*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[lildinkem]

Total Buff Orpington N00b here. I'd like some advice, and you can be honest... I can take it!

I'm looking for a mellow, calm, friendly breed of chicken. By friendly, I mean that I would like to occasionally be able to hold/pet the hen briefly, once in a while, and am looking for a breed who relates happily to humans and handling. I am open to raising the hen from chickhood, if you think that may best help the hen learn comfort and love while being occasionally gently handled.

Our flock is tiny, (3 hens, 1 ancient mini-roo) peaceful, and they get to free-range in safety in our large, fenced backyard. So, we really want a mellow, calm, easygoing breed to keep a peaceful vibe going. And yes, I'd like an occasional outdoor lap pet to spoil now and again.

Is this a suitable breed for our situation? I'm wishing to get sexed chicks to avoid roos, so am considering hatchery stock.
Are some hatcheries stock more friendly/calm/handle-able than others?

Thank you so very much for your time and consideration in offering me guidance!

Nice GSD in your avatar.

 

[galanie]

I can't tell you absolutely about hatcheries but I do know that my original hens were from Ideal hatchery. Of 4, one is absolutely a friendly doll. Two are easygoing but really resist being touched. And one is just strange. I mean she doesn't act much like the other three at all. She gives me comedy relief with the silly things she does.

I will say that I didn't raise them as pets even though they really are now. So I didn't handle them much when they were little. Perhaps if I had, they'd all let me touch them. As it is now, the one will allow me to pick her up and has always been that way for some reason.

 

[fowlmouthgirls]

Hey all, I have a 4 week old BO that has developed a blue spot on her head....Is this normal?

 

[Tuhmu]

Just received them this morning, my new little flufferbutts!

 

[fowlmouthgirls]

Omg! I love the chick in the cup!

 

[Crafty chick]

Hey all, I have a 4 week old BO that has developed a blue spot on her head....Is this normal?

could she have gotten pecked? Looks maybe like a bruise.

 

[fowlmouthgirls]

She could have, she's number 2 in the pecking order, and she has been sticking her head through the chicken wire to eat the grass on the other side. Sigh, she thinks its always greener, lol. I was just curious if anyone else had ever seen something like that, it just showed up today so you may be right and its a bruise.

 

[Tuhmu]

Omg! I love the chick in the cup!

A cup of fuzz a day, will keep you happy all day.

 

[BrewerRL]

My first baby buff Orpington bantams are set to arrive the first of July! I can't wait!! Any advice for a first timer with this breed?

 

[fowlmouthgirls]

Mine has the best personality out of all six of my girls! I love her, my three year old listens to Alvin and the chipmunks so loud, and dances all over, and Goldie jumps out of the tub to watch her, it's soo cute!