I went to the auction Friday evening. I didnt have anything to sell so i got there and waited for them to start selling. There wasnt any of the merchandise that i was interested in so i waited about 2 hours while they sold it off. Then they got to the goats.
I have made a deal with myself that in order to get goats i must first prepare the pen and empty out the shelter and make it usable for goats to sleep in. I also need to set aside enough money to buy 2 or 3 pregnant nannies at once. Then i will keep them through birthing before i get a billy suitable for rebreeding them. After weaning i will sell the young billies and keep the nannies to fill out the herd. That will set me up for the next season.
They sold the goats that were there and started on the small animals. First up was a buff orpington trio that i would have loved to have for myself but the price went too high. I scored some good deals including 8 lavender orpington chicks and 12 buff orpington chicks. If you cant get the parents why not start with chicks? The chicks are on Chris's patio until they sprout their feathers and can deal with the temperature changes better.
I came away with 64 chickens and spent $180. I counted it up and i have $300 worth of chickens to sell.
I took the chickens to the flea market yesterday and today. Didnt sell any yesterday but met two people who said they would come and buy from me as soon as their coop was built. Today i sold a silky rooster and 2 andelusion hens. First thing i did was buy an italian ice from Tanner, pina colada and chocolate! I felt so good about being able to support him in his business again because he has been so helpful to me.
Once i got home from the market the task was to find good places for everyone. The older birds went into the coop and i set up a chick condo for the younger, smaller birds.
Next market is Saturday May 4th at the Farm Swap.