Fingers crossed...Russian Orloff roo or pullet?

[Ducksandchickens]

Pullet!

 

[Gray Farms]

Agreed, spangled one is a pullet. Congrats on the Mahogany cockerel though, this pattern is hard to find.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Cockerel
Pullet

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with Gray Farms

 

[MaryZoe]

Agreed, spangled one is a pullet. Congrats on the Mahogany cockerel though, this pattern is hard to find.

Now if I just had a mahogany pullet to breed with him. I have just the two Orloffs. How would it affect the colors if I breed the two? I got them both as part of a Greenfire Farms rare breed auction of day old chicks. I'd be tempted to order more of their rare breed auctions in hopes of getting more Orloffs, but I consistently get way heavy cockerel to pullet ratios from their auctions. I'm talking 9 cockerels to 3 pullets in the last auction I got from them, 8 to 4 in the previous and my best was a 7 to 5 (can't complain about that one). But all together those three auctions left me with an ABSURD number of roos I've had to get rid of and just a few hens to keep. I lost money, needless to say....

 

[Gray Farms]

Your pullet a spangle I assume? I'd breed them. Then breed pullet offspring back to their father. And cockerel offspring back to their mother. In a few years you'll have breeding groups of both colors. In Orloffs the pattern is secondary to the type though. You want to breed for strong stout legs that are evenly spaced and not knock kneed. A strong "menacing" brow. A moderately short, stout, slightly downward curved beak. A full symmetrical beard. A tall carriage and broad chest. Produce as many offspring as you can and let them mature to at least 10 months old before picking you breeding stock. Some will be able to be sorted out early due to major defects. But let you potential breeders mature fully.

 

[MaryZoe]

Your pullet a spangle I assume? I'd breed them. Then breed pullet offspring back to their father. And cockerel offspring back to their mother. In a few years you'll have breeding groups of both colors. In Orloffs the pattern is secondary to the type though. You want to breed for strong stout legs that are evenly spaced and not knock kneed. A strong "menacing" brow. A moderately short, stout, slightly downward curved beak. A full symmetrical beard. A tall carriage and broad chest. Produce as many offspring as you can and let them mature to at least 10 months old before picking you breeding stock. Some will be able to be sorted out early due to major defects. But let you potential breeders mature fully.

Extremely helpful, thank you! I will do this. They're good looking birds.

 

[Gray Farms]

Extremely helpful, thank you! I will do this. They're good looking birds.

I've raised them for a few years now. I really like them. They are very docile birds, good layers, and good broodys.

 

[MaryZoe]

I agree about their docility. My little pullet is one of my friendliest birds--always coming right up to me to eat treats from my hand--which was another reason I suspected she might be a roo until these last messages. I initially intended to sell them as a couple, but I just like her too much. And her hubby is a handsome fella as well.

 

[Gray Farms]

My mature 2-3 year old males have almost a regal look to them if the makes sense. Similar to how Brahmas carry themselves.