orpington Question

[jack bache]

i dont its just that i was going to get them beacause i had room.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
That's what they're supposed to look like? Wow. My hatchery stock buff orpington looks nothing like this beauty! She's close to the same color, but not nearly as big or fluffy looking.

 

[jack bache]

well im a very wealthy man and i dont want to throw my money around so some advise would be nice about the orpington breed. How do i tell if it is a good breed or not.

 

[Phantom_Rooster]

I edited out my remarks because I wanted to. Sorry if anyone is offended. It was better suited for a PM. I hope anyone who reads this has a good day.

 

[Mum]

Quote:
Whether they are a "good" breed or not depends very much on what you require of them.

Orpingtons are a meat and egg bird. Although they look large, most of that is feathers.

They are a placid breed and make great broodies.

I have two orpingtons (I'm UK) and they are delightful birds.

What are you looking for in a breed?

 

[iajewel]

I have SQ Blues and blacks and almost never sell them. When I do have them for sale, they go fast at just about what ever I want for them. I have however never ask THAT price.. WOW.... just WOW..

 

[iajewel]

A for Orpingtons being a "good breed" I think "good" is in the eye of the beholder. Its what you want. I have had Orphingtons for over 20yrs. Started with Buffs and have had the Blues ( blacks and splashes) before they had splash. It used to be whites and blacks, now you don't ever see whites in the blue lines. Just to show my age a bit LOL.
They have survived as a breed on my farm because they are useful. If you see my webpage you can read more about them and why I don't have any other breed.
I can take chicks out of the incubator and hand them directly over to a hen and she will do a bang up job. I had one hen last year that almost gave her life for chicks she didn't even hatch. A coon was dragging her down the hill when I shot him. The hen was ripped open and her gutts hanging out. She had never really been handled but I was able to stitch her up with out help as she stayed quiet so I could help her. In order not to stress her I put her back with her chicks and she not only continued to raise them, even though I know she was in pain, she is alive only due to her mothering ability and will to live for those chicks. She will be a foster again this year. This is the sort of respect these birds demand as mothers.
They lay good sized eggs all winter long. They forage well, they are calm, and easy to handle. I have only had one rooster in all these years that was aggressive. I kept him to help train the guardian dogs. Pups get the picture fast when a rooster puts them in their place. The cockerels can be held longer to see how they mature and extras butchered older and still very good, even for frying when held back. I just don't have a bad thing to say about these birds. I admire them, I respect them, and they have fed my family in a way that few breeds could. Try raising 2 teen boys with a breed that won't produce.
In that time my kids wanted to show at APA shows. They never failed to come home with top honors. I now have the 50/50 UK, US strain and although fertility has dropped since I did that, It is now picking back up as I have made a few tweeks in the breedings. I haven't shown for years, but.. I do plan to show this year, not knowing what the fad is these days.. Im sure that the old tried and true Orph will alwasy hold its own.

Im a bit prejudice, however I do think this breed is worth any investment for your homestead, or your show string. They are wonderful with children, pets and will never let you down. Thats just my opinion, but its an opinion this breed worked hard in my home to create.

 

[D&S Farms]

here mine

 

[iajewel]

To give you an idea of what sort of mothers they are, there is a photo of a young hen that jumped over to the guinea brooder and became mom.



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Here she is older, still taking them "under her wing" Her wings are clipped, so its a bit hard for her, but.. you can see the true nature of this young hen.



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The Guinea are grown now and she is happy being a chicken. I don't even know what one she is anymore. I do know that come spring, Im sure she will do a great job, just like the rest of them. I did find it interesting that a hen this young, would have the drive she did.

 

[lildinkem]

Some of the best Exhibition Orp breeders I know only sell their Orps around $25 give or take $5. I bought a nice Buff cock from Doug Akers for $20. I would not sell him for a $100. Most of our best Orp breeders sell their birds at an affordable price to get new folks into our hobby and liking Orps. Anyone asking $450 for a bird is most likely not selling an Exhibition orpington that would meet the APA SOP.