BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[Our Roost]

neopolitancrazy, Aaak! I did say rose combs didnt I. I meant large single comb in roosters.Why blue orpingtons? Unlike the buff colored orps, the blues are much bigger and robust. Yes their legs shanks are thicker and broad stanced. Being dual purpose birds, Iam very satisfied with egg production, size of egg and consistency. They provide good quantity of meat and reach table weight without eating you out of house and home. These birds are cold hardy and have wintered well for us. I am not sure on how this strain color of orpington arose but I assume its a cross that makes it what it is. I purchased this rare color when it was first introduced and have been very happy with it. They are truly not blue and there are 3 color variations. Go figure!

 

[DesertChic]

They say beauty is only skin deep and its whats inside that counts? I cringe everytime I see a picture of a naked neck Turken and wonder what happened to the poor bird! There has to be some history behind its appearance. Why oh why does it lack feathering? Oh well, if you like it, keep it. I have read postings of other chicken lovers wanting to crossbreed this bird as well. Iam sure you could connect with some of them.
My project? I only discussed and talked about phase 1 of my plan. I plan to introduce a third bird into the mix down the line if all goes well. The last thing I want is a bunch of barnyard specials having no purpose getting fed for free with no benefeits! Utility breeding is a challenge and finding a few good coaching mentors to divulge what to do and not to do has been a struggle. Fortunately I have acquired just enough information to get started. It is more of a hobby to me than a business. Its not hard to butt heads and get redirected with people in the know. The main thing is to share and get educated. You cant learn unless you ask and read! Byc forum is a good place to start! I love this thread.

The history behind NNs is actually pretty utilitarian: they have roughly 25% less feathering than other birds; they're good meat birds; less feathering = less plucking at processing and cleaner carcasses. Right now in France they're being used as a cross with many of the standard French meat birds both to increase the amount of meat and to make processing easier. Plus, they really do have wonderful personalities and they're VERY hardy birds with natural resistance to several illnesses that challenge most poultry flocks. And the NN gene is actually a dominant gene, so it's easy to crossbreed into other breeds of chicken to get some pretty wild feathering patterns. Less feathering is also a big plus here in the desert SW where summer temps routinely head north of 100 degrees. (We've been in the upper 70s to mid-80s for weeks now.) And they're pretty good layers of large eggs on top of it all. Definitely an acquired taste though. I originally swore I'd never own such an "ugly" bird, but I absolutely love them now.

I'm anxious to see pics of your project birds at every stage. Blue Orps were high on my list of possible breeds at one time because I absolutely love how they look, and crossing with Biels...can't wait to see how they look! What a fun hobby!

 

[RedRidge]

I would LOVE to see pics of your Rhodebars...I find them to be a very beautiful bird! 

They are still in dire need, but are improving with each gen...

 

[Beekissed]

Still beautiful!! Do they lay well?

 

[Heron's Nest Farm]

gjensen, Earlier I posted my intent to cross Blelefelders with blue orpingtons as a projected future meat bird for my own utility use. You posed many questions. What I lacked was data to back up my studies that made me choose these 2 breeds. I have 3 years of findings on the blue orpingtons but not the bielefelder breed. I dont own this breed and havent been able to acquire anything other than hearsay. I am 68 years old and it was a judgement call based on what I read and professional mentors I consulted about this cross. I much appreciated your input and your questions were spot on with my some of my own questions and thoughts of what I was wanting to accomplish and expect. I know that each parent bird is a contributor to the offspring but I dont know what will transfer in the cross. The bielefelders are auto sexed at birth but the orpingtons are not. One has a rose comb and the other has a pea comb. One has very thick shanked legs and the other does not. Both breeds are of good size and can be raised to a good table weight. I have pretty much explored all the good characteristics of each bird touching on most if not all the questions you posed.
Michigan is a 4 season climate and we winter our birds. I have the mind set to never own or handle more birds or breeds than you can maintain and retain your sanity. I currently have 2 coops and one will soon become more of a breeding pen than a permanent residence. I house about 30 chickens. My ultimate plan is to have one breed developed for both meat and eggs suitable to meet both needs. It has taken me 5 years before I opted to select the 3 breeds I will be using to try and achieve this utility goal and arrive at this project. I must admit that I am no Thomas Edison but I dislike failure. Successes are so much better when you can look back and be proud of yourself! I need mentors of experience like yourself to help and guide me along the way. I am very good at my retired trade but my hobby with chickens is a work in progress. If you or anyone can share in a diplomatic way, I would be very appreciative. Iam not real fond of diplomacy by the way. I like cold hard facts much better!

I am excited to hear how this goes. I am an orpington collector and the blue is HUGE. Definitely bridging on turkey sized legs.

The spangled are also excellent in size. I think you could pick and choose your way to the desirable combination.

As far as combs go, maybe you could select for the one that is more frost tolerant since you are in MI?

Please give pictures when you can.

 

[Our Roost]

Heron's Nest Farm,
Pictures? Ha ha. These 2 breeds wont mate until spring of 2016. So dont hold your breath! Iam getting bielie chicks in april and a roo. I have one season of grow out before I can mate them. I will post some pictures of both breeds as they grow.

 

[neopolitancrazy]

... the blues are much bigger and robust. Yes their legs shanks are thicker and broad stanced. Being dual purpose birds, Iam very satisfied with egg production, size of egg and consistency. They provide good quantity of meat and reach table weight without eating you out of house and home. These birds are cold hardy and have wintered well for us. I am not sure on how this strain color of orpington arose but I assume its a cross that makes it what it is. I purchased this rare color when it was first introduced and have been very happy with it. They are truly not blue and there are 3 color variations. Go figure!

Your Blue Orps sound fabulous, can you post some pictures so we can drool over them?

I also have a "blue" variety, (Blue Laced Red Wyandottes,) and the reason they come in 3 colors is because the blue results from a combination of the "black" gene and the "splash" gene. Birds with one of each are blue, while birds with two matching genes will be either the black or splash.

I am not disputing anyone's claims of poor production with any contemporary strain of any breed, but white Wyandottes were prize-winning egg layers in the 1890's or so, when those egg-laying contests got started, and the 2 pullets I have now are up to laying 6-7 large eggs per pullet per week. One is trying to go broody, dang it. I plan to evaluate their daughters for POL this year, and for speediness of molt and winter laying in future years.

Best wishes,
Angela

 

[RedRidge]

Still beautiful!!  Do they lay well? 

They lay like crazy, but their carcasses are awful. Lol. But, they have improved so that's something. If only I could get them up to par with my reds. Good egg laying and carcass quality. But Gary and his dad and grandfather have been working on these reds for over 100 years, so I have a ways to go.
It'll be years but as long as I keep seeing improvement I'll keep plucking away.

 

[bmvf]

Thanks @bnjrob and @RedRidge for the pics. I have PVC to make another A-frame tractor but do not have the chicken wire. I've considered making the Joel Salatin style chicken tractors but I'm not sure how they'll work with layers.

 

[Our Roost]

neopolitancrazy, Yes, I will try to snap some photos of the blue orp gals and post. Dont look for blue coloring per say because mine are either black or a silver gray with black neck hackles. I dont have any splash varieties as yet. Drat, they are the pretty ones!