How do you build YOU build a great ORPINGTON flock?

[lildinkem]

Never meant to put words in your mouth Katy.
We all have great birds. To us. I hope that is what I am trying to give everyone the feeling. Together as Orp people we need to put everyone in on the same page in having great birds. It does not bother me to give a friend here in Pendleton IN named Julie who has been trying for a year or so to get some of these Buff breeders to sell to her. They won't. I will GIVE her my Buff eggs for her to continue to turn others onto our breed. My friend Russ is getting pay back as well. He too has been snubbed. Not anymore. That is how you save and restore a breed. We don't have enough Black, White, Blue Orp people. I know, I spent a month online hunting. There just is not enough.
That has to change. The more people who have GREAT birds ( ORPS ) only helps everyone. You, me, everyone benefits. And it is more fun to watch the Orps dominate at the shows too.
So trade with people, be nice to people. Do what ever it takes to get the ball rolling.
Again this is about the breed, not the breeders.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

IDK...I'm kind of partial to Langshans...hehehehe....

A good Buff Orp is a sight to behold. A good black or blue is downright astonishing. A good white....well...I can't wait until I see one in real life!

 

[EweSheep]

Oh why did she have to sell them!!!!!!!!

Oh well, at least some one else's benefits from her Black Orps! Thanks Katy for reminding me!

Sorry I didnt give you the breeders list but you can join or visit the website UOC to get the information. Presently I am not raising any LF but BF only in Black and Blues.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I was on her list to get eggs...unfortunately she sold them before my name got to the top of the list.

 

[lildinkem]

Ms Rodriguez
I want a White too. I might have to clear out a spot for a few.
This is my Buff boy Dimetius,he is a baby, he is an Aug of last summer boy

http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL427/739981/2386315/359843162.jpg

EWESHEEP, at least someone is enjoying them. Thanks for the lead on The United orp Club. Fairly legnthy list. Nice start though.
thank you!!

 

[speckledhen]

The more people who have GREAT birds ( ORPS ) only helps everyone. You, me, everyone benefits. And it is more fun to watch the Orps dominate at the shows too.
So trade with people, be nice to people. Do what ever it takes to get the ball rolling.

Why does that sound so familiar?

I know I've heard that statement almost word for word on this forum before. Hmm.

I know Robin included me in that breeder's list, though I really do not consider myself a breeder. I have a rooster who came from Julie's earliest stock, a hen from Jim Cox who is a beauty and two younger girls from a different person. I lost a very typey hen last year to a serious case of sour crop during her hard molt, so I do not have a full stable of BBS Orps. The younger girls may fill out and bloom more later on, though, at their age, they don't hold a candle to the older hen in many ways.
The comment about sharing information sounds like we're all working in the fields together, singing, when most of what I've seen is more like jealousy, backbiting and plotting when a breeder doesn't automatically disclose every tidbit of their breeding program to the world or sell their birds to just anybody. You can't share any part of what you're doing in your breeding program without being interrogated. If a breeder asks for a critique, it's fine to give one. When they are just sharing, as you say, no critique is needed, IMO. If you like the birds, say so. If not, encourage, but don't criticize.
In the last couple of years, I've seen enough of this sparring to kill my interest in continuing my breeding program and am now focusing on an endanagered heritage breed. That said, even parent stock with flaws can produce progeny better than themselves. I've seen it in my BBS Orps and I've seen it with my Barred Rocks. One of my rooster's sons won Best Large Fowl Cockerel at a show and maybe others have that I'm not aware of, but I've also heard of really substandard birds winning at these little fairs, even some that were not the breed for which they were entered. Would I advertise them as show quality? No way! Shows really do not impress me, generally. And I would never buy a started bird, especially one at a show, due to my biosecurity concerns.

Every breeder has to choose how far they are willing to go to meet their goals. And each breeder has a slightly different goal he/she is trying to reach. Then there are the limitations of time, space and money that may alter those goals. When I post pictures of my BBS Orp flock, do I need critiques? Not unless I ask for them. I am well aware of all the traits my birds possess, bad, good or just okay. Are they show quality? Maybe one or two are, but even if they are just so-so, does that mean I should never sell hatching eggs from my flock? I sure hope no one thinks that!​

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Why does that sound so familiar?

