Oh Cynthia!! :D (pic heavy) Introducing......

[Stormhorse23]

my orps never looked like that? one day they were fluffy, the next they were covered in feathers..

 

[Frozen Feathers]

He'll grow up to be an handsome boy in no time. Lol they grow faster then their feathers I guess.
Speckledhen- love that sparring pic!

 

[ChicknThief]

Cynthia: Yes, his legs are GREEN! I thought it odd myself because I had always associated green legs with EEs. I think that he is just the greatest thing!!


To all who thought that I really think he is ugly: I could never! I was just poking a little fun at my naked little dude! He will grow to be a gorgeous roo. I cannot wait!!!


Oh and Cyn, he is 3.5 weeks old right now. Will another 3.5 weeks make THAT much difference???

Wooohooo!!!

He will make a great breeder for sure. Right now I have him, and at least 2 black orp hens. Can you believe, out of 14 eggs from Jim Wilcox, I got 3 chicks. All are black. One is a peanut that would not have made if I had not helped it out and then hand fed it for a day or two. One is ENORMOUS. Her name is Latifah

. The other one is black and average sized. I will breed my studly boy to them to get all blue chicks and will build my breeding flock using those.

I am planning on keeping about 13-16 breeding hens, 1 blue rooster, and 1 splash rooster. This way I am pretty sure I can minimize my black hatch rate and maximize my splash hatch rate. Does that sound right?

 

[speckledhen]

Well, this little trait may solve a mystery for Christina then. My splash came from Skye-didn't your egg come from Skye that I sent? My splash came from Skye, although he has white legs. If so, that might explain this a bit. Suede and Velvet came from different stock than Skye. Christina had an Orp chick with odd yellowish legs and I believe we may have some of the same lines going on here. This is the first chick ever that I know of that has has off-color legs from my Orps and I bet anything it's Skye's baby, right? If not, I'm extremely confused.

Hey Christina, take a look at this!

 

[ChicknThief]

Cynthia, you have it pinned. It was a Skye egg!!!!

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Jess. I think I know what the problem is. I'm sorry about that-the boy really should not have that color legs or beak, either, really. He's the first of Skye's babies to have those, though, so maybe it wont be a recurring thing. I need to consult with countrygirlcleelum and I'll get back with you about it. He will grow feathers, though, I promise, LOL! And he'll be HUGE!

 

[KKluckers]

I have found out that it is Sandhill that will throws birds with yellow skin/green legs. I hatched out many from Jim Cox and he line bred his girls. So, that is why he was getting the yellow feet. Sometimes I have heard when you preserve a breed that you have to introduce new blood down the line somewhere. I have talked to many Orpington breeders and have been told usually rock blood is introduced and they cull out the chicks with bad traits(yellow skin) Sadly many variety such as the white Orps (exhibition quality) are pretty much becoming extinct, I know you can buy them from MM and other places, but I dont really consider the a good rep. of the breed (APA Standards) The gal I got my Blue orps from this weekend had some sandhill lines also. She said she fought with the yellow skin and white earlobs. She also said she sold all the ones with yellow skin. I think your boy is cute anyways...I just thought I would share some of the knowledge I have gained from other ppl.

 

[KKluckers]

Quote:
I dont think it will be a reoccurring thing with her. If you have hatched out many before that didnt have that problem. Just dont use the yellow skinned ones for breeding because they do not carry the white skin gene.

 

[DuckLady]

Awww, what a cute little man with HUGE feet!

Quote:
Oh I don't know. I saw an ugly baby once and my husband told me to keep my yap shut and only say "Oh what a beautiful baby!"

 

[speckledhen]

I appreciate the information, Christina. Yes, as far as I know, this is the first one with yellow legs that has popped up. Maybe it won't happen too often, then. I just knew it had to be Skye's baby, just knew it. My splash boy I have from her right now does have proper leg color, so maybe it isn't that bad then.