How do you build YOU build a great ORPINGTON flock?

[lildinkem]

Katy
Russ is one of these breeders I am asking to hear more about. The next time IF you ever hear of a Russ Milkey, you can use me as a reference of the quality that can be found in a small time guy backyard.
hinkjc Just like what you said about learning from someone who has done this for 40 plus years. He knows more then many of us. And his attitude, is to go to shows, see what you like. Find breeders you like or heard great things about and approach them and ask. IF that show bird breeders birds suck, that will get around real fast. It is hard to dodge the spot light when you reach that level.
I know there is no big money in this. I do feel some breeders over estimate their quality, and build up their lines, all cause they have one famous breeders cockerel, and then ask a super amount for a few eggs. I like the breeders, who have no fear of what everyone else is doing, they do their own thing. They trade eggs with fellow breeders so everyone can have nice birds. That is what will get this breed into the next century. Not, all this not selling or trading stuff cause these breeders are afraid of loosing at the show or money for their eggs. Because now everyone will have great birds. I plan on trading, giving away eggs to people who like to see what an Orp is about. These type of breeders fear me. I want more people to have ORPS. And like them!!

 

[lildinkem]

Missprissy
I judge a breeder by the birds he has. I want to touch, feel, sniff the birds. The immediately take a shower when I get home LOL

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Sounds to me like someone in here has an issue with reputable breeders that have good birds.

The point of a website is to get the birds under the noses of potential buyers. Word of mouth does that as well. Some go with the Poultry Press, old timers who have been there for 40 years go by word of mouth and others who have good birds but haven't been in the game as long go by website.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Thank you, but I don't think I'll be using your bird or him as a reference for a quality backyard breeder. She doesn't look like a bad bird, but she is not what I would want to add to my flock......I agree with Julie that she looks to be on the small side.

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
I have heard of Doug Akers and he is good in what he sees at the shows. I agree with the comment about "learning from someone who has done this for 40 plus years. He knows more then many of us. And his attitude, is to go to shows, see what you like. Find breeders you like or heard great things about and approach them and ask. IF that show bird breeders birds suck, that will get around real fast. It is hard to dodge the spot light when you reach that level." some of us can benefit it!


In my experience some judges in that local show would choose the best cockeral of his class and there is no other cockerals that can beat him not necessarily means he is the BEST. If you can take the cockeral to speciality shows, you can get your proof in the pudding if you do have the best cockeral there is.

I had a Blue Orp cockeral that won several shows, top of his class but is he the best of all the Orps combined? No, he isn't and he might place second or third of his class in a speciality show but thats pretty far fetched for me to determine my rooster will place.

As far as I know, Gail still has her black Orps as it was noted on the Orp breeders list. There are plenty of black Orp breeders out there but they are very selective who they will sell their chicks or eggs to. Not everyone sees eye to eye with Gail and her birds but they are all good birds and whatever the judges chooses, it may not be the perfect bird there is.

Not only Gail is a good breeder but there are others just as good as she is or better, depending on what I am looking for and be able to work with the breeders so they can give me their input what lines to work from. some will say avoid Gail's lines because they did try it and it failed miserably by bringing out the bad traits and others say, do cross with Gail's lines because it worked for them. If the breeder can work with you and guide you, there is nothing to lose.

I've had Orps off and on for many years but got into seriously about three years ago and I do have alot to learn. There are plenty of BYCers you can choose from to buy eggs and chicks from and do your homework well. I can vouch for many of them in here such as Miss Prissy, BamaChicken, SpeckledHen, Jimhappycowboy, Hinkcj, wilds of PA, and too many to mention are ALL excellent breeders in my opinion. They work hard to get to the breed where it needs to go and be able to achieve their own goals in perfecting the breed like it should be.

 

[lildinkem]

EWESHEEP Thank you for the breeders list. I am open to purchasing from any of these breeders. And hatch everyones out and let you folks vote on which to keep.
Sounds like a GREAT IDEA!!
Then you guys know, who is selling the goods that fits for your program.
And I am very happy for you Katy. It must be nice to have great birds. I am new, and hope someday to be worthy.
Here is my GAIL line pullet

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL427/739981/21043320/362282853.jpg

Prolly as small, for a pullet as the other. But, she'll do for now. LOLOL
Hopefully one of these birds I hope to get will help out in that category.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Please don't put words in my mouth....I never said I've got great birds. I like the ones I've got and for the most part they're pretty decent, but I know they're not the best they could be someday.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I have heard of Doug Akers and he is good in what he sees at the shows. I agree with the comment about "learning from someone who has done this for 40 plus years. He knows more then many of us. And his attitude, is to go to shows, see what you like. Find breeders you like or heard great things about and approach them and ask. IF that show bird breeders birds suck, that will get around real fast. It is hard to dodge the spot light when you reach that level." some of us can benefit it!


In my experience some judges in that local show would choose the best cockeral of his class and there is no other cockerals that can beat him not necessarily means he is the BEST. If you can take the cockeral to speciality shows, you can get your proof in the pudding if you do have the best cockeral there is.

I had a Blue Orp cockeral that won several shows, top of his class but is he the best of all the Orps combined? No, he isn't and he might place second or third of his class in a speciality show but thats pretty far fetched for me to determine my rooster will place.

As far as I know, Gail still has her black Orps as it was noted on the Orp breeders list. There are plenty of black Orp breeders out there but they are very selective who they will sell their chicks or eggs to. Not everyone sees eye to eye with Gail and her birds but they are all good birds and whatever the judges chooses, it may not be the perfect bird there is.

Not only Gail is a good breeder but there are others just as good as she is or better, depending on what I am looking for and be able to work with the breeders so they can give me their input what lines to work from. some will say avoid Gail's lines because they did try it and it failed miserably by bringing out the bad traits and others say, do cross with Gail's lines because it worked for them. If the breeder can work with you and guide you, there is nothing to lose.

I've had Orps off and on for many years but got into seriously about three years ago and I do have alot to learn. There are plenty of BYCers you can choose from to buy eggs and chicks from and do your homework well. I can vouch for many of them in here such as Miss Prissy, BamaChicken, SpeckledHen, Jimhappycowboy, Hinkcj, wilds of PA, and too many to mention are ALL excellent breeders in my opinion. They work hard to get to the breed where it needs to go and be able to achieve their own goals in perfecting the breed like it should be.

Gayle (Catalpa) no longer has her Black Orps. She sold them off last year.

 

[lildinkem]

LOL I have been butchering the spelling of Gayle's name. I am sorry. she has really nice White Orps now. We need more White Orp people too.

 

[sara]

Quote:
I agree with Katy here. I see a lot of people say show winning stock and I think they might be showing at a tiny county fair.