Buff Orpington Pullet: How bad is this fault?

[bantyhen'sfriend]

I've checked her and the other birds over; no mites. I dust all birds that have feathers with Sevin the day they arrive, and again a couple weeks before Fair to dry up any feather casings (the birds have to be hatched after Jan 1st to compete, but the judges loooove the mature birds hatched Jan 1st). She has been dusted, and I checked yesterday to be sure she didn't have mites.

Also, amidst all the incredible fluff (my cochins aren't as fluffy as she is!) her tail is coming in, veeeeery slooooowly, and only an inch and a half to two inches can be seen, and you can't see it unless you search up close and personal. The judge knows his stuff, judges to the Standard of Perection for each breed, and is quite nice to all the kids.

rodriguezpoultry said...

Just throwing this out there, and I'm not trying to be rude, but if she's in that bad of condition, why take her at all?

It's OK. She is my only Orp, and I have no other bird in the same variety as she is to swap out. I figure I might as well show her, if only just to get the buck of premium money from a 3rd place ribbon (they judge under the "Danish" system, so everyone gets a ribbon, 1st-3rd). Fair is in about a week, so she probaly won't sprout a tail by then. She just doesn't look as mature as the other birds. even my Orp from McMurray was more mature, ad it was hatched around the same time.​

 

[aveca]

Quote:
GW took a vacation here in the northeast-. Record lows again tonight, mid to lower 40s again in july, imagine that, we have been stuck in this rotating weather thing, rain and cold. It wont budge either.

As for the showing, The birds I have now are trash next to the ones we lost to the red dog . I have put together a hodge podge of not the very best birds , picked up a couple here and there . But you know what, this is a very difficult breed to find top birds at least here, even hatching eggs , you see a lot of people advertising good bird hatching eggs , but then you see the pics and they dont lie.. And Im still going to go out to the shows with what I have and just be around the birds and the people and have good time, I thought to myself , I want to do things the right way and only breed the best birds, The great egg layers are another subject and would be a seperate group at our other farm.

the best bird I own is gwenivere the sebright pullet but she came in egg form on my brother in laws lap from england. Got 18 eggs from a breeder but only 7 hatched and lost one, sold a pair.again it was so cold and they litereally open your eggs and look at them in case you might be hiding something bad or drugs or something. He said it was C O L D and they had it opened for a while.

and the guy we bought the origional lorps from retired about 7 years ago and this guy was unbeleivable, he ran a show facility , he must have had 2 thousand birds, he would show up at a the bigger shows with 400 birds, These were great birds he nit picked and flew all over US buying top birds. and I mean every breed. the shows would complain cause he would sweep every single award including best in show, . His whole family was in on his act.

If I can find some really good lorps again, I would just retire these birds to eggie laying and start over. It gets to the point where you get frustrated enough to start calling the hatcheries.

I mean they arnt that bad , some of them have some very good points , some not so much, One I didnt like suddenly turned into a starlet . So I just hope people dont give up, that bird who is a bit dull this year might be your star next year.

I have not too much to work with so hopefully next year I might find a couple of really good pairs.

 

[aveca]

bantyhen'sfriend :

I've checked her and the other birds over; no mites. I dust all birds that have feathers with Sevin the day they arrive, and again a couple weeks before Fair to dry up any feather casings (the birds have to be hatched after Jan 1st to compete, but the judges loooove the mature birds hatched Jan 1st). She has been dusted, and I checked yesterday to be sure she didn't have mites.

Also, amidst all the incredible fluff (my cochins aren't as fluffy as she is!) her tail is coming in, veeeeery slooooowly, and only an inch and a half to two inches can be seen, and you can't see it unless you search up close and personal. The judge knows his stuff, judges to the Standard of Perection for each breed, and is quite nice to all the kids.

rodriguezpoultry said...

Just throwing this out there, and I'm not trying to be rude, but if she's in that bad of condition, why take her at all?

It's OK. She is my only Orp, and I have no other bird in the same variety as she is to swap out. I figure I might as well show her, if only just to get the buck of premium money from a 3rd place ribbon (they judge under the "Danish" system, so everyone gets a ribbon, 1st-3rd). Fair is in about a week, so she probaly won't sprout a tail by then. She just doesn't look as mature as the other birds. even my Orp from McMurray was more mature, ad it was hatched around the same time.​

GOOD LUCK AT THE SHOW AND ENJOY YOURSELF. A bove all thats the most important thing. I think we just forget to have fun and learn. this bird might be a great show bird next year.

Please post some pics I will be so excited to see your pics. Have you ever seen those ducks showing in a funny molt? They go right ahead and judge them and somehow they are aware of this is just part of it. If shes not that terrible bad and has more good points you'll do OK.Condition does count 10 points . beak 5 points on down the line.

I will be posting some pics after my show aug 4rth. Not sure what will happen, its our first time out in a while. And I was pretty spoiled with the last group of birds I had. Im really going to have to work at this bunch.

Even if we dont do great Im going to practice what I preach and have a real good time.Im also going to show pics of the winners best 4H and adult, novice ect..​

 

[Attack Chicken]

Almost all of the birds were molting at our County Fair last year. Even my birds were molting and 1 took Champion. I'd take her

It will be interesting to see all the feathers dropping this year

 

[aveca]

Quote:
What do you use for lice powder?

Catherine

There are a couple of different powders that you can get at your local feed store like farm and tractor or agway. They are pretty easy to use. make sure to read directions . make sure you rub it right down to the skin especially around the vent.

 

[Pathfinders]

Doug is a great guy, and has bred some awesome birds. I would think he'd make an excellent county fair judge!

 

[lildinkem]

Laura, your right. Doug is a VERY REPUTATBLE and HONORABLE man. He does not let any outside thoughts enter in his decision making when gauging the quality of a bird. I know Doug somewhat. He has always been honest in his opinion, and more then friendly in helping me set up my flock. And I would guess there are other judges who are as good a source to get a true idea of your birds attributes and faults.
This lady has already done all the work. And to disregard a judges opinion, ONLY cause you are in a County fair setting & not showing in a big time show, would be not okay. You can also meet some great sources in these small county fairs, so take advantage. And have some fun.