*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[galanie]

He is lovely, Vickie! And I have my metal dust pans ready to make a sifter for my runs. Now to find the pop rivets in those boxes somewhere... ugh.

 

[skitzkle]

I have 2 ten week old buff orpington chicks and some times there comes and wattles get really red and then other times they are almost white. I tried to get a picture but they won't stand still! Could it be stress or heat induced?

 

[galanie]

I have 2 ten week old buff orpington chicks and some times there comes and wattles get really red and then other times they are almost white. I tried to get a picture but they won't stand still! Could it be stress or heat induced?

Yes, lighter colored combs and wattles do indicate stress of some sort usually. Hens will quit laying when they're light enough and if you've seen a broody sit on a nest for a few weeks, you really notice how "white" her comb gets to looking. In that case, it's caused by them not really getting enough to eat.

 

[skitzkle]

Yes, lighter colored combs and wattles do indicate stress of some sort usually. Hens will quit laying when they're light enough and if you've seen a broody sit on a nest for a few weeks, you really notice how "white" her comb gets to looking. In that case, it's caused by them not really getting enough to eat.

That makes since, but is it still true as a chick most of my other pullets have very light colored combs right now, although they are different breeds. I was thinking the red meant stressed and white meant normal. They are the bottom of the pecking order so they get picked on a lot, but they are going to out grow the other girls so it may change.

 

[thedragonlady]

I have 2 ten week old buff orpington chicks and some times there comes and wattles get really red and then other times they are almost white. I tried to get a picture but they won't stand still! Could it be stress or heat induced?

Are they on medicated starter ? If not, put them on it. Have you wormed them ? At 10 weeks, my baby Buffs would have been wormed 5 times. You can use Wazine n the water now, and then switch to Safeguard 10% goat wormer.

 

[Euarto Gullible]

Steve,

All these boys are missing their tails. Somebody is plucking feathers ! Brutus is by far your best cockerel. The other 2 have leghorn combs and very shallow bodies, though Lance has the best fore chest. All have loose wings at the moment , which is not unusual in young males in the heat.. My advice would be to keep them until 20 weeks old, and then take another look. I think Brutus will still be your top bird then.

They're 18 weeks now, but I need to butcher this week as Buddy and Brutus are crowing back and forth too much now. Is Brutus still the best? Since I posted last, I have noticed that Brutus has crooked inner toes. :-( Is this genetic, a calcium deficiency, or from poor incubator temps?

1. Brutus




2. Lance



3. Buddy






The three of them together for perspective:



If none of these roosters is worthy of keeping and you think I can easily find a better quality Buff Orpington rooster, let me know and I'll butcher all 3.

 

[thedragonlady]

They're 18 weeks now, but I need to butcher this week as Buddy and Brutus are crowing back and forth too much now. Is Brutus still the best? Since I posted last, I have noticed that Brutus has crooked inner toes. :-( Is this genetic, a calcium deficiency, or from poor incubator temps?

1. Brutus




2. Lance



3. Buddy






The three of them together for perspective:



If none of these roosters is worthy of keeping and you think I can easily find a better quality Buff Orpington rooster, let me know and I'll butcher all 3.

I don't know where you live, so I do not know how easy it will be for you to find a good cockerel.Lance is now a better bird than Brutus. None of them are the type I'd keep. There is too much hatchery blood there.Let me know where you are ,and I'll see if I know anyone near you.

 

[Euarto Gullible]

I'm in Pueblo, Colorado.

 

[mrstodd]

Thank you ! He is named "Hungry" for a reason...Every time I fed he was first in line, and I'd ask him, " Hungry? " It stuck and he has turned into a very deep, wide boy.

Oh wow! He is glorious! Air craft carrier is right!!

 

[galanie]

Yes, lighter colored combs and wattles do indicate stress of some sort usually. Hens will quit laying when they're light enough and if you've seen a broody sit on a nest for a few weeks, you really notice how "white" her comb gets to looking. In that case, it's caused by them not really getting enough to eat.

That makes since, but is it still true as a chick most of my other pullets have very light colored combs right now, although they are different breeds. I was thinking the red meant stressed and white meant normal. They are the bottom of the pecking order so they get picked on a lot, but they are going to out grow the other girls so it may change.

I didn't catch that you were talking about young ones. Before laying time, light colored combs mean girl, and dark means boy. Especially if you notice that some have red around the eyes. Those are boys. Once close to laying age, it changes.