Today we went to our first ever poultry market.
I am delighted to announce that egg sales are going well on my honesty table! Some days I am selling 1.5 doz eggs – I am not going to be rich, but as I keep telling the dogs…. the hens are now paying for their weekly feed bill!
We have 13 hens – averaging out at about 9 or 10 eggs a day – and one rather magnificent Austrolorp Rooster who definitely rules the roost.
A selection of our feathered friends
We got our first hens about 3 years ago, just regular old hybrids. Last year we bought some Austrolorps and one Light Sussex. And we also got a present of some Cuckoo Marans.
I had heard many times that the poultry market in Portlaoise on a Sunday was a good place to go to get the biggest variety of birds. The market isn’t held every week, but I had been forewarned that there would be a market today, so it’s been in the calendar for weeks.
So rather than a lazy Sunday lie-in, it was up early, feed the various mouths that need feeding and get on the road.
First thing we were surprised by was that there was a charge to attend. I know, I know, it was only €3.00 per person…. but…. do the organisers not think about this? Charging into shows where people are expected to buy has always been a bugbear … in our past life we did so many shows. If you charge people in you diminish their spending power once they are inside! Simple! I know money has to be made, but I am sure the traders had to pay for their spot.
Second point, some of the birds to our ‘untrained’ eye did not look at all healthy.
And worst of all, the market was not just confined to poultry.
There were folks there selling goats, rabbits, ferrets and dogs – and this is where it got to me. There was one poor Beagle cross there that looked so unhappy, unkempt and was holding one paw awkwardly.
Do RSPCA inspectors not attend these fairs?
I am not suggesting that all traders were rogues, but I just felt some of the birds and animals I saw had not been treated the best.
We did meet a nice lady from West Limerick and bought four Rhode Island Reds who are now settling in nicely.
The new girls
We still need to get some ‘table’ birds and some ducks so would love to hear of other poultry markets. Do you know of any?
A Year In Redwood 
Surely you mean the ISPCA? I’ve always very dubious personally about visiting such fairs and tend not to for various reasons but firstly as you so rightly point out charging in is bad form as far as I’m concerned and secondly and more importantly the condition of the animals whether fowl or otherwise always saddens me
Hey Ena, you are absolutely right…. it should be ISPCA. See you should never write things when you are still angry!
Margaret,
Ron goes to these once a month. There is a great one in Limerick (I will text details when it is on) and we could meet ye over there and then go for lunch? I like going too but we rarely go to the ‘pay to get in’ ones … what a crock!
Look for Le Bresse table birds (we have some and can give you eggs if you have a broody hen) and the Australorp boys make the tastiest table birds so far.
And yes – sadly some of the poultry fairs have showcased animals kept in poor conditions – your ‘untrained’ eye is catching it all right and proper. We have reported a few Margaret. The RSPCA do not attend as most of them are ‘hobbyists’ so no rules and regulations at all.
Can’t wait for the gathering!
Mona, that sounds like a plan! The lady we bought from was from Co. Limerick and seemed to be really nice.
Completely agree about charging a fee in where you are expected to spend money as well! The celtic tiger died years ago.
It’s becoming more and more apparent to me how people treat animals as commodities. Another indication of how little respect some have for themselves…..
Agree with you wholeheartedly Caitriona. Even at this stage of my life I am always stunned at how badly people can treat animals…. as you say no respect for any life.
Oh no, I hate seeing animals not kept well – hadn’t heard of that market. Keep meaning to get some hens too, maybe when there’s a shed free when the calves are out at grass! Had 18 hens a few years ago, got them from a guy who had 1000 free range hens and was selling them over – I was nearly overrun with eggs for the first 6 months 🙂
Lorna, there is nothing quite as nice as having your own eggs. Do commandeer the shed when the calving is over!
We’ve always bought from private guys before. This was our first time to go to a ‘market’ as such.
M