I love outdoor markets, flea markets, farmers markets – anyplace where locals trade or sell their wares. It’s like a treasure hunt every time.
This weekend I went to the Ripley First Monday Trade Days flea market. That’s a mouthful so most people just call it “First Monday” – which is misleading because it starts Saturday. lol Either way, it’s a very large market that started in 1893 – that’s right – 1893. Pretty cool.
I had plans to buy a couple poults (baby turkeys) and maybe a chick or two. I took one small pet carrier and a little cash to discourage impulse buys.
I pulled in just after 8 AM and there were already a lot of people everywhere. It was an incredibly beautiful morning. It was chilly for a Mississippi August day and felt like early fall.
These markets remind me a bit of carnivals – they can be dusty in areas and the air is thick with smells from all sorts of cooking foods awaiting crowds. I walked past a booth with legit tacos and felt my stomach churn. Food would have to wait, I was on a mission to get my babies before I could relax. Unless you contact a vendor to hold something for you a lot of “the good stuff” can sell quickly.
I walked past all sorts of booths ranging from cast iron cookware to antique weapons and lots of cheap crap including stinky candles and a booth with nothing but socks.
After walking around for fifteen minutes I found the vendor I had spoken to the night before. He was holding a few Cochin chicks for me. The little buff Cochins were adorable. I paid the man and collected my new baby puffballs. He was the only vendor with large fowl Cochins and I had bought all he had. Walking around several people offered to buy them from me.
I love seeing vendors who care for their animals. It’s a pleasure to hold clean happy animals. They have shade, food, water and the best vendors make sure their animals have bedding and aren’t just standing on wire.
Then there are the vendors who cram too many animals into crates and don’t provide shade, food or water. One vendor actually tried to sell newborn piglets as mini pigs. This really pisses me off. These tiny babies, some no bigger than my hand, were shivering in the cool air and very scared.
At least these babies had bedding to stand on. The other animals the vendor had – tons of chickens, goats, geese – most of them were standing in shit and in cramped conditions. I wanted to rescue these babies but that’s a double edged sword. I don’t want to encourage the practice of taking babies from their mothers well before they should be. On the other hand, knowing most of these babies will go to homes that only want a cute little micro pig only to have them end up in shelters is a trigger for me. This time the choice was out of my hands, I didn’t have cash on me for their asking price.
I continued walking around looking for poults and found lots of puppies, chickens, goats, and exotic animals all in varying states of care.
Finally I found a couple women who had poults. They had water, food and shade for their animals and the animals seemed healthy. I quickly glanced at the poults and asked their price. The small ones were $3 each. Just as I told her I wanted two I noticed other babies she had for sale and became distracted by them. The lady put two poults into my carrier while I was preoccupied loving on her other chicks. I paid, thanked the lady and left.
As I left their booth a pretty woman walked in carrying a clipboard and an official looking badge. She was there to make sure all the animals were being cared for properly. I took my chance to let her know about other booths where animals were sitting in the sun without water. She said she would be visiting every animal vendor to make them comply. Satisfied with my tattling, I left.
All the babies in my carrier were calmly laying on their cushy bedding. Everyone seemed fine and healthy.
Once I was home I readied their quarantine crates. I keep new animals separated until I feel sure they are healthy. I inspected each baby and everyone seemed very healthy – until the last one – one of the small poults.
This little baby was deformed but otherwise seemed healthy. It could walk and move well but it’s neck was stunted and it was hunchbacked. At first I was pissed at myself and the vendor. Usually I pick the animals I want that look healthy and fit. She took advantage of my preoccupation with her other animals. Ugh. It was my fault.
After a few minutes helping the new baby drink fresh water I realized I’m probably the best chance this baby has. Maybe it was meant to come here. The other poult is sweet to him and often they can be mean to others who aren’t thriving. I decided to name him Roger. If he’s half as loving as Rupert was he’ll be a welcome addition to the farm.
It’s been two days and so far and Roger is doing well. He’s eating and drinking on his own and is active. I don’t think his condition is life threatening and doesn’t seem to hurt his quality of life. We’ll see how he does.
It was a rookie move to not select my own babies. Learn from my mistake and always keep your attention on the task at hand. There are good and bad vendors everywhere. More on Roger later. xo