- Oct 29, 2012
- 26
- 5
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I am very new to Orpingtons. Have had back yard mixed flock for several years and am rehoming everyone except the Orpingtons I recently hatched out and possibly the langshan/Orpington crosses.I currently have 1 black and 1 blue langshan/Orpington cross. The Orpingtons are 3 blue pullets, 1 blue cockerel, 3 splash, 1 pullet and 1 cockerel blue/buff Columbian and 3 more blues that I am unsure of sex on. I don't know what sex the splashes are either. I also have 6 eggs that are under a broody that have a chocolate father and black/blue mother's.
I want to breed for temperament, color and body type. Some of the stock they come from are English and some are American. I prefer the English type.
My questions to start are (what would you do); should I keep the blue/buff Columbians? (I'm concerned that they might damage the BBS lines. On the other hand, I really like their temperament, color and type.
Do I keep the langshan crosses? I don't care for the feathered legs, but I know Orps were originally developed from langshans. Could I breed out the feathered legs, if so, how many generations would that take? Should I only breed chocolates to black or can I breed to blue and splash as well?
How old will they be before they start laying/breeding? I know they take longer to mature than what I am experienced with.
What should I concentrate on first, color, body type or temperament?
If I cross out to the langshans, how many generations before their offspring are considered pure?
Any other advice?
I absolutely adore this breed!! My oldest were hatched April 28 and the next clutch hatched June 2, last clutch is due to hatch in 19 more days! I am literally counting my chickens before they hatch
I want to breed for temperament, color and body type. Some of the stock they come from are English and some are American. I prefer the English type.
My questions to start are (what would you do); should I keep the blue/buff Columbians? (I'm concerned that they might damage the BBS lines. On the other hand, I really like their temperament, color and type.
Do I keep the langshan crosses? I don't care for the feathered legs, but I know Orps were originally developed from langshans. Could I breed out the feathered legs, if so, how many generations would that take? Should I only breed chocolates to black or can I breed to blue and splash as well?
How old will they be before they start laying/breeding? I know they take longer to mature than what I am experienced with.
What should I concentrate on first, color, body type or temperament?
If I cross out to the langshans, how many generations before their offspring are considered pure?
Any other advice?
I absolutely adore this breed!! My oldest were hatched April 28 and the next clutch hatched June 2, last clutch is due to hatch in 19 more days! I am literally counting my chickens before they hatch