Lavender Orpington project ....

[hinkjc]

Greenfamilyfarms, are you breeding for orps using cochins? I thought you were working on large fowl lav cochins. If the latter, you want to keep the foot feathering. If you're going towards orps, it will take several generations to clean out feather legs.

 

[Tomhusker]

I hope I didn't give the impression that I was interested in breeding my lavs. I only have a few and they are eye candy only..... and egg factories. I failed biology miserably and have no interest in producing chicks with 3 eyes and plaid feathering.

 

[hinkjc]

Tom, you're welcome to post regardless of why you are raising them. Personally, I am breeding them to conformation, however they are eye candy for me too. I just love the breed, so for me it's more personal enjoyment than anything and I do truly enjoy working with them. They make great layers to boot. Have fun with them.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

They are eye candy for sure and my best egg layers! Dependable girls!!!

 

[HenThymes]

I am happy to report that I set 12 eggs 14 days ago and all 12 are still vital and growing!!

Will be keeping only the best out of the group for my next set of improvements.

I also had a serama hen with infertile eggs go broody so I said what the hay and gave her 5 lav eggs to sit on, she seems pretty content with her clutch. She is on day 5.

 

[hinkjc]

That is great! I hope they all hatch for you.

 

[Cowgirlgrace]

Have a question about feather quality on the Lavender Orps. This is my first year aquireing and raising these birds. I plan to continue the project and I already have some very nice exhibition Black Orps to cross my Pure Lavs back to. I hatched some pure chicks (3 hens and a roo) and also purchased 7 straight run chicks (6 roos and a hen from the same breeder as the eggs, makes you wonder if the breeder knew how to sex them! LOL) Regardless, I love them all but need to cull a few roos. Is the Lavender/self blue color a weaker color as far as feathers go? My roos are 4 and 5 months and they have some really scruffy looking feathers. Each individual feather is all separated along the shaft. They look like they went through a tornado. Is this common for Lav Orps? and will it correct itself after the first moult? They are in a normal environment and are not harrassed by other chickens nor do they fight. Is it genetic? or diet? or normal???? They are fed an all purpose and a gamebird 50/50 mix. Plus they get to free range and gets scraps from the garden. Should I keep the best looking roos otherwise and see if the feathering corrects itself? Any info would be great. Thanks!

 

[hinkjc]

The lavender gene does seem to affect feather quality. I would encourage ongoing selection for the best plumage, along with conformation towards breed.

 

[HenThymes]

Come on Friday!!!

Just put all 12 into lockdown, one is questionable?? (not giving up hope) but everyone else is looking great.

 

[wilds of pa]

HenThymes hope they all hatch for you..

ps..sent some hatching dust your way for good hatching vibes..