Chicken Buyer Etiquette 101

[Brebis]

Yes, Bryce (Picton Farm Supply) sells those bags of shavings, $5.50/bag but I think he sells it cheaper if you get more than 10 bags at a time. He sells a variety of poultry from Millpond.

[scottishpet]

Brebis...awesome lead for me. I have not been in Picton Farm Supply. I am checking them out asap. :running-chicken:

[baronrenfrew]

agreed: the world is full of morons. old Chinese wisdom: a man that doesn't smile shouldn't open a shop (and if you are selling you are the shopkeeper) i am happy to answer questions (and there is no such thing as a "dumb" question: if ya don't know, ya don't know!) I am honest on what I sell, and I am disappointed (pissed) if I buy something and find I was shortchanged in some way. I am teed if people show up to buy something and have a small cardboard box instead of a proper animal carrier. If you say you'll show up; then show up or call if you can't or will be late.
again my I tip my hat to you Scottishpet for digging through all the old posts here and learning from our errors.

[Ontario Chick]

I am always happy to answer any questions about chickens, very happy when people start asking way before they start shopping, and actually if prospective chicken keepers don't ask enough questions, I worry and start asking questions myself.
More homework you do, less likely you are to run in to problems later.
From the tone of the "guy" you describe, and there is one in every crowd, his type tries to make money with chickens and figures the only thing standing in his way to a quick buck, are customers who aren't buying faster and more.

[modern17]

Lots of money in this chicken business .. problem is its usually going the wrong way...( was said by a very wise friend of mine from Tennessee) Once people figure out that its a hobby ( very few hobbies pay off exceptions are things like stamp collecting but not my cup of tea) ... enjoy the birds get a bit of money to offset the feed and electric bill.. write the rest off as entertainment value.. too many out there hustling the almighty $$... Just my take on those sorts.
TL

[BobG]

Lots of money in this chicken business .. problem is its usually going the wrong way...( was said by a very wise friend of mine from Tennessee) Once people figure out that its a hobby ( very few hobbies pay off exceptions are things like stamp collecting but not my cup of tea) ... enjoy the birds get a bit of money to offset the feed and electric bill.. write the rest off as entertainment value.. too many out there hustling the almighty $$... Just my take on those sorts.
TL

So true well said Troy wish more of us had the same thoughts.

[windwalkingwolf]

I don't sell birds anymore, but when I did, there were easy ways to tell between the people who were genuinely interested and the ones just testing the waters.
The first would start off by saying something like I'm building a coop and looking to fill it, followed by questions about bird size/space requirements/sexing questions, etc.
The time wasters' conversation will go something like this: Whereabouts are you? (even if location is listed, they don't want to Google), What city is that near? It's so far, will you take some ridiculously low amount? Will you deliver, or meet me in X city two hours away? And finally, a SURE way to realize someone's just kicking tires, is if after 2 or 3 questions, they END the conversation with "we'll be in touch when the coop's done". Breeding plans change, stock is bought and sold. A better way to end the conversation would be to say something like "Is it ok if I contact you in June (or whatever)?
Ending a conversation with "I have to ask my parents/significant other first" is guaranteed to annoy, because it's complete BS..if you wanted the birds, you would have already asked Mom/Wife/whatever when you saw the ad. It happens a lot, and it gets old. If the birds offered are not the right fit for you for whatever reasons, say exactly that, honesty is appreciated!
On the other hand, time is precious, and sellers can save some by giving reasonably detailed information as to location, gender, delivery options, and firmness of price in their ad. If they don't, well, they can expect to have to repeatedly answer a lot of questions, and tire-kickers will line up around the block asking for reduced price and free delivery.

[JimW]

Yes some sellers are idiots and some buyers are idiots and tire kickers and some of both are great. Myself personally have probably been all of those things one time or another. But asking questions is good, never stop asking questions.

scottishpet,

I am on most of the Facebook poultry sites and based on your location and the post you are talking about (that buyer list has been posted numerous times several places by different people) I think I might know who posted it. It if is the person I am thinking of I have dealt with him a couple of times and been to his place and I have had nothing but positive experiences. Feel free to pm me and I will confirm the person.

JimW

[Skinny rooster]

Scottishpet if you can contact someone on this site that is your best bet, these guys love their chickens and are not in it to turn a quick buck.

I don't see a problem since you were honest from the start. I don't mind someone asking questions when they told me they are not buying until later. I only have a problem when people lead me on. I can understand some people getting upset however, I have a lot less patients now and that's just because of a lot of bad experiences but I'm never rude, there are just people I won't do business with. If someone is pushy in trying to sell you birds, that is a huge red alarm, I would avoid them. You will find people with good stock have a much more independent style of selling birds, because they know their birds are good and have no intention of just giving them away. You will meet some really great chicken people but unfortunately you will also meet some really dishonest, hateful people, some make me think of a chicken breed mill like a puppy mill so be prepared for that. Good luck.

[MommaChick]

Tis the season for sellers to rant about buyers. Don't take it to heart and FB is the worst! I left all the FB Pages and my blood pressure is wondefful now. Even if you fimd a great breeder with wonderful pullets, anything can happen when you bring them home. Everything will be different for them. While doing your best and researching is great, try and take a step back and remember that they are chickens and chickens like to lull you into a false sense of security most times. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know and the further along I go the more I realize that all the planning in the world will only get you as far as the birds are willing to let you go. Have fun and try and surround yourself with happy and honest people. Good luck on your pullet search!