English Silver Laced Orpingtons

[McCoyPoultry]

Hey everyone! It's me again! I am starting this thread strictly for Silver Laced Orps and the Projects we plan to do with these birds! I am working with @mitchellhatchery and we plan to do a new breeding program toghether! I am not sure if he wants me to share the secrets yet. LOL

but I can give a spoiler. We will be breeding NEW blood in the Silver Pool!! This will help with the inbreeding! If you have had any Silver and they just kille over dead PLEASE say something here! Where did you get them? How old were they? What were the symptoms? If any at all. I actully bought 2 Pure Silver for $240! Which is a great deaal! I was so excited since they were the first I had ever had but sadly I spoke to soon. 3 weeks later they died. But I emailed the breeder and he is send new chicks! I am not gonna get to excited yet. If they reach breeding age then I will start jumpin up and down!

 

[mitchellhatchery]

Let me step in and say that it's not the big breeders . but people go pay big money for chicks when they get old enough to breed there breeding brother to sister .and they sell chicks to others there breeding brother to sister this behavior has to stop we need to diversify are flocks no matter what breed you have .for a starter be picky don't buy all from one breeder buy pullets pay a little more then go buy a couple cockerels from a different line. In the long run you will have healthier chickens better ammune systems less illness .less dead birds.
A system that great is find a friend interested in the same breed you buy from one and they buy from a totally different breeder straight runs then swap roos now you started diversity.

 

[RginaC]

I am a first timer. I would love some input on the sex of my 3 SL orpingtons. Thanks!

 

[tiga70]

Three beautiful cockerels I think. Does one of the cockerels have yellow legs?

 

[RginaC]

Yes he does- he will not be used in my flock because of it. He will be culled-- I have been disappointed about that, but have heard it sometimes happens. I was hoping to have at least one hen...oh well - I guess I'll be looking to buy a couple of hens again!

 

[OnlyOrps]

Wow yellow legs? That's odd... seems like maybe they're from a project and not imported? Or do import birds show up with this? I would suggest you buy hens from @rockinpaints because I've bought isabels, mottleds and chocolates from her and she's immaculate in her procedures. The birds have always been on time, in great health and I haven't even gotten a feathered leg on any of them. She's great with follow up advice and care, she really loves the birds even after she sells them. I bet her silvers all have proper colored legs

 

[rockinpaints]

This should never happen this is what we're taking on this project you spent hard earned money on something you can't use .stay away from the breeders I have a very strong idea where these came from and who bred them to have this . May I ask where did these come from?

Yes that can happen even in other imported birds. It is not desirable and should not be used for breeding, however it is not the fault of the person who imported them. The idea of creating a new color is because it is not available in that breed. Sometimes it is imperative to use a bird from another breed to get the desirable color, thus some feather shanks- probably from breeders in the UK using Cochins for the partridge gene or red, the two varieties with the most feathered shanks, and some yellow skin, depending on what was used for the gene.

Unfortunately with inbreeding, as is the case with a lot of the birds that are imported, it will double up on a particular gene and bring out "hiding flaws" like yellow legs. Why is it being seen in more of Byces birds, probably because right now he is producing the most SL chicks.

It happens, cull them, or just don't use them for breeding

 

[rockinpaints]

As far as I know all silver laced breeds except Orpingtons have yellow legs. Thus making it difficult to introduce the gene without also introducing certain disqualifications or faults to the Orpington breed, needing generations of breeding and culling to eliminate the excess baggage like yellow legs or leg feathers. And still it will occasionally raise it's ugly head. I have seen yellow legs even in Buff Orps years before people began to import (not mine). The bottom line is that they need to be culled whether that be putting them in an egg laying pen, pet home or eating them.

I know it is not easy to cull birds when you pay so much for them

Unfortunately it is not always evident as youngsters that the legs will be yellow. A lot of Orps hatch with yellowish legs but turn pink. I have also seen white legs turn yellow as they mature. And I have seen chicks with clean legs get some stubbles or a feather between toes by the time they mature. So a breeder is not always able to avoid sending chicks that might have faults, nor do they always end up with the perfect bird when they import. It is best to avoid inbreeding as much as possible to avoid doubling up on undesirable genes.

If you know what all is in your line sometimes inbreeding or line breeding will bring out some really good qualities but many time traits pop up that you never even knew was there............

Good luck with the Silver Lace Orps, they are beautiful!

 

[mitchellhatchery]

Don't let the cat out of the bag yet

 

[McCoyPoultry]

Don't let the cat out of the bag yet

Trying not to!!!! So excited!!!! It's so hard lol!!!!!