Updated picture of our Rooster "Diva" at 6 Months old and finally grew into his legs.
Lavender Orpington Thread
- Thread starter OrpieLover31
- Start date
- Jun 18, 2014
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He is beautiful!!!Updated picture of our Rooster "Diva" at 6 Months old and finally grew into his legs.
- Jul 12, 2014
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Very good looking roo. Hope mine look this good!
We just got rid of our EE rooster b/c he crowed all day, over-mated the hens causing baldness, and technically wasn't allowed. He was a dream with the kids though (He let my daughter do anything to him - like play dress up.) and still kept his hens in line & chased hawks away. Although roosters are not allowed, our neighbors didn't mind so we took our time (about 1 year) in finding him a new home. Not only do we miss our sweet EE roo, but now the hens wander all over the yard. In the last week, four different neighbors mentioned that they haven't heard our boy. They went as far to say that they enjoyed hearing him & watching him strut. (I certainly didn't expect that.)
So my question is: What are these big Orpingtions like? Do the roos crow a lot? What does it sound like -how loud, deep, long? Because they're heavy, do they damage the hens? (Our old roo never got "permission" from the girls. He just chased them down or tricked them with treats.) Do they deter predators well? Could they become aggressive toward people?
Our boy Tank (almost 14 weeks) is docile & not as outgoing as our former roo. We were planning on getting rid of him, but I miss not having a roo around. All of Tank's "brothers" were already sold, so he's out last boy. I'd like to hear a few rooster stories to help in our decision. From our past visitors, I heard that most roosters don't care to be around people & one that does not attack would be considered friendly. Is that really true? Will adult roosters no longer eat out of your hand? At what age do you know if he'll turn aggressive? At what age should he begin to crow?
So my question is: What are these big Orpingtions like? Do the roos crow a lot? What does it sound like -how loud, deep, long? Because they're heavy, do they damage the hens? (Our old roo never got "permission" from the girls. He just chased them down or tricked them with treats.) Do they deter predators well? Could they become aggressive toward people?
Our boy Tank (almost 14 weeks) is docile & not as outgoing as our former roo. We were planning on getting rid of him, but I miss not having a roo around. All of Tank's "brothers" were already sold, so he's out last boy. I'd like to hear a few rooster stories to help in our decision. From our past visitors, I heard that most roosters don't care to be around people & one that does not attack would be considered friendly. Is that really true? Will adult roosters no longer eat out of your hand? At what age do you know if he'll turn aggressive? At what age should he begin to crow?
I had an Orpington Roo that I regret getting rid of... I didn't know until after we got rid of him that he had been keeping our neighbors pitbull at bay. We got rid of him and within a week lost all of our ducks and all but three of our chickens! That is why I am growing out some lavenders right now, oddly enough hoping that of the 4 I get at least 1 roo (preferably 2 so I can be a little more selective in who I keep, but not 3 because I want a couple hens as well. I'm not asking to much am I?.
Long and short of it, I highly recommend Orpingtons as roo's. They have a beautiful crow, but in my experience don't crow a lot.
Long and short of it, I highly recommend Orpingtons as roo's. They have a beautiful crow, but in my experience don't crow a lot.
We currently have 7 Orpington Roos. 2 Lavender, 2 Blue, 1 Black, & 2 Young Buffs. As far as crowing I cannot say ours crow a lot. Just heard one of the Blues (5 Months) the other day and he wasn't very skilled at crowing as of yet. Still haven't heard the other Blue yet.
Our Lavender "Diva" is our oldest and he only crows when startled, the same with our other lavender Roo.
"Diva" is our tamest, then "Hansel" (our other Lavender), [Probably because the Mrs. and I spent a lot of time with them, almost to the point of house pets], then would be our Black, the 2 blues, and last but not least the Buffs.
There are a total of 10 Roosters (Most are young yet) in our flock, not counting our separated ones. "Diva" is the oldest and also top rooster, "Hansel" a close second, then would be our Ameraucana Roos, and the Blues and Black quietly in the background.
As far as mating, "Diva" is quite the suitor when it comes to the hens. He does his special dance and if the hen squats, then it's on, otherwise he just walks away. "Hansel" on the other hand is more of an opportunist, except for when he's courting our Lavender hen "Gretel". I have never seen him more than 10 feet away from her and he protects her from all the other chickens in our flock.
As far as predators, I have seen both our Lavenders patrolling the fence whenever a cat would walk by. When our puppy (Black Lab/Blue Heeler/Border Collie) and I go into the pen, "Diva" and "Hansel" both keep a close eye on him and if he gets to close or tries to "play" with a chicken, they surround him pretty quickly.
We haven't had our Orp Roos long enough to tell if they are aggressive, but we doubt it.
We highly recommend Orp Roos!
Our Lavender "Diva" is our oldest and he only crows when startled, the same with our other lavender Roo.
"Diva" is our tamest, then "Hansel" (our other Lavender), [Probably because the Mrs. and I spent a lot of time with them, almost to the point of house pets], then would be our Black, the 2 blues, and last but not least the Buffs.
There are a total of 10 Roosters (Most are young yet) in our flock, not counting our separated ones. "Diva" is the oldest and also top rooster, "Hansel" a close second, then would be our Ameraucana Roos, and the Blues and Black quietly in the background.
As far as mating, "Diva" is quite the suitor when it comes to the hens. He does his special dance and if the hen squats, then it's on, otherwise he just walks away. "Hansel" on the other hand is more of an opportunist, except for when he's courting our Lavender hen "Gretel". I have never seen him more than 10 feet away from her and he protects her from all the other chickens in our flock.
As far as predators, I have seen both our Lavenders patrolling the fence whenever a cat would walk by. When our puppy (Black Lab/Blue Heeler/Border Collie) and I go into the pen, "Diva" and "Hansel" both keep a close eye on him and if he gets to close or tries to "play" with a chicken, they surround him pretty quickly.
We haven't had our Orp Roos long enough to tell if they are aggressive, but we doubt it.
We highly recommend Orp Roos!
Ladies & Gentlemen...Drum roll, please...Introducing Princess Leia:
She is so tiny & friendly, hops up in our hands whenever we put them into the brooder. In the sunlight she almost glows green. I love her!
She is so tiny & friendly, hops up in our hands whenever we put them into the brooder. In the sunlight she almost glows green. I love her!
- Jun 18, 2014
- 522
- 50
- 138
beautiful!!!Ladies & Gentlemen...Drum roll, please...Introducing Princess Leia:
She is so tiny & friendly, hops up in our hands whenever we put them into the brooder. In the sunlight she almost glows green. I love her!
How cute! I love they way she looks!Ladies & Gentlemen...Drum roll, please...Introducing Princess Leia:
We have a white Easter Egger named "Princess Lay-a" and a "Bantam Menace" (orig named Cookie but her nickname is more appropriate.) She's our only tiny hen.
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