English Silver Laced Orpington- Roo?

[chrissynemetz]

He still looks like a cockerel to me

 

[JaimeP]

He still looks like a cockerel to me

That’s what everyone is saying. If he is then he is. Just wishful thinking on my part.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I think he's gonna be gorgeous if that's any consolation

 

[ColtHandorf]

He's definitely still a cockerel. His coloring is still throwing me off though. @Faraday40 @PlainOrpingtons2018 @The Moonshiner @CountryFlock What do y'all think about his coloration?

 

[Faraday40]

I agree with all the others that this guy is definitely a cockerel. My English orp roos have all been sweethearts. They're not cuddly lap chickens (I have hens for that), but every roo I had would run up to greet me and check to see if I had something yummy for them. I had a few favorites who would even follow me around like puppy dogs and keep me company. (My current SLO "Mr Wonderful" is like that.)

Two ideas about "Pikachu's" breed:
1. He could be from a blue silver laced orpington project. The lacing looked poor, so the breeder probably sold the chick off as a backyard pet rather than cull. If the chick was under 4 weeks, then the breeder probably didn't know the gender yet. OR If it was 4-6 weeks, the breeder just could have made a mistake about gender. Project birds could be hit or miss and it takes several generations of breeding to resemble the goal. In the meantime, there are a lot more culls than worthy breeders.

2. He could be a mix if the breeder has similar birds like Coronation Sussex or Delaware (something with the Colombian look) If they were bred into the laced orp project - accidentally or on purpose - then it would easily show up in future breedings.


I lean more toward the 1st theory. You could always email the breeder & ask what he/she thinks. If you are able to keep a rooster and have the space, then I think you'll like having an orp rooster around. He'll offer some predator protection to the hens and English orps are rarely ever people aggressive. If you want to breed laced orps, then I'd pass on using this guy.

BTW- Here's my project Blue SLO. Her name is Blizzard. As you can see, the lacing still needs a lot of work, but she's one of my favs.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I believe she purchased him after seeing the parents in person, who were both Silver-laced? But I may be remembering wrong.

 

[ColtHandorf]

He showed me the “parents” they were all in their own coops! A pair per coop, so I’m not sure what the heck happened!

Yeah, apparently the adults were both visually Silver-laced.

 

[PlainOrpingtons2018]

View attachment 1836040 So I know it’s a bit early, Pika is approximately 9 weeks old and while I do not see rooish behaviors the comb and wattles are starting to worry me! This is the only orpington I have, so I have nothing to compare to. Thanks in advance for the guesses! Really hoping for a pullet, since I only have 1 of these.

Definitely looks like a cockerel, though this guy would NOT be great for breeding, he’s lacking proper lacing. BUT you can breed him to white Orpington if you want to work on a Columbian Orpington project. He’s showing the Columbian gene. So silver laced wise he’s a cull(not good for breeding), but with him still expressing the Columbian gene he’d be great for a project.

 

[JaimeP]

I believe she purchased him after seeing the parents in person, who were both Silver-laced? But I may be remembering wrong.

Yes I did, you remembered correctly!

 

[JaimeP]

I agree with all the others that this guy is definitely a cockerel. My English orp roos have all been sweethearts. They're not cuddly lap chickens (I have hens for that), but every roo I had would run up to greet me and check to see if I had something yummy for them. I had a few favorites who would even follow me around like puppy dogs and keep me company. (My current SLO "Mr Wonderful" is like that.)

Two ideas about "Pikachu's" breed:
1. He could be from a blue silver laced orpington project. The lacing looked poor, so the breeder probably sold the chick off as a backyard pet rather than cull. If the chick was under 4 weeks, then the breeder probably didn't know the gender yet. OR If it was 4-6 weeks, the breeder just could have made a mistake about gender. Project birds could be hit or miss and it takes several generations of breeding to resemble the goal. In the meantime, there are a lot more culls than worthy breeders.

2. He could be a mix if the breeder has similar birds like Coronation Sussex or Delaware (something with the Colombian look) If they were bred into the laced orp project - accidentally or on purpose - then it would easily show up in future breedings.


I lean more toward the 1st theory. You could always email the breeder & ask what he/she thinks. If you are able to keep a rooster and have the space, then I think you'll like having an orp rooster around. He'll offer some predator protection to the hens and English orps are rarely ever people aggressive. If you want to breed laced orps, then I'd pass on using this guy.

BTW- Here's my project Blue SLO. Her name is Blizzard. As you can see, the lacing still needs a lot of work, but she's one of my favs.
View attachment 1910900 View attachment 1910901

Gorgeous!