Orpingtons!

[CountryMom]

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Thanks. If you don't mind I have one other question. Speckeled Hen informed me that hatchery Rocks rarely go broody until they are a few generations removed from the hatchery. Hatchery birds may be my only option if I cannot find some locally. Have you experienced the same behavior in Orps?

I never had any Orps that were from a hatchery, but I would think it might be the same with them.

My hatchery Buff Orps were and have been broody. My blues have been more so. And my black will just about take your hand off when she wants to set. I have broken up their nests because I don't have them divided up for breeding just yet. My Barred Rock is going on 2 this spring and has only gone broody once. I got her and the BO from Ideal. The BBS were breeders birds I hatched from eggs.

 

[CountryMom]

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Mine do lay pretty well. Most of the hens are not super in your face sitting on your lap chickens. They are not mean either and seem to get along with everyone. The only one we have issues with is the one Black Orp roo. I will be culling out extra roos and he will probably be going along with them. Unless I find him a home on craigslist locally.

Like I said above, the 3 year old BO hen lays an enormous egg. And she lays it about 3 to 4 times a week. She hasn't stopped through her molts or hot and cold temps.

 

[lighthawk]

Thanks all. I don't think I would even need a "broody" in the first two years but nice to know that at least one out of the 10 might show up by then.

 

[CountryMom]

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If you truely want a broody, get yourself a silkie hen. They will set on and hatch out anything! Was thinking of trying out some duck eggs under one this year.

 

[Keri78]

We have 4 gorgeous Buff Orpie girls from Ideal Poultry!!! They like having golden retriever puppies outside! They love to come running up to you everytime we go outside! They love to sit on our laps and my 4 yr. old lugs them around like big ol' cats!!!(Very funny) They are very big and bulky and stately looking when they roam around the yard! Yes..they are super fluffy and very maternal! I completely trust them with my little ones(4 yrs., 2 yrs, and 1 yr) The other day when my Father in Law came in the drive way they all came running up to his car from across the yard(and they don't even know him!) Right now they are MUCH MUCH more tame then my cochins b/c we have left them free ranging since they were babies and just spent sooo much time with them. I highly recommend them to anyone starting out! Our girls started laying between 6-7 mths. old and now lay about 1 egg a day sometimes everyotherday! Nice big EGGS! Blessings, Keri Ps. Here are a few pics from this fall the girls are 2-3 times that size now..but he still attempts to carry them around the yard and they LOVE it!

Pics:

 

[Bantimna]

Light hawk, Something that might interst you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=278710

 

[lighthawk]

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Thanks Sibone. Lot of info there. Funny two days ago I couldn't find anything now Orps are everywhere.

 

[Bantimna]

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Thanks Sibone. Lot of info there. Funny two days ago I couldn't find anything now Orps are everywhere.

Happens to me too

 

[lildinkem]

I like Buffs, Blacks and Blues. Everyones birds look great. Katy your Blues are VERY NICE!!

Here are a few pics of my young Black girls and boys from my Carlos Jr breedings. They are a late May

Capt Ron's kid

Just seen this print from 1890's. I guess for all us Orp fans this is as close to perfection you can get. I hope someday I can have birds that look like these in this print from the 1890's.

 

[CountryMom]

It is days like today with all this cold air blowing around that I am glad to have Orpingtons in the coops. All have laid eggs this morning and are happily scratching around begging to get out. They just don't seem bothered by the cold. My poor EE's are huddled all up trying to stay warm under the heat lamp.