New Jersey

[kahlua]

Mine loved oatmeal (uncooked) and bread. It takes them time to be willing to try new things, they'll freak out at first but they'll get over it eventually. It helps a lot if you let them get a little hungry!

 

[mame1616]

You guys should grab those Orloffs - it's a nice breed. New birds should get a dose of Frontline, as well and being wormed - all of them should, if they haven't yet. See if you can borrow or buy a wire dog crate to put the new bird in for several days, and put the crate where the others can walk around it and see and hear the new bird, and she can see and hear the flock. after several days, let the new girl out for the day with the flock, but give her a couple more nights in the crate until they get their pecking order established. Then, after a full day out with the flock, you can let the new girl go to bed with the flock. After adopting this method, I've reduced a great deal of the fighting while they figure out where the new ones fit in. But, I also have the luxury of a big coop to put the cage in. It can be a pain to move the new bird and the cage every day, but this method really does help.

Diana, you can give the babies pretty much anything you eat - just chop it up real small, especially the collards, and feed it to them from your fingers. They may scoff at some things initially, but they eventually take it. My girls eat everything, and love when it's time to empty the fridge. I just grind everything up in the processor, ad add either liquid or dry ingredients until it is the consistency of oatmeal, and put it in a big dish. It's like a feeding frenzy. In the winter, they love a big batch of regular hot oatmeal.

 

[llandry]

This is great advice! Thanks Mame1616.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

I want an Orloff so bad but I have no room!

 

[mame1616]

Kahlua, you're not in Hope proper, are you? The town with the chicken conjugal visits? What a joke!

Those are nice Orloffs, BTW. Where did you get them?

 

[kahlua]

I have no idea what you mean by chicken conjugal visits! LOL I thought all it was known for was the Land of Make Believe. I am about 3 miles outside of Hope though.

The Orloffs came from Ideal. For hatchery birds, I think the quality isn't bad at all. I ordered a bunch and culled or sold about 75% of them. Two had no beards, one or two had pea combs, some had feathered legs. But I kept the nicest to grow out. The cockerel I have is NICE. I am planning to breed them next year. I may take a road trip in the spring to get some from a breeder in upstate NY that is supposed to have really nice Orloffs. I do want to improve on what I have, but I can't spend a fortune on shipped eggs and I haven't found them anywhere else for a reasonable price. So I'll travel

My chickens are sold. A super nice guy from JC just came out and took all but one or two. One I had to keep (the JG) because my rooster ripped a hole in her neck right before the guy was supposed to come So I'll keep her, at least until she heals up. He also took one of the Ameraucana boys (even though it bit him when he tried to pet it LOL).

I did keep one of the Orloffs that I've been going back and forth about selling. I am attached to her, she's the friendliest by far. But she's got duck feet, where her back toe points forward, which is a DQ. I hate to get too sentimental, but I guess I can keep one "pet" chicken!

 

[LilNugget]

Oh no! Well, I snoozed so I lose, lol.
Sorry to hear about your JG, that's sad.
If you change your mind about selling the last orloff, I can come up Saturday afternoon.

 

[LilNugget]

Any idea what age/breed??

 

[LilNugget]

 

[kahlua]

Sorry LilNugget, I meant to PM you all day, but got caught up at work. I was thinking you could take the last Orloff if you still wanted to come up - or you could take the JG, I wouldn't charge you anything for her. We could see how she looks on Saturday and you can take your pick. Her wound is superficial, I just didn't want to sell her to someone with a fresh cut on her neck. But by this weekend I imagine she should be much improved.
It's up to you No pressure now that the extras are (mostly) gone!