Last Sunday we set our alarm for early so we could get to the Central Coast Poultry and Bird Auction at Tuggerah. While no more than an hour and a half drive away, we wanted to make certain we made the time to inspect the hens before the bidding began.
J and I had made a list of the chooks we were looking for. I am a fan of the silver-laced Wyandottes and the Sussex hens. I love the contrasting feathers. J, on the other hand, loves the Barnevelder hens which could have something to do with his Dutch heritage. I heard through the organiser of the auction that a reputable Wyandotte breeder would be bringing his flock to the auction.
Well it was quite a scene. I'd forgotten how interesting auctions can be: the pace, the tactics, the yelling from the auctioneer and all the while to the soundtrack of chickens squawking and roosters crowing.
There were about 50 birds auctioned and over 300 lots (up to 10 chooks in a lot) of chooks: chicks, hens and roosters. We saw roosters sold for as little as a dollar and some of the most beautiful hens fetched over $150 each. Many of the hens were breeding hens.
We brought home three girls. Isla is a silver-laced Wyandotte.
Miele (Italian for honey) is a gold-laced Wyandotte. She's not too dissimilar to a Barnevelder.
Anni is a Sussex hen. She's still a pullet so has a bit of growing to do which will do away with what's left of her scrawniness.
The girls are settling in OK. They are getting cuddles from us but the Rhode Island Reds are a little put out. It's true what they say about sorting out the pecking order.
Hopefully these girls can keep up with our demand for eggs!
J and I had made a list of the chooks we were looking for. I am a fan of the silver-laced Wyandottes and the Sussex hens. I love the contrasting feathers. J, on the other hand, loves the Barnevelder hens which could have something to do with his Dutch heritage. I heard through the organiser of the auction that a reputable Wyandotte breeder would be bringing his flock to the auction.
Well it was quite a scene. I'd forgotten how interesting auctions can be: the pace, the tactics, the yelling from the auctioneer and all the while to the soundtrack of chickens squawking and roosters crowing.
There were about 50 birds auctioned and over 300 lots (up to 10 chooks in a lot) of chooks: chicks, hens and roosters. We saw roosters sold for as little as a dollar and some of the most beautiful hens fetched over $150 each. Many of the hens were breeding hens.
We brought home three girls. Isla is a silver-laced Wyandotte.
Miele (Italian for honey) is a gold-laced Wyandotte. She's not too dissimilar to a Barnevelder.
Anni is a Sussex hen. She's still a pullet so has a bit of growing to do which will do away with what's left of her scrawniness.
The girls are settling in OK. They are getting cuddles from us but the Rhode Island Reds are a little put out. It's true what they say about sorting out the pecking order.
Hopefully these girls can keep up with our demand for eggs!
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