*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[Wyorp Rock]

Get's my vote for pic of the week

x2

 

[Coop de Grass]

Hi! I am just starting to post to BYC, and thought that I'd share about Buffy Wildwings! She is now 7 months old, began laying in October. She is part of a small mixed flock - 2 Bielefelders, 2 Silver lace Wyandottes, 1 Australorp, 1 Light Brahma, and Buffy.


Buffy is very sweet, curious, and has become broody! I am waiting for the postman to deliver the hatching eggs today, and hope to have some more of these beauties in 3 weeks!

 

[Lelanae]

Hi! I am just starting to post to BYC, and thought that I'd share about Buffy Wildwings! She is now 7 months old, began laying in October. She is part of a small mixed flock - 2 Bielefelders, 2 Silver lace Wyandottes, 1 Australorp, 1 Light Brahma, and Buffy.


Buffy is very sweet, curious, and has become broody! I am waiting for the postman to deliver the hatching eggs today, and hope to have some more of these beauties in 3 weeks!

She is adorable! I have one a bit younger in a mixed flock. I would love to see your wyandottes too--Silver Laced are on my "must get this spring" list!

 

[jab2you]

Ok, don't know if I should start another thread for this or not but. I hear people speak badly of the hatcheries. What's so bad about them that they stay in business?

 

[abbevilleoz]

Ok, don't know if I should start another thread for this or not but. I hear people speak badly of the hatcheries. What's so bad about them that they stay in business?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with hatcheries. There are several that have been around for many decades for good reason. For us older folk they were the only source of a variety of poultry back in the day. Meat and egg production were common necessities for most rural families. Many, if not most current poultry fanciers had their start with hatchery birds. They either arrived at the Post Office or purchased them at the local feed store. They are good chickens who will not likely when a show. That's the only difference I would be concerned with. I've had breeder's birds and hatchery birds for years. I have three old hatchery hens that are about nine years old that I think are pretty and one is laying about four eggs per week in winter time. My hens don't know they are not show quality. I think it boils down to what you want. Do you just want good looking fertile chickens or are you trying to achieve the standard of perfection for your favorite breed?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi! I am just starting to post to BYC, and thought that I'd share about Buffy Wildwings! She is now 7 months old, began laying in October. She is part of a small mixed flock - 2 Bielefelders, 2 Silver lace Wyandottes, 1 Australorp, 1 Light Brahma, and Buffy.


Buffy is very sweet, curious, and has become broody! I am waiting for the postman to deliver the hatching eggs today, and hope to have some more of these beauties in 3 weeks!

Ahh..isn't she sweet! BO's are fun to have. Yes, curious, friendly...could go on. I really like my "Buff Girls"!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with hatcheries. There are several that have been around for many decades for good reason. For us older folk they were the only source of a variety of poultry back in the day. Meat and egg production were common necessities for most rural families. Many, if not most current poultry fanciers had their start with hatchery birds. They either arrived at the Post Office or purchased them at the local feed store. They are good chickens who will not likely when a show. That's the only difference I would be concerned with. I've had breeder's birds and hatchery birds for years. I have three old hatchery hens that are about nine years old that I think are pretty and one is laying about four eggs per week in winter time. My hens don't know they are not show quality. I think it boils down to what you want. Do you just want good looking fertile chickens or are you trying to achieve the standard of perfection for your favorite breed?

I agree! Mine are all hatchery birds. They wouldn't meet the "standard of perfection" but that's not why I got chickens. I wanted good layers, somewhat hardy stock to withstand hot and cold weather, and all around good "backyard chickens"

. So far, I have been happy with what I have.
As @abbevilleoz states " it boils down to what you want."

 

[jab2you]

Looking for Barred Lemon Orpington Rooster

 

[Coop de Grass]

I agree with Abbevilleoz and Wyorp Rock! Hatcheries, as long as they are reputable are wonderful because they allow us to choose specific breeds if we wish to. I got my hens as week old chicks from a hatchery an hour from me. I was able to get an assortment which worked because I knew nothing about chickens - I don't know much, but I am obsessed. I told everyone that I was fillingmy "empty nest" which was true because the last "little one" started college last year.

I posted my original question because I couldn't read all the pages between this one and the first one, so I didn't see the wonderful discussion about how people started to have crosses. Unless you are planning on selling purebred birds there is no need to demand purebred birds. If you are, then purchase your eggs from the most reputable hatchery that you can find.

I love my girls! They are the best non impulsive "impulsive" purchase I have ever made June 22, 2015.Some of the girls, Buffy is in the back. July 2015
Choti Memshib, My Light Brahma, November 2015. Choti survived a serious hawk attack in late August 2015 and was rescued by my husband who beat off the hawk!

Onyx, the Black Australorp

Smokey, Silver Lace Wyandotte

Bandit, also a Silver Lace Wyandotte. Not sure why her comb is different than Smokey's, probably a different cross!


All 7 girls hanging out in the woods.

 

[chickiechick12]

Love the pics of the mixed flock and speaking of mixed flock... I'm getting ready to introduce my six Black Australorp chicks in with my four 9 month old Buff Orpington Hens. My BO hens are the SWEETEST and I handle them a lot. They come when called and follow me around everywhere. I know I'm being opptomistic thinking because they are so sweet they will adjust well to the introduction... Has anyone noticed if BO are easier to introduce chicks to than other breeds because they are more docile? I am just imaging my sweet girls going murderous... I'm hoping it won't be as bad as I think.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree with Abbevilleoz and Wyorp Rock! Hatcheries, as long as they are reputable are wonderful because they allow us to choose specific breeds if we wish to. I got my hens as week old chicks from a hatchery an hour from me. I was able to get an assortment which worked because I knew nothing about chickens - I don't know much, but I am obsessed. I told everyone that I was fillingmy "empty nest" which was true because the last "little one" started college last year.

I posted my original question because I couldn't read all the pages between this one and the first one, so I didn't see the wonderful discussion about how people started to have crosses. Unless you are planning on selling purebred birds there is no need to demand purebred birds. If you are, then purchase your eggs from the most reputable hatchery that you can find.

I love my girls! They are the best non impulsive "impulsive" purchase I have ever made June 22, 2015.Some of the girls, Buffy is in the back. July 2015
Choti Memshib, My Light Brahma, November 2015. Choti survived a serious hawk attack in late August 2015 and was rescued by my husband who beat off the hawk!

Onyx, the Black Australorp

Smokey, Silver Lace Wyandotte

Bandit, also a Silver Lace Wyandotte. Not sure why her comb is different than Smokey's, probably a different cross!


All 7 girls hanging out in the woods.

Cute flock! Thanks for sharing.

Love the pics of the mixed flock and speaking of mixed flock... I'm getting ready to introduce my six Black Australorp chicks in with my four 9 month old Buff Orpington Hens. My BO hens are the SWEETEST and I handle them a lot. They come when called and follow me around everywhere. I know I'm being opptomistic thinking because they are so sweet they will adjust well to the introduction... Has anyone noticed if BO are easier to introduce chicks to than other breeds because they are more docile? I am just imaging my sweet girls going murderous... I'm hoping it won't be as bad as I think.

How old are your chicks?
The BO's can be like any other breed when it comes to pecking order. My BO girls are very sweet, but they are no pushovers, they hold their own pretty well.
That said, if you go with a "see-but-don't-touch" intro, hopefully things will go smoothly.
From what I understand the Austrolorps are pretty close in personality as the BO so it sounds like a good mix.