*Buff Orpington Thread!* - Page 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButchGood 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judges4 

We have one multi-breed coop that I'm thinking of clearing out so I can keep just one breed. We'd want friendly hens and roo (Bob, the Sussex roo is a sweetheart) as well as good laying for eating and hatching eggs. It's been suggested that Buff Orps would be good. Do you think they'd fit the bill, and would the personality vary with the color? I kinda like the look of the lavender orps.

 

I love my Orps, But if your looking for a one breed hen house full of chickens that are friendly, curious, personable birds that live to lay eggs, I'd go Australorp. They  have some Orpington in them and they hold the world record for eggs in a year at 364. Right now My coop is a 50 50 mix of Buff Orps and Astralorps. I am going to cross breed them and go with them for a while.

Judges4,

The "record" 364 ButchGood speaks of was in Australia a decade ago. It was a battery layer in a laying contest. Any breed will perform the same in the same conditions.

For a backyard, dual purpose flock, any of the Orpingtons, Australorp, Wyandottes, Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island etc will fit the need. 

I always suggest our youth and 4H start with the BYC Breeds pages or Ideal Poultry Farms as a tool to research photos/prints of breeds and descriptions. Find the body type you want. Then choose a color. 

Once you have decided on a variety and breed, then decide if you want hatchery stock or from a breeder. The breeder should have birds bred to the Standard of Perfection. Hatchery stock will usually be a bit smaller than those bred to the SOP. They will be "purebred and represent the breed and variety; however, we do not guarrentee or represent they are of show quality" their site states. 

Below is a great example of the 3 types of American Orpingtons. Hatchery, Bantam and Standard of Perfection. The Standard calls for Males 10# and Hens 8#. Hatchery stock will average Males 8# and Hens 6#. Bantam Orpingtons are Males 38oz and Hens 34oz.

Hatchery stock will serve a backyard fine. Its not really saving a rare breed, but will resemble the breed enough to make a backyard flock owner happy. Breeder stock is the true to Standard and will help preserve the breed.

Rock Home Isle,

Where did you get these from? For juveniles they have a nice color and type. That one photo looks like 2 cockerels and 3 pullets. 

Our Orpington juveniles come running when we approach. They think we are coming to feed. If birds will not eat out of your hand, then have dumplins and start over with birds that will!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock Home Isle 

I have been away from the poultry fold for a long time. I got a few Buff Orpingtons back in April.

 

 

The Orpingtons are just as I expected, they have been a wonderful breed to work with and enjoy

 

 

Its has been a great experience watching them grow and change.

 

 

I couldn't have chosen a better breed as a stepping stone to get back into poultry.

 

Here is my only Buff Orpington, a pullet named Doodle.

The docile Orpington! I love this breed.  We bought four of them as baby chicks.  Truth is we ended up with three cockerels and one pullet.  HaHa.  

They are all about 3 months of age now. I have two males needing a new home. 

Here is Sunshine, He's the most gentle and whenever I sit in their run, well here you can tell what happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HallFamilyFarm 

Rock Home Isle,

 

Where did you get these from? For juveniles they have a nice color and type. That one photo looks like 2 cockerels and 3 pullets. 

 

Our Orpington juveniles come running when we approach. They think we are coming to feed. If birds will not eat out of your hand, then have dumplins and start over with birds that will!

They are hatchery birds, I'm sure. We got them on April 6th, along with 2 ducks, at a local feed store in Loveland. I'm pretty sure that I have a cockerel, he started trying to crow the other day. His days are now numbered as we're not allowed to possess roosters inside the city limits. I suspect that there maybe another cockerel hidden in the flock.

Last night I went out onto the deck to watch the flock march in the run as the sun set on the horizon....they were all lined up and in the process of heading in the run when I looked over the edge. They saw me and promptly headed back out into the yard....I guessing they were waiting for me to come down with a treat. I'll have to be a little more subtle.

They come running out to great me every morning when I open the run to let them out for the day. Its hard sometimes to get yard work done as they tend to get under feet, so I usually wind up locking them in the run until I'm done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HallFamilyFarm 

 

Judges4,

 

The "record" 364 ButchGood speaks of was in Australia a decade ago. It was a battery layer in a laying contest. Any breed will perform the same in the same conditions.

Then why isn't there any I wonder?

During that time period there were lots of egg laying competitions. They are recorded in the old poultry journals. The hatcheries have used the Australorp record to increase sales of chicks for decades. Most backyard flocks will never reach any records since most will not use the battery cages, lighting and forced feeding.

I do like the Australorp, just prefer its "cousin" the Orpington better! Several friends have Australorps. They are a beautiful breed. However, no one has seen such egg laying ability in the Australorp since that record was set.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HallFamilyFarm 

During that time period there were lots of egg laying competitions. They are recorded in the old poultry journals. The hatcheries have used the Australorp record to increase sales of chicks for decades. Most backyard flocks will never reach any records since most will not use the battery cages, lighting and forced feeding.

 

I do like the Australorp, just prefer its "cousin" the Orpington better! Several friends have Australorps. They are a beautiful breed. However, no one has seen such egg laying ability in the Australorp since that record was set.

Interesting! Like my dad always said, It's not worth getting up in the morning if you don't learn anything.

My broody BO :D!

This hen looks very aggravated by your presence! Bet she would draw blood if you got any closer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnn 

My broody BO :D!