brahmas, and I told him I was much more interested in those and to please put me at the top of the list for a pair when he's ready to release those to other breeders (to which he said I might be able to get a pair next year!!).

Now, on to the birds I saw that are on my NEW Must haves list, but first, let me say, ya'll know I LOVE bantams, and I have a SERIOUS addiction to Bantams! The bantam show birds just increased my hunger!

I fell in love with Bantam Black Sumatras!!!!!!!! The ones I saw were miniatures of my Jett and Suri, and were B E A U T I F U L! I did see LF Sumatras in the show pens, and from my own untrained eye, I felt that only one of the roosters were as beautiful as my Jett. I probably could have entered Jett and given the other Sumatras a run for their money. My Jett was my FIRST non-hatchery chicken. He came from a private Ohio Shower/breeder who was showing and winning with his Sumatras. Jett is the offspring of that guys Champion Sumatras.

DD loved the Frizzles that were in the show pens. We were not able to buy her a Frizzle pullet as she had hoped, because the Frizzles were all sold before we got there! We did get intouch with a bantam cochin breeder, who were showing the best of their best yesterday, who had some cochins in Traders Row. They sold us a 3 month old Black Cochin Pullet, and were honest with us about what they felt were her faults (mostly they felt her tail was too high). Since we're going to start DD with 4-H showing next year, before we let her do the big poultry shows, they gave DD tips about showing. They said never show anything less than 7 months old, and since DD's pullet will only be about 10-11 months old at our 4-H next year, they said she would show as a pullet. They said that would be really good for a first time experience, because that gives her a few months to come into her better feathers, and round out a bit more. I have to admit, this girl looks like a big ball of fluff to me! The woman we were getting her from talked with us, too about chicken health. She said they never medicate, but if they ever have a chicken show signs of illness, they kill it. (That's easier said than done, IMO!)

The guy I had purchased my Blue and Black d'Uccles from at Mt. Hope was also there. He had 2 pairs of Black d'Uccles and was trying to convince me to buy them all for $20. I'm proud to say, I WALKED AWAY!

Before we had found my DD's Cochin, she wanted a little pullet that was a barred cochin/blue cochin cross. I thought it was ugly, she thought it was beautiful....it was only $5....I smelled that things nose and handed her back to the guy in a hurry! SHE STUNK! (and I warned everyone I could about him and his birds!)

The other bantams I saw and fell in love with are Bantam Blue Laced Red Wyandottes!! I saw a pen that had several pullets/hen of this breed in the pen, but they had no rooster for the girls, so I avoided buying those by deciding to wait for next year and either order hatchery stock from Ideal (they have the bantam BLRW) or hatching eggs from a breeder (there are a few on BYC that sell these eggs).

And, Bantam Favorelles!!! I almost left with a pair for $30, $20 for the pullet and $10 for a cockerel, but as I was looking at the cockerels, Becca and I met a couple who breed Bantam Favorelles. They were giving me advice on what to look for as far as coloring, body shape, head shape, etc. THEY ARE HERE IN OHIO!! Their Bantam Black Salmon Favorelle pullet took the top prize out of all the Favorelles yesterday! They showed us to her, and she's gorgeous! I took their business card, and said I would wait until March of next year (that's when they have their show in Marietta) and see about getting a couple pairs from them then. Yes, I'll be paying more for a pair, but I also know what I'll be getting.

Now, here's the funniest/saddest/most embarrassing story of the day. There was a Bantam White Cochin breeder in Traders Row. His cochins were AWESOME! and they were $50 A PAIR! He only had one hen left, she was a year and a half old, and I had her in my hands. Checked her over, lungs, eyes, ears, nose clear, nice comb, etc. He said he had bred her and had many offspring for next years breeders at home. I was going to pay $25 for her, and he was going to let me pick the roo of my choice for $5! I could have had a pair for $30! AND I DID! I gave him my money, he put it in his pocket, and I walked up and down his cages looking at the roosters...and then I did the unthinkable........................
























