Things You'll Need:
- Eyes
- Ears
- Livestock Auction
- Swap meet
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Step 1
You have to know how to tell the difference between a rooster and hen. 1. Roosters Crow, Hens Don't 2. Roosters have spurs Hens Don't 3. Young Cockerel and Pullets often look the same, inspect the legs of the bird do you see a little nub that might be a spur, if so it might be a rooster. Hens often have a lack of feather on their backs from breeding, this is often a sign of an older hen but it is also a way to tell that the bird is actually a hen
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Step 2
Inspect the birds breast. The breast should feel meaty and bulky, just think if you were at the grocery store looking at chicken breast. If you don't think the breast would be good enough to eat, even if you are not attending on eating the chicken then pass. If you feel sharp breast bone and a lack of meat then pass
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Step 3
Check the vent. The vent should be warm and moist looking. There should be no signs of mites and lice look for grains of salt and pepper that move. IF the seller says it is a hen that is in lay, ask your self could an egg pass through that vent when you are looking at it. If your gut tells you that eggs are not passing through that, then you are probably right.
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Step 4
Inspect the head. Are the eyes in good shape, both open, both clear? If the answer is eye then the eyes are good. If one eye is shut or crusted or the eye is clouded over then pass on that bird. The beak should be in good shape. The beak should close evenly and not be crooked. Some sellers debeak their birds to prevent pecking, if the top 1/2 of the beak is missing the bird is fine it was debeaked.
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Step 5
Check under the wings. Look again for any thing that looks like grains of salt and pepper. If the bird doesn't have any signs of lice or mites it may be a good bird to bid on
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Step 6
Check the legs and feet. Nails should be uniform and not over grown. Legs should be the correct color for the breed and the legs should be smooth. Any raised dried looking scales should be avoided. Look under the feed for signs of bumble foot, a sore with hard white puss. The bird will often be favoring that food, avoid birds that don't put pressure on both feet.
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Step 7
Watch the bird in it's pen. Does the bird look bright and cheerful or does the bird look down in the dumps. Does the bird hold its wings as it should or are the droopy. Any bird that looks sick or lethargic should be avoided
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Step 8
Making your bid at the auction. Get their before the birds do. Find out as much about the birds as you can from the person dropping them off. If you don't get a good vibe from the seller then don't buy. It is also in your advantage to know who dropped them off, because they will often shrill bid to run of the price. It is also good to interview the people who are dropping them off and listen to the auctioneer. Are the auctioneers statements when selling the same as you heard from the sellers? Watch the auction and see if the auctioneer isn't running up the price by accepting fake bids. Make sure you get a buyers number and pay your bill at an auction, most livestock auctions are quick to kick anyone out who will play games
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Step 9
At the swap meet. I advise going to 1 or 2 swap meets religiously and get to know the regular sellers before you buy anything. Avoid fly by night sellers or one time these are the ones who will get you. Auctions are as is where is just because of the type of sale it is. If you get a receipt from a swap meet merchant and the bird dies before you get home you may have a claim. If the swap merchant sells you a bunch of hens and they all start crowing a week later you may want to have their number to call and resolve the issue
