Anyone ever been to one of these?
We actually went to one last weekend-it's my 3rd one. I know some on here are into exotics so I thought I'd post about it. They run a TON of llamas and alpacas through first, then bison-which are usually pretty irritated to be there. This year there were also a couple of camels-a bottle fed yearling and a HUGE male that die not want to leave after being sold. It took 6 guys to get him out. There were some young emus and rheas that came through that I had to practically sit on my hands to avoid bidding on. They then went on to the warm room animals--everything from foxes to birds to chinchillas. I was rather annoyed to see 16 week old timber wolf/malamute pups though-not only due to the breeding, but they were past their major socialization period by then, which certainly isn't doing them any favors. I did end up picking up a 4 month old "purebred American" guinea pig for a teacher friend for her for classroom for $5. Then they had some ZONKEYS for sale--they went for $1000 a piece. I tried to convince Nate that everyone needs a zonkey, but he wasn't buying it. They ended it with a bunch of fallow deer, and donkeys and mini horses.
I am honestly torn about these sales. On the one hand, I do enjoy them. I got Yoda from one that was in October and he has been an absolute delight, I don't regret getting him for a second. On the other hand, I really have to wonder how prepared people are.for some of the critters they are buying there. The rodents, birds, chinchillas, and hedgehogs are one thing-they are at least common enough pets that there is a lot of info out there about them. But there are also lemurs, armadillos, fox, kudamundi, alligators, and sloths that are sold there. I suppose some of them goes to private zoos, I have had people around me in the bleachers buy some of those things that appear to be just average pet owners.
I did see the guy who bought the lemurs after the sale and asked him what one does with a breeding pair of lemurs (I was friendly about it-I was really curious). He said that he wasn't really sure, but he already has two monkeys that are thriving so he would figure it out.
The guinea pig, BTW, is doing fine in her new home. Her name is now Josie and she is a red/chestnut color.
We actually went to one last weekend-it's my 3rd one. I know some on here are into exotics so I thought I'd post about it. They run a TON of llamas and alpacas through first, then bison-which are usually pretty irritated to be there. This year there were also a couple of camels-a bottle fed yearling and a HUGE male that die not want to leave after being sold. It took 6 guys to get him out. There were some young emus and rheas that came through that I had to practically sit on my hands to avoid bidding on. They then went on to the warm room animals--everything from foxes to birds to chinchillas. I was rather annoyed to see 16 week old timber wolf/malamute pups though-not only due to the breeding, but they were past their major socialization period by then, which certainly isn't doing them any favors. I did end up picking up a 4 month old "purebred American" guinea pig for a teacher friend for her for classroom for $5. Then they had some ZONKEYS for sale--they went for $1000 a piece. I tried to convince Nate that everyone needs a zonkey, but he wasn't buying it. They ended it with a bunch of fallow deer, and donkeys and mini horses.
I am honestly torn about these sales. On the one hand, I do enjoy them. I got Yoda from one that was in October and he has been an absolute delight, I don't regret getting him for a second. On the other hand, I really have to wonder how prepared people are.for some of the critters they are buying there. The rodents, birds, chinchillas, and hedgehogs are one thing-they are at least common enough pets that there is a lot of info out there about them. But there are also lemurs, armadillos, fox, kudamundi, alligators, and sloths that are sold there. I suppose some of them goes to private zoos, I have had people around me in the bleachers buy some of those things that appear to be just average pet owners.
I did see the guy who bought the lemurs after the sale and asked him what one does with a breeding pair of lemurs (I was friendly about it-I was really curious). He said that he wasn't really sure, but he already has two monkeys that are thriving so he would figure it out.
The guinea pig, BTW, is doing fine in her new home. Her name is now Josie and she is a red/chestnut color.