I GAVE HIM HIS COCHIN BACK!!

I gave that beautiful white cochin girl back, and told him I was sorry, but that I just couldn't bring myself to buy such beautiful (and they were, they were breathtaking!) birds home to my coops, knowing they'd get muddy. I did take his business card, told him we're planning to build a new bantam coop with individual pens for my feather footed bantams so they won't be in mud, and that I'd contact him when I was ready for a pair. He was very understanding, but I felt horrible backing out of the buy like that. I felt like a heel.

So, I went and only spent $20. I'm proud of myself. I kept myself in check and only brought home 2 birds. Nice birds, too.

Becca and I had a good time, even though by the time we left we were quite tired. Becca did get a few birds, too, and I helped her check them over before she purchased, but I'll let her tell you about what she got. I will say, I didn't let a guy sell her a chicken that had a bad case of bumblefoot!

Oh, and can I just say, I LOVE HAND SANITIZER!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

OH, and I forgot to say we saw pen after pen of Black Langshans, and some of the ones in Trader Row didn't come close to the beauty of the ones in my back yard, but the ones in my back yard DEFINITELY rival the ones that were being shown!

Also, the turkeys being shown, a Royal Palm placed/won or whatever and was moved to the cages in the front of the show, where they put the winners. (I will admit, I didn't take the time to figure this part of the show out LOL). Maybe I'm just partial to my birds, or something, but I felt that my RP tom looked TEN TIMES better than the RP that won! And the Blue Slates that were being shown weren't as pretty as my Saphira!

But like I said, I'm just partial to my turkeys

OH and the other shocker for me while we were there: Only ONE seller was selling Quail Antwer d'Anvers. I thought about getting another pullet, since I have a pair and a trio here already, but 1: they were sold OUT in NO TIME and 2: They were selling for $25 each!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter sex, $25 EACH! That means I have $125 in chicken gold in my back yard right now!!

 

[Dace]

Wow Aly, that sounds like a very full day. No wonder you still have a headache!

I would love to go to a show like that, but I really know nothing about chickens except that love my little flock of 5 ......I am sure that I would be overwhelmed and not get nearly as much out of it as you did.

Did your DD have fun seeing all the birds?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

My DD did have fun, but she was absolutely obsessed with finding a frizzle cochin girl for her black frizzle cochin cockerel named Cackle. He's actually smooth feathered, but carries the frizzle gene. What she did learn yesterday is that you cannot breed a frizzle to a frizzle! You need to breed a frizzle cochin (or one the carries the frizzle gene) to a cochin, to get frizzle offspring! Breeding frizzle to frizzle is lethal, and the offspring of a frizzle to frizzle breeding die.

She was a little upset at one point when she thought she would be leaving without a chicken, as this was her last chance to get a girl for Cackle this year. She's really wanting spring babies. She was at the point that she was ready to settle for ANY chicken at all. I told her it was better to go home empty handed than to spend money on a chicken we had no plans for. She said OK, but then Becca found the Bantam cochins. We had to call the cell phone number on the cage, but the breeders were fast about meeting us and I was happy that my daughter was happy.

She named her new pullet Flicka, because Flicka means beautiful. She made sure she had told the breeder we purchased her from that she named her Flicka, too! It was cute. She had Flicka next to her in the back seat (in her carrier) the whole way home.

 

[freemotion]

After reading about all the handling of birds on Trader's Row, I got to wondering....you could check a bird carefully, and it could appear to be healthy, but.....someone could have handled a sick bird and not used hand sanitizer and handled the healthy bird, who is now infected and not yet showing symptoms. (How is that for a run-on sentence? ) Even with quarantining, it would make me quite nervous!

 

[Farmfresh]

I am envious!

I would have loved a day at the show like you had. You really learned a lot as well. Nice to have such helpful folks around you!

I am quite partial the the Cochins as well. That was a brave thing you did passing on those birds, but you did the right thing. When you get all set up then you can give him a call and get a breeding trio from him. Then I will be jealous!