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jojo2305

Buying chickens at auction.

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Any advice? I'm perfectly used to buying other livestock at auction, but not chooks. Our local auction centre has a big mixed livestock auction coming up which I will be attending anyway and they always have a large poultry section so I intend to purchase some girls there. Will hopefully have a 'chicken' person there with us to help choose, but I'm sure any expert comments would be appreciated!

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Look for happy, healthy hens, but basically it's just common sense stuff...

 

Make sure their eyes look alert and healthy

Make sure their wings haven't dropped

Make sure their leg scales aren't peeling away too much

Make sure their comb is nice, plump, red and healthy (if it is a really deep red, then it has reached POL and is in the process of laying)

Again make sure the wattles also appear healthy and redish

Make sure it is not limping when walking

Check that it isn't too light when you pick it up as it might not be eating

Check that the claws are not too long and that the feet are alligned correctly with the legs

Check that the top and bottom of the beak is alligned

 

You can generally tell a healthy bird as it will be constantly alert/looking around and it should have a proud look about itself, holding it's head up high, walking about with purpose etc.

 

Don't worry too much about feather loss, it could either be molting or it could have just been kept in close confinement with other chickens. They should grow back fairly quickly.

 

I hope this has given you enough to start you off?

 

Good luck at the auction! :wink:

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Be very careful won't you.

 

Often unscrupulous breeders use actions to offload sick, spent or infested hens.

 

You don't want to bring home anything that will make your existing hens ill.

 

Also you may find that sellers will only part with trios as they want to get rid of roosters.

 

Good luck.

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You don't want to bring home anything that will make your existing hens ill.

 

Very important point here!!

 

It is always recommended to quarantine any newcomers from your existing flock, in a completely separate area if possible for a few weeks.

 

I usually wait for about 1 month, just to be sure (any potential problem should have manifested itself) and during this time, keep them as far apart as possible...

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Thanks, some very good points raised. I go to this particular auction every time its on and stare longingly at the poultry section- I'm quite excited to finally be able to buy some ( and avoid taking home ducks aswell!!) ! Hopefully I'll have some experienced chicken people with me to help select! :D

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Look for happy, healthy hens, but basically it's just common sense stuff...

 

Make sure their eyes look alert and healthy

Make sure their wings haven't dropped

Make sure their leg scales aren't peeling away too much

Make sure their comb is nice, plump, red and healthy (if it is a really deep red, then it has reached POL and is in the process of laying)

Again make sure the wattles also appear healthy and redish

Make sure it is not limping when walking

Check that it isn't too light when you pick it up as it might not be eating

Check that the claws are not too long and that the feet are alligned correctly with the legs

Check that the top and bottom of the beak is alligned

 

You can generally tell a healthy bird as it will be constantly alert/looking around and it should have a proud look about itself, holding it's head up high, walking about with purpose etc.

 

Don't worry too much about feather loss, it could either be molting or it could have just been kept in close confinement with other chickens. They should grow back fairly quickly.

 

I hope this has given you enough to start you off?

 

Good luck at the auction! :wink:

 

Offspring, that is an excellent post. I hope you don't mind me using it for a sticky in this section as it may be useful to others.

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