*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[mcclucker]

Hi I'm totally new to chickens and this forum. I am raising 6 chicks we got from the feed store - they came from a hatchery. 2 are BO, 2 EE and 2 SLWs. One of the BOs I'm positive is a roo. They're only 3 weeks old but here he is. He just screams boy. His/her name is Bernice but I'm pretty sure he is Bernie (yep I'm from Vermont). My question - I live on a half acre and planning to free range these ladies in a large fenced in area (they have an enclosed shed at night), and can have a rooster. Could/should I keep him? Are BO roosters less aggressive than other breeds? S/he is our favorite of course, super friendly, walks on the kids and rides on their shoulders. Pros/cons of keeping a BO roo with 5 hens? Is that not enough hens? At what point will I know whether he's a "good" roo or not? I'm not sure the shed has room for more hens in the winter.

S/He's already getting a comb at 2.5 weeks and this stance screams roo to me!

 

[GardenNut]

Congratulations on getting a place in the country. If you start a thread about your new digs...send me a link. I'd really enjoy following your progress.

I remember the first time I heard our young rooster crow...I was like," What the heck was that?" It was my wife that clued me in that it was our young rooster learning to crow.

Hadn't thought about a thread, but I may try that! I'll let you know if I do! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[csaylorchickens]

Like rock said, they really are golden retrievers. Mine run to me and follow me when I am outside and they look thru the windows when inside lol They love being around people and other animals.

I second that! Mine are also way way way more quiet compared to the faverolle hens. They are also sweet as could be. I only have 2 out of 6 that will let me approach and hold themy but that's ok. Most birds are cuddly lol. I say buff orpingtons are a must have in a flock

 

[csaylorchickens]

Most birds aren't cuddly

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi I'm totally new to chickens and this forum. I am raising 6 chicks we got from the feed store - they came from a hatchery. 2 are BO, 2 EE and 2 SLWs. One of the BOs I'm positive is a roo. They're only 3 weeks old but here he is. He just screams boy. His/her name is Bernice but I'm pretty sure he is Bernie (yep I'm from Vermont). My question - I live on a half acre and planning to free range these ladies in a large fenced in area (they have an enclosed shed at night), and can have a rooster. Could/should I keep him? Are BO roosters less aggressive than other breeds? S/he is our favorite of course, super friendly, walks on the kids and rides on their shoulders. Pros/cons of keeping a BO roo with 5 hens? Is that not enough hens? At what point will I know whether he's a "good" roo or not? I'm not sure the shed has room for more hens in the winter.

S/He's already getting a comb at 2.5 weeks and this stance screams roo to me!

Welcome to BYC!

It's a little too early to tell whether it's a boy or not.
As far as whether BO roosters are less aggressive, time will tell.

There are many great articles, threads here on BYC on roosters.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Hi I'm totally new to chickens and this forum. I am raising 6 chicks we got from the feed store - they came from a hatchery. 2 are BO, 2 EE and 2 SLWs. One of the BOs I'm positive is a roo. They're only 3 weeks old but here he is. He just screams boy. His/her name is Bernice but I'm pretty sure he is Bernie (yep I'm from Vermont). My question - I live on a half acre and planning to free range these ladies in a large fenced in area (they have an enclosed shed at night), and can have a rooster. Could/should I keep him? Are BO roosters less aggressive than other breeds? S/he is our favorite of course, super friendly, walks on the kids and rides on their shoulders. Pros/cons of keeping a BO roo with 5 hens? Is that not enough hens? At what point will I know whether he's a "good" roo or not? I'm not sure the shed has room for more hens in the winter.

S/He's already getting a comb at 2.5 weeks and this stance screams roo to me!

Nothing screams roo at me and it's way to early to tell. The first sign you will notice is most likely the darkening of the comb between 4 to 8 weeks. I haven't had a Bo rooster but my experience has been great with all my roosters. I haven't had an aggressive one yet. It really is more an individual thing but plenty of roosters are friendly and make great pets. They usually say it's good to have 10 hens per rooster but if your free ranging you may get away with 5. I would consider adding a few more hens if you can. Hope I've helped some.

 

[mcclucker]

That does help thank you. I have been reading the sexing thread on byc and I think I know what to look for. I know it's early but Bernice just behaves so differently from the others. I have an EE I'm keeping my eye on too but for now she just seems a bossy girl. I hope they're all pullets but glad to know we might be able to manage with a roo. It's the winter I worry about - they have a totally covered run available in winter but I'm not sure how much they'll use it with the amount of snow on the ground we get here. I don't think more than 6 chickens would be happy in the shed during the coldest months.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

That does help thank you. I have been reading the sexing thread on byc and I think I know what to look for. I know it's early but Bernice just behaves so differently from the others. I have an EE I'm keeping my eye on too but for now she just seems a bossy girl. I hope they're all pullets but glad to know we might be able to manage with a roo. It's the winter I worry about - they have a totally covered run available in winter but I'm not sure how much they'll use it with the amount of snow on the ground we get here. I don't think more than 6 chickens would be happy in the shed during the coldest months.

I wish I could help there but we lI've in the heat. Almost never snows here. Our biggest struggle is keeping our chickens from heat stroke. I have heard that chicken with rose combs like on the wyandottes are more cold hardy. That may help. I've heard ducks are really cold hardy as well and some lay better then chickens.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

That does help thank you. I have been reading the sexing thread on byc and I think I know what to look for. I know it's early but Bernice just behaves so differently from the others. I have an EE I'm keeping my eye on too but for now she just seems a bossy girl. I hope they're all pullets but glad to know we might be able to manage with a roo. It's the winter I worry about - they have a totally covered run available in winter but I'm not sure how much they'll use it with the amount of snow on the ground we get here. I don't think more than 6 chickens would be happy in the shed during the coldest months.

Chickens will happily run around in the snow. I use a barn for a coop and free range my birds. I do keep them locked up when it is actively snowing or the drifts are very deep, I have lots of space but I can tell you some tricks to alleviate some of the tightness.
You can clear the run of snow or cover your run to keep the snow our of your run, snow is ok, you just do not want deep drifts. I add mirrors to my coop, those unbreakable kids ones, my birds spend many cold winter days admiring their lovely plumage. I was planning on fashioning some swings for my birds this winter, that adds to their fun. Treats hanging from ropes, different levels within the coop, plenty of deep litter for them to scratch through, all help keep chicken busy and happy, especially important in the winter.
I would cover your run and allow your birds to continue to use it throughout the winter, add the toys, you will have happy birds all year. Cold does not bother birds nearly as much as heat.

 

[mcclucker]

Those are great ideas thank you! They are all cold hardy breeds. I'm excited to see them all grow up.