Lavender Orpington project ....

[DCasper]

Jeremy, thanks for the info. I will give it a shot and see where it goes.

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Here are my now 17 week old Lavender Orpingtons hatched on 10/12/11 from purchased eggs. We believe we have 4 pullets and 1 rooster - Francis - confirmed by his recent crowing.
My question - what is the typical age for them to begin laying? They have been interested in the nest box, eating Layer pellets and oyster shell.

This is Iris...she laid her 1st egg last week at 9 months old

 

[bobbieschicks]

What a cute set up! Your girls look pretty good. (is one a blue?) You don't always see a nice "bustle" like that in the lavs.

Thanks - don't let them fool you - they share that space with 2 white leghorns, an EE, an Ancona & 2 silkies. But they act like they own the place

I got the hatching eggs off eBay from seller Bellamichella who stated they were "pure lavender orpington hatching eggs + splits" and then went on to describe them as Hinkjc pure lavender opringtons hens and roos AND split black lavender hens - some will be splits, some pure lavender. She also stated its possible to hatch all lavenders. So I don't know - I thought they were all lavender because they all have similar coloring and attributes & none are dark colored like I would assume a split would be. Maybe some are "blue" - I don't know if I could tell the difference as I'm so new to chickens.

I got the LOs eggs because I love the look of the lavender birds & wanted a light brown egg layer - they are so gorgeous!

 

[bobbieschicks]

This is Iris...she laid her 1st egg last week at 9 months old

9 MONTHS! Wonderful - that means they won't be laying until June!

Oh well - at least they are beautiful - they've got that on their side.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Nooooo- 9 months is not "the rule". It all depends on when they hatched, what kind of sunlight you have, where you live...many things factor into that. I have had several orps start laying at 6 months, and I don't supplement light at all.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Nooooo- 9 months is not "the rule". It all depends on when they hatched, what kind of sunlight you have, where you live...many things factor into that. I have had several orps start laying at 6 months, and I don't supplement light at all.

Phew!

That's much better to hear

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

Nooooo- 9 months is not "the rule". It all depends on when they hatched, what kind of sunlight you have, where you live...many things factor into that. I have had several orps start laying at 6 months, and I don't supplement light at all.

Iris was hatched in May. I live in Scottsdale, AZ. Plenty of sun here and we have the lights on a timer for the winter. I have many other breeds of chickens that laid their first egg around 5-6 months. I say Iris marches to the beat to her own drummer. She is a little "slower" than the other girls. I am sure that this is why she was a late bloomer. I am just happy that she lays eggs and she has been just about every day now.

 

[bobbieschicks]

What will the comb of a new layer pullet look like? I'm used to the White Leghorn and Ancona combs being big and bent over, but all the pictures I see of LOs show shorter & straight combs. I am still trying to determine how close they might be to laying. Thanks!

My beautiful 18 week old rooster Francis - his crow is still very rusty, but cute


One of the girls passing cautiously by Foghorn


And sitting together on a warm day

 

[3GChicks]

Your chickens are beautiful! We have 1 week old buff orpington, and now that I see your chickens I want to get some lavender one lol.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Per the Standard of Perfection, an Orpington has a medium comb. The hen's combs should not lay over like a Leghorn.

What will the comb of a new layer pullet look like? I'm used to the White Leghorn and Ancona combs being big and bent over, but all the pictures I see of LOs show shorter & straight combs. I am still trying to determine how close they might be to laying. Thanks!

My beautiful 18 week old rooster Francis - his crow is still very rusty, but cute


One of the girls passing cautiously by Foghorn


And sitting together on a warm day