We got up early and we rounded up the 9 banties that we wanted to take to auction. We had made the decision that we didn’t really want to raise banties any longer. We like them, but they are so little, that we really worry about their safety around here. And we’re not that fond of banty eggs, because we get enough midget eggs from the pullets! So, we rounded up the gang and off we went!

We were a little sad to include Lucky with the bunch, but it didn’t make sense to keep him only, and separate him from his girls that he adored. So, we said farewell and it was okay. We knew that there would be a good new home for him. (And yes, he did get a great home by the looks of it!)

We left around 8:30 and got there at 9… and it was already busy! The chicken area was filling up fast! I don’t think I’ve ever seen all the cages filled up. And a lot of bunnies too! Lots of people there… it really was one of the first nice weekends and I think there were a lot of people with the same idea as us! It was crowded!
I wanted to bid on this cage of barred rock hens but the bidding got up over $6 a bird! So that was just too rich for my blood.
Went and wandered about all the stuff auctions, it was a bit cold and I just really didn’t see anything that I really wanted. Maggie found a few things inside the vendors and Jessy was busy checking out all the bunnies. There were some fuzzy bunnies, but it was hard to know if they were angora babies or it they were Jersey woolies? So it was best to just avoid them. We want to establish a pedigreed rabbitry and auction bunnies are just well, not quite the place to do that. Still, they were all really cute. We’re going at the end of the month to a rabbit show close to home and we are hoping they might have that French Angora girl we are dreaming about…. (gg)

In the waiting area for the bigger livestock auction area, there were a few full sized/grown goats but the real attraction was the gaggle of goatie babies that a fellow brought in. Must have been 15 or 20 of the little rascals… several different breeds represented. They were simply adorable and it was a good thing that I didn’t have any money left when we watched them get auctioned off after lunch. It was hard to resist their uber cuteness! But I’m really a sheep gal at heart and we already did and tried the goat thing without a lot of good luck for us. I would like to consider ONE small angora goat at some point to round out our fiber operation, but that has to be the right and perfect goat, so I’m not expecting that to happen any time soon. They are having a specialty goat auction towards the end of the month, and it is in conjunction with the rabbit show, so, well…. maybe if they had an angora, but I’m not holding my breath on that! Haha….
There was just one cow.. a little Holstien calf. And he looked very lonely. Poor thing. Made me want a cow real bad. But…. that’s for some other time!

We couldn’t find Jessy for awhile, and started to look until we found her in the chicken barn (big surprise!) and back where the bunnies were. She had fallen in love. With a little dwarf bun bun. So told me she really wanted her and so I put on my Auction Mom bidder hat and decided I would get her for her. She had some fun money and was ready to go as high as need be to rescue her little baby. So I got in a good spot and when they started it out, I bid high… $5. All the other small bunnies had been going for about 2 or 3 dollars at the most. I scared them all off and it was the only bid. I got her! Yeah!

Meet Velvet… spoiled teeny bunny of Windhaven! Already she has a special place in the office with Jessy. She’s an indoor bunny! Haha… and soon to be super duper spoiled. I was glad to see Jessy act a little well, impulsive! She is usually my kid that isn’t into too many silly things or just because things. She’s the responsible one of the bunch of us here. But she loves that little bunny and she carried her around at the auction tucked in her coat! And Velvet was very happy to do so. She’s a gentle and sweet little soul for sure. A match made in Hillsdale!
Saw this crazy little banty roo… he’s one of the fancy Mille Fleur banties that we were considering raising. I didn’t see what he went for, but I’m sure it was a good price.

Our banties all sold for a grand total of $29. Maggie was thrilled. She’s saving her egg and chicken money to help with her turkey empire plans. And to help buy some equipment for her wood working business. I’m glad that she’s into the whole thing. It’s fun stuff for sure.

We went to lunch in the town and then returned to watch the big stuff get auctioned off. It was still sort of slim pickings, just mostly the goat babies and the one calf. It will get more exciting as the weather warms up a bit more. I’d like to see it when there are more sheep and other animals there! Who knows what we might find to bid on! It was fun to watch the ring handlers deal with the crazy little goat youngins… that was worth the wait! Our neighbors came too and Miss Julia got a cage with some little parakeets in it! So sweet… she said they sang all the way home! I got some meat and a cheese cake from the grocery vendor and we had that ham for dinner and it was super good. Got a nice turkey breast, too. It was a fun day for sure. Really enjoyed ourselves!