Looking to start a blue/splash Orpington flock in NC

[speckledhen]

Marlon's experience is pretty typical for most of us who have the Blue Orpington flocks. We hatch several batches of shipped eggs (the only way we can get them) to get just a few nice birds. They are very susceptible to shipping stress. It's so worth it, though, in the end. It takes years sometimes to get a good, well-rounded flock of these beauties.

 

[jebrab]

I agree that shipping the blue orp eggs is very hard on them. I have had extremely good luck so far this year with my eggs that were shipped out to BYC members. First 2 batches were 10/12 and 7/10 and one more possible on the last one. I hope everyone who has ordered eggs from me this year has as good of luck!

If you want to raise blue orps, be patient and keep trying! They are so worth it!

I wonder why shipping this particular breed is so hard on them?


If you are interested in eggs, I will possibly have another batch to send out in a couple of weeks.

Good luck!!

Jane

 

[scgamecock]

I know and I definately wasn't refering to your egg's as my problem.I really appreciate you being so gracious as to working me into your busy list.I was just pointing out that even though they only had to come a short distance and the hatch still wasn't good.After reading about some people going thru several dozen eggs and having a zero hatch makes me feel fortunate to have the one I got.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I have no idea why shipping is so stressful but it really is...I've tried for 2 years now to get to a decent size flock of Blue/Black/Splash...I've had from 0 hatches to 2 out of 12 to 10 out of 12...its just a toss up til the hatch is over......I'm sitting here now biting my nails for a good hatch to happen...

Very lucky when you can get a hatch from shipped blue orps....

Mine have almost all either went broody now on me or down to one egg a day....

 

[scgamecock]

Are Blue Orps typically broody alot?I love my 3 BLRW's but I can't hardly keep them off the nest.one quits and another one starts.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I have 3 Broody Blue Orp hens...lol...these are worse then the Buffs to go Broody!!...

 

[speckledhen]

I know and I definately wasn't refering to your egg's as my problem.I really appreciate you being so gracious as to working me into your busy list.I was just pointing out that even though they only had to come a short distance and the hatch still wasn't good.After reading about some people going thru several dozen eggs and having a zero hatch makes me feel fortunate to have the one I got.

Oh, Marlon, I didn't think you were! I was just reconfirming what you were saying. And I would love to get you more in a few weeks, if you want.
Neither of my two hens have ever gone broody, so I cant say about that aspect.​

 

[jab91864]

My personal opinion.... not that it amounts to much... is there is a defect in the blue gene or mutation if you will that has weakened the lines.

I have a beautiful blue orp roo but I went through a lot of eggs to get him.... trying to hatch blues and splashes only is going to be frustrating so just be prepared.

I have some wonderful huge blue marans that I hatched in January and I think they have finally satisfied my gotta have the blues craving...lol. I look out at my flock and my brooders and am starting to think too much blue and black need to go with lighter colors for the rainbow...lol

Julie

 

[scgamecock]

Cool just let me know.I have my April swap eggs on day 5 now so anytime after two weeks from now will be just fine.I have found a source to get Blue,Black,and Splash Wyandotte eggs and I want to try some of them too.I love the rose combs of the wyandotte's and everyone that I have has the best temperment except for my Columbian's.For some reason they have never warmed up to being held.I'm a sucker for a pretty chick you know.There's just one request, can you sneak one or two of Meg's egg's in the box?

 

[MissPrissy]

I have a 25 week old pair of ble orps and 29 blue/black splash chicks on the ground (30 if you count my mttled chick).

Of the 30 - so far it looks like - 4 splashes, 5 blacks, 21 blues. I am not sure of the cockeral to pullet ratio yet.

To date I have purchased and incubated 147 eggs to get those chicks. Either the eggs never develop or they start and quit before day 18 or you have a sad number of them that pip and then Die in the shell before they can hatch.

It has been a lot of work for those little chicks and they are treated like gold. Pampered and petted they are.

My older pair are mating but the pullet is not laying yet. These big birds take a while to get geared up for egg laying. Not only are you investing time and money in getting eggs, more time and effort in hatching eggs, then raising chicks through the hardest first 6 weeks when things can go wrong quick you have to invest even more time to get them up to the point of lay and hope you have a fertile cockeral and a hen they will lay.

I don't regret one dime or one minute of effort I have put into them. These are what I want and I am willing to work for them.

However, with some of the stories I have been hearing lately about a certain hatchery that breeds them I would NEVER buy their chicks. No, thanks. They don't stand behind the chicks they are breeding and people are getting short changed on quality.