Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE - Page 455

Beth G. :

Hi,

I find my Orps are very late egg laying bloomers Most of my girls born after April do not lay until Early Spring the next year. Mine are very big bodies and I think they put of their energy into growing into their frames. My Biggest girls usually don't lay for me till close to a year old. But, I'm not fond of putting lights in coops. I feel when you force a young one into laying too early you put stress on the reproductive organs forcing them to maturity faster and I've never had good experiences with that with Pullets in their first year pre-lay cycle. I've seen an increase in birds becoming egg bound and ovary passing from forcing birds into maturity too fast. But, that's just an opinion I am not an expert at all. I just go with my experience and gut.

I bet before you know it you will see eggs just when you've given up on looking for them to lay    That always seems to be the way with me.  I clean my nest boxes out every weekend and tend to not look at the young ones nest boxes at all unless I know someone is laying. A couple of times I went a week later and had a nest full of eggs   Yes a waste but, that just seems my luck

Quote:

Originally Posted by marquisella 

I know this thread is for pictures, but am I expecting too much for my 7 month old pullets to start laying ? What is the norm for Orpingtons, these are my first?

Wow, I had to edit all my horrible typing errors    I think it's time to hit the hay

My new black/split guy is so sweet. Orp roos have to be one of my favorites- right up there with LF cochins and Ameraucanas. I've been wanting a black roo for so long. Yay!

  http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/28521_newlavsbirds_026.jpg

I have a question about photographing lavenders. I like the look of the lav against green grass, but they always look so washed out when they are outside. Is there a certain time of day, or in the shade? What shows thier color best?

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/28521_newlavsbirds_021.jpg

See? She's not really that light. Have the same problem with pics of my sebastopols- they almost glow and you can't see the detail of the feathers.

Here's our little BO chick!

http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/108378_rscn1101.jpg

No- lavender dilutes red so leakage would appear more of a pale gold. They just appear a bit sun washed though- instead of getting brassy like blues do the roosters get a buttery color on the old feathers.
I like all 3, but the last I am just guessing is the least dominant? He seems the most narrow in body, but Orps can take so long to fully mature. Still- I would keep 1 & 2 just because you already know they'll be nice and round.

I don't know why- but only the shiny roo feathers seem to be effected by the sun in that way. I have seen blue hens get dull/brown feathers, but not as badly as blue roos. And white birds- only the roos getting yellowing.  Its probably a texture thing.  Like Renie said, there is probably a bit more to it.

If #1 had leakage before the sun (in juvenile feathering) then you should take him out of the breeding program as well. If your roos are clear, and you end up with offspring showing gold, then it may be one or more of your hens carrying it.