*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[Johnn]

How old is Bella and how long did it take her to fill out?
My girls are only about 23 weeks and they're getting big but nothing like her.

She's 2. Took her a while to fill out, can't remember how long though!

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Do you think BO's are more prone to crop issues than other birds?

I lost a super sweet BO earlier this year to a crop issue. It wouldn't empty. Vet flushed it with water a few times and finally crop surgery but didn't pull out anything that didn't look like it shouldn't have gone through her.

I have three more BO's who just turned 6 months old. A few weeks back, one had a hard knot in her crop which I massaged and massaged and it finally cleared.

Tonight, one has a crop that is quite full and squishy.

I'm just so frustrated. Are they eating something in the garden that is causing crop paralysis? Or are they eating something that is tough and not going through? I do catch them nipping at the Camelia leaves which are quite leathery.

I'm so frustrated and almost at my wits end. My Jersey Giant is totally fine. And I only have the 4 chickens. It's easier for me to buy day old chicks and introduce them slowly to the JG. But that means waiting 6 long painful months for eggs. And my BO's are just coming into lay. To lose one now would break my heart.

So I'm curious what others think?

 

[speckledhen]

Do you think BO's are more prone to crop issues than other birds?

I lost a super sweet BO earlier this year to a crop issue. It wouldn't empty. Vet flushed it with water a few times and finally crop surgery but didn't pull out anything that didn't look like it shouldn't have gone through her.

I have three more BO's who just turned 6 months old. A few weeks back, one had a hard knot in her crop which I massaged and massaged and it finally cleared.

Tonight, one has a crop that is quite full and squishy.

I'm just so frustrated. Are they eating something in the garden that is causing crop paralysis? Or are they eating something that is tough and not going through? I do catch them nipping at the Camelia leaves which are quite leathery.

I'm so frustrated and almost at my wits end. My Jersey Giant is totally fine. And I only have the 4 chickens. It's easier for me to buy day old chicks and introduce them slowly to the JG. But that means waiting 6 long painful months for eggs. And my BO's are just coming into lay. To lose one now would break my heart.

So I'm curious what others think?

I have not had issues with my Buffs, but the Blues are definitely prone to pendulous and sour crop issues. I've lost three Blue Orp hens to that and it is hereditary-the hens pass it on to some of their daughters. My blue Orp hen, Smoky, died when her crop completely quit working. We did surgery and emptied it but it would no longer function. And her daughter died at about age 4 from pendulous crop but Smoky's half sister seems fine at 6 years old (they had the same sire).

I currently have an old Brahma hen with pendulous crop and emptying issues. A long time breeder and NPIP tester told me that tomato juice helps crop issues.. This summer, Caroline has eaten lots of tomatoes and we've not had to massage her crop twice a day. Must be something to that.

 

[lily cd re]

I got my buff orpington as my Meyer Meal Maker. What a lovely surprise she is turning out to be. She is so sweet and loves being with me. My other birds are Ameraucanas (black, 2 blue and a splash). With the exception of the black bird they are much more independent than my Salome.

 

[Brookshire11]

Can't compare to Johnn's pictures,

, but I still had to show off my pretty little Ava, my only remaining Buff.
She went from the very bottom of the pecking order, to the top!
She's like a little dog. A TON of personality.
Last night she nudged open the back door, let herself in, chased off the cat and then helped herself to her food

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I think that's a lovely picture

 

[ShadyGroveFarm1]

Is it normal for lots of feathers to be lying around in the coop right here close to winter?, for the past week or two my buffs have been losing lots of feathers. I cant tell if they're molting or getting pulled out by other chickens, I'm pretty sure they're molting, but just wanted to make sure

 

[Gldnrose]

Can't compare to Johnn's pictures,

, but I still had to show off my pretty little Ava, my only remaining Buff.
She went from the very bottom of the pecking order, to the top!
She's like a little dog. A TON of personality.
Last night she nudged open the back door, let herself in, chased off the cat and then helped herself to her food

Pretty girl )

Is it normal for lots of feathers to be lying around in the coop right here close to winter?, for the past week or two my buffs have been losing lots of feathers. I cant tell if they're molting or getting pulled out by other chickens, I'm pretty sure they're molting, but just wanted to make sure

I've got four Buffs and they are starting to molt. One in particular is ahead of the others and there are feathers everywhere, looks like a giant pillow fight happened. lol. I can't imagine what it will look like if all of them get going like she is. I'll be raking up as many feathers as I am leaves.

 

[Peanutsmomma]

Can't compare to Johnn's pictures,

, but I still had to show off my pretty little Ava, my only remaining Buff.
She went from the very bottom of the pecking order, to the top!
She's like a little dog. A TON of personality.
Last night she nudged open the back door, let herself in, chased off the cat and then helped herself to her food

Well, hello Ava. Aren't you a smart little girl? That is too funny that she chased off your cat. Your cat will have a hard time explaining that at the Cat Union meeting.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Can't compare to Johnn's pictures,

, but I still had to show off my pretty little Ava, my only remaining Buff.
She went from the very bottom of the pecking order, to the top!
She's like a little dog. A TON of personality.
Last night she nudged open the back door, let herself in, chased off the cat and then helped herself to her food

I love her crocked comb.