Are there any other colors of Orps that one can breed Buffs to?

[Jubilee1111]

Are there any other colors of Orps that one can breed Buffs to? I want some variety and genetic diversity.

I got 2 Lemon Cuckoo Orp roosters as babies and I am really not digging the temperament or social behavior they are showing. They are thugs, one attacks kids and guests and the other one is just a weirdo with no rump and hangs around the waterers so he can grab hens when they come to drink. Both are like sneaky little rapist lying in wait all the time. They have both torn combs on several of my girls and chase them constantly. They even try to drag them out of their nests while they are laying eggs and it's seriously messing with their production and it quite frankly really pi$$es me off. Poor 'ol Wooster, my BO rooster, is trying his best to keep the peace but he has a lot of territory and hens to watch over.

Additionally, my one LCO hen finally started laying and while she is beautiful and huge, she started laying late and is laying mostly shell-less eggs.

So, yeah, I am pretty much disillusioned and done with the LCOs.

Any other options?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Jubilee1111]

No suggestions?

 

[J-Sanders]

Be patient, we work on chicken time around here. I am sure you will get some good suggestions and a couple of great ones. Mine will probably not be in either camp.

You say you want some diversity but you don't say what traits you want to keep. It will help with your suggestions.

If it were me and it aint, I would go with a quality show breeder of heritage Buff Orpington and get a Roo and four hens and then start your breed and cull process.

Jim

 

[Tuffoldhen]

No, not without getting mutt looking chickens. Buffs are a pure breed just like other colors of Orps. If you want an orp that will not meet a standard of the breed go for it. Takes time and work!

 

[Jubilee1111]

Thank you so much for the feedback. It's just what I needed to hear.

I show and work my dogs and firmly adhere to the concept of improving a breed with one's breeding choices- whether that be dogs or chickens.

I'm on my 3rd generation of carefully selected BO's and it does seem silly to lose the momentum gained there. I've been choosing for temperament, type, laying ability and hardiness. Also, just important to me, I want them to be good mamas and papas.

J- your suggestion was spot on.


I have a cute little trio of Lavender Orps, a couple of mixed layers and a LB, so I guess that'll have to do for color variety around here for now.


Thanks again!

 

[Habibs Hens]

i have buff and lemon cuckoo orp crosses

they look so cool


i have one that is a lemon cuckoo

and one that is a buff cuckoo

they are soooo cute

both chicks have buff and lemon parent

 

[lildinkem]

You can breed Buffs to Whites. You will most likely get some that are pure Buff and some that look like Buff Sports. I have several Buff Sports which came from a well known EXHIBITION Buff Orp breeder Norm Pontious who took Whites to his Buffs line to clean out what is called smut in the tails. Many times good colored Buffs lines can get black in their tails or smut. The way to combat that is taking Whites to a Buff line with this trouble. And that cleans it right up. Norm did this and he created a line which occasionally throws Buff Sports. And also threw some of the best Buffs in the Midwest. One of his line won the Junior Show at our Indiana State Fair Poultry Show 2 years ago. I have several Buff Sports from that show winner.
This maybe what you might want to try and do.

 

[Jubilee1111]

Lildinkem, You just rocked my world! You gave me an option plus solved the problem of tail smut. Also, your sig line made me smile.

I've heard the white orps also carry the barring gene. Do you know if that is true?

 

[lildinkem]

Lildinkem, You just rocked my world! You gave me an option plus solved the problem of tail smut. Also, your sig line made me smile.

I've heard the white orps also carry the barring gene. Do you know if that is true?

Some lines of Whites do carry the Cuckoo barring gene. You can take the White/Buff offspring to either Whites or Buffs. IF you take them to Whites you can then take those offpsring to Blacks and the eventually Blues. Buffs are the best built up of the Orps. You should have no problem getting a nice quality Buff to use. I am breeding all the standards. And am just starting to make a White line with some consistancy. I will use my Buffs to better my Whites. Here is a pic of some decent 5 month oles
by the way these Whites are 1/2 from a White Orp cock and 1/2 from a Buff Sport pullet

 

[Jubilee1111]

Gorgeous! Thank you so much for the info. It helps so much.

Now, to find those quality white orps. Do you ship eggs or know of someone in Central TX who has a good program going?