*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[thedragonlady]

hi, i know this is an old post, but i read it and wondered if this was a common problem. i am getting my first chicks in a couple of weeks and aubuchon hardware is selling buff orpingtons. how can i tell if they are actually buff orps or buff rocks? i want orps. thanks so much

Easy to tell...Orp babies have flesh colored legs and feet. Rocks have yellow legs and feet. The hatchery Orps are never as large, or fluffy, as Buff Orps bred to the Standard of Perfection and sold by breeders who show.

 

[bellaleah]

hi, thanks for the answers. so where do i get them if not from a hatchery? and i don't want more than six chicks total, do they sell that small of a number? i was also thinking of getting a couple of barred rocks and a couple of easter eggers.

 

[thedragonlady]

hi, thanks for the answers. so where do i get them if not from a hatchery? and i don't want more than six chicks total, do they sell that small of a number? i was also thinking of getting a couple of barred rocks and a couple of easter eggers.

There are lots of folks on this, and the Orpington thread, who sell chicks and eggs. Barred rocks would get along with the Orps, but not the Easter Eggers. They are too flighty.

 

[bellaleah]

really? i didn't know that! meaning they are nervous? or that they actually are flyers? and would the orps pick on them? thanks.

 

[crazyhen]

I have a little of everything. They seem to get along as long as they have plenty of space and have been reared together.

 

[thedragonlady]

really? i didn't know that! meaning they are nervous? or that they actually are flyers? and would the orps pick on them? thanks.

Orps and Rocks are generally peaceful birds, but flighty birds upset them. EEs seem to be nervous, and will fly over anything. I keep my Orps in with a 4' fence with no problems.If you have a very large coop for them to sleep in, and a big run, they might be OK, but not in a small area like a coop, or chicken tractor.

 

[justinelee]

Pretty sure I lost one of my orphs today... when we let them out we had six and today I noticed one was missing looked all throughout the yard couldnt find her and tonight still only five were waiting to be let into the chicken coop... pretty sure this will be the end of free range chickens :-( now down to 2 hens and 3 roos

 

[ladyrsanti]

Here is the buff orpington pullet I hatched from my pair Custard and Fritter. Fritter is no longer with us (roo) so it's nice to have the chick. I think she's 3 1/2 weeks old here.

 

[ducklingsweety]

No younger than 12 weeks. There is too much age difference. The older ones will really pick on the younger ones.

i had that happen with my chickens and my bantam cochin had a bleeding comb in winter poor girl!

 

[crazyhen]

The 4 foot fence explains why you do not have the EE's in with the orps. I have a 6 ft high covered run with my hens. Granted I can not cover an acre of land like I would like to do. I have a small laying flock of different varieties.
Dragonlady I bet your flock is beautiful to behold of a morning out foraging. A cup of coffee and a swing and my heart would soar watching them.

I still would like later to get some of your ladies but I must save up. Maybe next season. I am still tasting the varieties this yr.

I have hatched out Norweigeon Jaerhons for the first time. I also have the White orps. now I hatched. I already have a lavender and a blue one. Love my mixed English blue. She is a big busseled lady.

. A sweet way of saying a big bottomed one. My Elizabeth. I name my girls.
Today I introduce my 1st homemade olive eggers to my flock. It started earlier this wk with the placing of the older quieter hens in with the young ones and today they all go back into the big pen. I hope it is not to traumatic. Its been quiet so far.