English Silver Laced Orpingtons

[tiga70]

Hello Herons Nest Farm, it is very sad that your silver laced died. Here in Germany we can buy food which contains a medicament against cocci. Do you have such food in the USA too?
I am really looking forward to your pictures. My younger chicks are from three different lines so I can breed from different lines next year.

 

[tiga70]

Please, I would love to see more pictures of your silver laced Orpingtons

 

[RginaC]

I am a first timer. I would love some input on the sex of my 3 SL orpingtons. Thanks!

 

[tiga70]

Three beautiful cockerels I think. Does one of the cockerels have yellow legs?

 

[RginaC]

Yes he does- he will not be used in my flock because of it. He will be culled-- I have been disappointed about that, but have heard it sometimes happens. I was hoping to have at least one hen...oh well - I guess I'll be looking to buy a couple of hens again!

 

[mitchellhatchery]

This should never happen this is what we're taking on this project you spent hard earned money on something you can't use .stay away from the breeders I have a very strong idea where these came from and who bred them to have this . May I ask where did these come from?

 

[OnlyOrps]

Wow yellow legs? That's odd... seems like maybe they're from a project and not imported? Or do import birds show up with this? I would suggest you buy hens from @rockinpaints because I've bought isabels, mottleds and chocolates from her and she's immaculate in her procedures. The birds have always been on time, in great health and I haven't even gotten a feathered leg on any of them. She's great with follow up advice and care, she really loves the birds even after she sells them. I bet her silvers all have proper colored legs

 

[rockinpaints]

This should never happen this is what we're taking on this project you spent hard earned money on something you can't use .stay away from the breeders I have a very strong idea where these came from and who bred them to have this . May I ask where did these come from?

Yes that can happen even in other imported birds. It is not desirable and should not be used for breeding, however it is not the fault of the person who imported them. The idea of creating a new color is because it is not available in that breed. Sometimes it is imperative to use a bird from another breed to get the desirable color, thus some feather shanks- probably from breeders in the UK using Cochins for the partridge gene or red, the two varieties with the most feathered shanks, and some yellow skin, depending on what was used for the gene.

Unfortunately with inbreeding, as is the case with a lot of the birds that are imported, it will double up on a particular gene and bring out "hiding flaws" like yellow legs. Why is it being seen in more of Byces birds, probably because right now he is producing the most SL chicks.

It happens, cull them, or just don't use them for breeding

 

[OnlyOrps]

Yes that can happen even in other imported birds.  It is not desirable and should not be used for breeding, however it is not the fault of the person who imported them.   The idea of creating a new color is because it is not available in that breed.  Sometimes it is imperative to use a bird from another breed to get the desirable color, thus some feather shanks- probably from breeders in the UK using Cochins for the partridge gene or red, the two varieties with the most feathered shanks, and some yellow skin, depending on what was used for the gene.

Unfortunately with inbreeding, as is the case with a lot of the birds that are imported, it will double up on a particular gene and bring out "hiding flaws" like yellow legs.  Why is it being seen in more of Byces birds, probably because right now he is producing the most SL chicks.

It happens, cull them, or just don't use them for breeding

ah! Well there you have it! I didn't know yellow legs were a trait of the silver laced. Learn something new every day. I guess we are all a part of the same mission to work towards the common goal of proper orps! Thanks for the info Nellie!

 

[rockinpaints]

As far as I know all silver laced breeds except Orpingtons have yellow legs. Thus making it difficult to introduce the gene without also introducing certain disqualifications or faults to the Orpington breed, needing generations of breeding and culling to eliminate the excess baggage like yellow legs or leg feathers. And still it will occasionally raise it's ugly head. I have seen yellow legs even in Buff Orps years before people began to import (not mine). The bottom line is that they need to be culled whether that be putting them in an egg laying pen, pet home or eating them.

I know it is not easy to cull birds when you pay so much for them

Unfortunately it is not always evident as youngsters that the legs will be yellow. A lot of Orps hatch with yellowish legs but turn pink. I have also seen white legs turn yellow as they mature. And I have seen chicks with clean legs get some stubbles or a feather between toes by the time they mature. So a breeder is not always able to avoid sending chicks that might have faults, nor do they always end up with the perfect bird when they import. It is best to avoid inbreeding as much as possible to avoid doubling up on undesirable genes.

If you know what all is in your line sometimes inbreeding or line breeding will bring out some really good qualities but many time traits pop up that you never even knew was there............

Good luck with the Silver Lace Orps, they are beautiful!