To be honest, I am not sure what they're from. The rooster was an unknown Marans cross crossed with Buff Orpington. I previously thought they were the offspring of my alpha rooster, but now that they've grown up, I think they were from this guy, Sean Connery. I butchered him, but apparently not before he had some fun with my Buff Orpingtons. He was the best tasting, most tender young rooster I've ever eaten.
I hatched 3 cockerels and 3 pullets from the eggs of 2 different Buff Orpingtons that all look pretty much the same, aside from the one smaller pullet that has the lacing on the chest. I'm not really pleased with their form, but I have noticed that they are more cold hardy than the rest of my flock and were out in the snow when everybody else was inside. Sean Connery was also exceedingly friendly for a young cockerel, and his offspring were the same, very much underfoot whenever I went outside, the friendliest birds I've ever had.
I hatched 3 cockerels and 3 pullets from the eggs of 2 different Buff Orpingtons that all look pretty much the same, aside from the one smaller pullet that has the lacing on the chest. I'm not really pleased with their form, but I have noticed that they are more cold hardy than the rest of my flock and were out in the snow when everybody else was inside. Sean Connery was also exceedingly friendly for a young cockerel, and his offspring were the same, very much underfoot whenever I went outside, the friendliest birds I've ever had.
My current rooster is an Appenzeller. He is great, but since he is gold laced and throws black chicks, my flock is becoming more and more dark. I hope the adding in of the Orps and light Ameraucanas will help bring in more color.
