Russian Orloff Reviews

Spangled Russian Orloffs

Posted 4/8/12

Pros: Great foragers, Alert, Active, Rare, Will go broody, Good mothers, Some strains excellent layers, Hardy in all temperature ranges

Cons: Hard to source good stock, most strains are not up to the old SOP, some strains are very inbreed, A bit small for dual purpose birds

Russian Orloff chickens are one of those breeds that captivates those of us who raise them. They are very alert and active, the hens are friendly and calm natured, the roosters are non human aggressive and look after the hens to a degree you seldom see in other breeds. Although most think they are from Russia, they most likely originated in the mid-east. I have seen news footage from Afghanistan and Turkey that showed some excellent stock running wild in the background. They were perfected, like many birds, by breeders in Germany and introduced in the 1800's to America by a Count Orloff, from whom they take their name. They were dropped from the Standard Of Perfection in the...

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Spangled Russian Orloff

Posted 1/13/12

By Rare Feathers Farm

Pros: Unique-looking, very hardy, lay well

Cons: Short production span, rare/shallow gene pool

There is a need to help these gorgeous & rare chickens. Some people are breeding mottleds and calling them spangled...others are working on different colors, too....but you have to build the barn before it's painted! Find a reputable breeder and breed towards the standard! Yes, I know there is no current APA Standard for these guys but there is an ABA Standard to work towards.

Orloffs

Posted 9/8/12

By jaj121159

Pros: Gentle, funny, unusual looking

Cons: Too gentle to mix with other breeds.

Love my Orloffs. I have had several go broody without any hatches. I have bought birds from Ideal and Welp hatcheries with good luck.

The Sweetest Little Chickens

Posted 7/3/12

By Darkjeweler

Pros: Sweet, Gentile, Loves Cuddles and Attention, Good Foragers

Cons: Hard to find, Can be abused by other more agressive birds.

I have 4 hens. These have to be the sweetest chickens I have had so far. If I am stationary for more than 60 secods, they run up my back and perch on my shoulder or head. If I am sitting down, it is a competition between them to see who can crawl into my lap first and get pet/cuddled. They have a great little happy chirp. They are very inquisative and easy to get along with. They don't start fights with other birds and are just nice. They don't grow as fast as some of the more common breeds. I would recommend these to anyone. Mine are not old enough to lay yet, so I can't speak to that. ...

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Bantam Russian Orloffs

Posted 4/8/12

By mrandmrschicken

Pros: Like the large fowl, winter hardy, good layers all year, non aggressive

Cons: Hard to find good balance on Spangled, or bantams period!

These curious birds are generally non-aggressive towards other breeds including the human variety! As chicks they will mother or protect smaller or larger chicks of other breeds if incubated and brooded. They will go broody and are good mothers as well as foragers and winter producers of brown eggs. The males can be protective but typically not aggressive with just one in the flock. Other than size, a difference between the LF and bantam is the ability to be shown as their own breed. They are in the ABA Standard, not in the APA Standard. My own flock consists of four white females and a crele male along with spangled....

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A Breed in Need

Posted 4/5/12

By Gresh

Pros: Hardy, active, larger size, capable defender, good winter layer, gamey looks

Cons: many strains aren't very broody, laying ability varies with lines, some American bloodlines have been doped with Sussex blood

Russian Orloffs are a great breed to keep. Their history dates back to the 1700s when they originated as a farm fowl in Persia. Since then, they have been bred with Malays and muffed fowl from Europe to produce the beautiful bird they are today. Russian Orloffs are quite rare in the United States due to breeding Sussex blood into the Spangled strains, thereby producing a mutt offspring instead of the real deal. The main sign of Sussex breeding in Orloff strains is white-colored legs. Purebred Orloffs have yellow legs. Orloffs are in need of preservation due to their rarity, and there has been a rising interest in this breed over the past few years. Orloffs are...

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Best birds I have ever owned

Posted 4/3/12

By KristyHall

Pros: Excellent foragers, great personalities, easy to handle, beautiful, consistent layers, good flavor

Cons: Their feed to weight ratio is not as good as some meat and dual purpose birds

I love there birds. They are resilient, healthy and intelligent. Even at night they are alert and hard to sneak up on. Their coloring allows them to hide easily from predators, and they are great foragers. My birds tear apart fire ant hills and eat the eggs and love to snatch up any muscadine that happens to fall to the ground. They are easy to train, easy to handle, and down right stunning birds. Of all the breeds I have had, these are by far my favorite!

Cool looking

Posted 1/11/12

By ReiMiraa

Pros: Good in winter

Cons: Flighty

My dad likes how this breed looks. I think it is interesting. It does well in our colder climate. The small comb and the beard help minimize frostbite. I plan to get more of this breed. Mine is more red with the speckles on it. It does talk alot, so it is not the best choice for urban coops. The hen has done well free ranging.

Rating Distribution

Member Reviews: Russian Orloff

Spangled Russian Orloffs

Spangled Russian Orloff

Orloffs

The Sweetest Little Chickens

Bantam Russian Orloffs

A Breed in Need

Best birds I have ever owned

Cool looking

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