Chicken Breed Focus - Russian Orloff

[aJadeMagnolia]

We love our Orloffs! They're bright, excellent foragers (ours hunt and eat mice, centipedes, black widow spiders, and more), interesting to watch, and beautiful. Our rooster is the best head rooster I've ever seen: he manages a large and diverse flock with several lieutenant roosters in charge of different zones, and he won't return to the coop for the night until everyone in his flock is in their correct coops. Gentle and not picky on anyone, they're great with bantams, too.

They sound lovely! May I ask where you got your Orloffs from?

 

[blayt90]

I read somewhere that the Russian orloff eats fire ants. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about it?

 

[gander007]

I read somewhere that the Russian orloff eats fire ants. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about it?

Yes they will eat the fire ants but do not count on them eating a net of the ants ..

 

[BackwoodsBohemian]

Hello Orloff Enthusiasts! I was hoping to utilize your expertise with the breed to answer a few questions about a lovely little roo I was recently gifted, if you don't mind. This is Buster Banty, whom I was told is a Russian Spangled Orloff of the Bantam variety. His prior owner acquired him from a breeder as a reject and was specifically instructed not to breed him or sell him for the purposes of breeding because he wasn't up to snuff. I was hoping someone familiar with the breed could tell me in what way(s) that is the case.

He has a home here either way right alongside the other rescues and retirees, and I doubt very much anyone would want Orloff/RIR or Orloff/Game/Dark Cornish hatching eggs anyway, but his friendly attitude and unique looks are getting quite a bit of attention and I'd like to be able to explain him a little better to the guests that visit the farm.

(And before anyone asks: Yes, I am aware of his overgrown beak, which we're correcting a little at a time along with his nails.)

 

[Momo1234]

I decided to raise Russian Orloffs because they are a cold hardy dual breed of bird. The look and coloration was also a very large consideration for me, they remind me of a old russian noble in a fur lined coat in the winter (just my mental image). They have proven to me so far that they are very intelligent, very easy going and they come in some spectacular colorations and patterns. So far they are my favorite birds that I own.

These birds are all under a year old.

Are these all hens?

 

[JeanetteDunn]

This is Ivan. He is 20 weeks old. He is gentle with the hens, yet 'visits' them often. He doesn't have his spurs yet and is not yet crowing. He is so sweet. He was supposed to be a hen, but they got the chicks mixed up at the feed store. My landscaper will take him, but I told him if he has problems - to give him back. (I don't want him going somewhere where he will get eaten.) If I was not in the 'burbs', I'd keep him.

 

[chickengr]

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This is Ivan. He is 20 weeks old. He is gentle with the hens, yet 'visits' them often. He doesn't have his spurs yet and is not yet crowing. He is so sweet. He was supposed to be a hen, but they got the chicks mixed up at the feed store. My landscaper will take him, but I told him if he has problems - to give him back. (I don't want him going somewhere where he will get eaten.) If I was not in the 'burbs', I'd keep him.

he is gorgeous! pitty you cannot keep him.

 

[JeanetteDunn]

he is gorgeous! pitty you cannot keep him.

I know. He's so sweet. My landscaper has had his eye on Ivan, and is coming to pick him up in an hour. I tricked Ivan into coming inside, with dinner rolls. He's sulking in the dog crate.

 

[eggspecto_patronum]

HI everyone just wondering how this breed is doing. Is anyone here still breeding? Would love to see some sop pictures.

 

[Momo1234]

I know. He's so sweet. My landscaper has had his eye on Ivan, and is coming to pick him up in an hour. I tricked Ivan into coming inside, with dinner rolls. He's sulking in the dog crate.

That’s I so interesting ting, that he is so sweet. Mine is a meanie! He attacks me very chance possible and I’ve had him from a chick. I give treats all the time now!