I know I've heard that statement almost word for word on this forum before. Hmm.

I know Robin included me in that breeder's list, though I really do not consider myself a breeder. I have a rooster who came from Julie's earliest stock, a hen from Jim Cox who is a beauty and two younger girls from a different person. I lost a very typey hen last year to a serious case of sour crop during her hard molt, so I do not have a full stable of BBS Orps. The younger girls may fill out and bloom more later on, though, at their age, they don't hold a candle to the older hen in many ways.
The comment about sharing information sounds like we're all working in the fields together, singing, when most of what I've seen is more like jealousy, backbiting and plotting when a breeder doesn't automatically disclose every tidbit of their breeding program to the world or sell their birds to just anybody. You can't share any part of what you're doing in your breeding program without being interrogated. If a breeder asks for a critique, it's fine to give one. When they are just sharing, as you say, no critique is needed, IMO. If you like the birds, say so. If not, encourage, but don't criticize.
In the last couple of years, I've seen enough of this sparring to kill my interest in continuing my breeding program and am now focusing on an endanagered heritage breed. That said, even parent stock with flaws can produce progeny better than themselves. I've seen it in my BBS Orps and I've seen it with my Barred Rocks. One of my rooster's sons won Best Large Fowl Cockerel at a show and maybe others have that I'm not aware of, but I've also heard of really substandard birds winning at these little fairs, even some that were not the breed for which they were entered. Would I advertise them as show quality? No way! Shows really do not impress me, generally. And I would never buy a started bird, especially one at a show, due to my biosecurity concerns.

Every breeder has to choose how far they are willing to go to meet their goals. And each breeder has a slightly different goal he/she is trying to reach. Then there are the limitations of time, space and money that may alter those goals. When I post pictures of my BBS Orp flock, do I need critiques? Not unless I ask for them. I am well aware of all the traits my birds possess, bad, good or just okay. Are they show quality? Maybe one or two are, but even if they are just so-so, does that mean I should never sell hatching eggs from my flock? I sure hope no one thinks that!

I must not be the only one who's smelling a troll.

 

[Jeff9118]

Quote:
I couldnt of put it better myself but I wanted to add that others do have great Orpingtons. I couldnt even tell you the APA breed standard but when I picture an Orp in my head I picture the ones that some of us drool over in the UK. She has the closest I have seen to those. I think you should breed and work hard to get them how you like. I breed my chickens to my standards of how I picture the breed and never plan to show as I dont need a judge or anyone for that matter to tell me my birds are good to feel good about them and I dont need a bunch of ribbons either. I can get those at the dollar tree. My point is if you are happy with the progress and your results then that is all that matters. Keep in mind that others may have a different picture in thier head and have worked hard to get them looking that way. If they wanted them judged they would ask for opinions and maybe take them to a show. Its ok to be competitive but careful as they are proud happy poultry people. Good people who make BYC what it is. I like seeing other peoples birds and would like to keep this thread open but I fear that some would not post pics because they would be afraid of haveing thier work critisized when they may not be that far off from what you like. Most dont picture them with crest and extra toes or anything. My advice is to forget what everyone else thinks and breed for what you like and I promise you will be happy with your chickens. People on here are always willing to lend a helping hand in helping you acheive your goals too. Good luck and you will get there. Just remember the pic in your head.
If you want to find good ones then start a thread that goes into a little more detail of what you are looking for in an Orp and if you are looking for chicks, eggs ect. Some would be more likley to post pics and others would be glad to point you in the right direction.

 

[lildinkem]

Speckledhen I have heard of Jim Cox. Sounds like you have some very pretty birds. I agree everyone has their own ideals for their own flock. My goal is to keep having nice birds. And if something ever happened to them, tornado, I can count on other breeders having as good or most likely better quality. Nothing wrong with that. Sharing is great for the breed. And there are those who make it difficult. In the Ameraucana Club their much more open in sharing/selling/trading. And there's ton's more people interested in that breed. Cause there is no back stabbing. No sniping at other breeders. Maybe that is a good philosophy to adopt.

 

[Bard's Rock!]

You have a good sniffer, Katy...I do too..