Our English Orps

[Tuffoldhen]

Beautiful!!

I have 6 pullets and only 2 cockerels! LOL The black and a nice Splash!

 

[justuschickens59]

Thanks for all the nice compliments.

We're considering importing some Gold-Laced Orps and Crele Orps and maybe another variety of Orp. I talked to the USDA and got all the info I needed to import birds this time.

It really is not that hard to get approval from the USDA for either eggs or birds. The hard part is finding a breeder in the UK who is willing to undergo the testing and paperwork on their end. It is also expensive, for both eggs and birds. Birds have to be quarantined (at your expense) for 30 days, plus shipping, plus the cost of the birds themselves and the breeders expense of testing, etc.

For eggs -----Getting eggs is easier, but can also be pretty expensive and the hatch rate is so low. We got a fair number of eggs and several different shipments and only hatched 2. It is fairly easy to import eggs from the UK because they are END-free. Not so easy to get from countries that are not END-free. Hatching eggs from the UK do not have to be quarantined (birds do). The permit fee is $137. This permit is good for only one shipment of eggs - whether that be 1 egg or 100 eggs. You have to get a new permit for each shipment of eggs and it is good for 30 days. You can get the form online, print it, fill it out, and then fax it to the USDA. It takes about 7-10 days for the application to be approved. The breeder you are buying your eggs from has to have a vet do the mandatory tests on the parent flock (usually at your expense), then fill out the correct paperwork. I think, if I recall correctly, there are 3 specific things that they are testing for. I can't remember now how long the vet certificate from the UK is good for. Then when the eggs come in to the US, they have to be inspected by a USDA certified veterinarian. Depending on if there is a vet on site at the particular point of entry, that fee can be anywhere from $35-$125. Then you have to have the eggs shipped on to you or pick them up. You CAN choose the port where you want your eggs to arrive and you have to call the port 72 hour prior to arrival of the eggs. The ports that have a full-time vet are listed on the APHIS website. The biggest expense is the eggs themselves. If you have questions, call the USDA or the APHIS site. They are actually very helpful, which is surprising for a government office.

 

[hippichick]

Gorgeous Joy!!

I especially love that first pic of Clementine. She is a beauty! So glad that you are finally getting babies from Winston and Clem. And so very thankful that there are people like you guys who are willing to devote the time and money so that we can enjoy these beautiful English Orps here in the US.

Thanks for that!! And here's hoping that Winston and Clementine can give you many more little English babies...

 

[Goose and Fig]

Oh they are amazing! You have to keep hatching and get some blue babies. I would have that incubator going NON-STOP!

 

[kathyinmo]

Just beautiful, Joy! Gorgeous birds!

 

[justuschickens59]

Thanks Paula - so nice of you to say that !!! THe English orps are just so beautiful, it was worth all the money, time and aggravation to get them here.

Thanks Kathy - appreciate the nice compliments.

As far as cochins go, I just don't see it. Yes, there is a resemblance, but I don't see that much of one myself.

As far as selling eggs - we hope to have 100% English eggs/chicks sometime in 2011. I do sell hatching eggs now that are from Winston (100% English rooster) and my US hens, so the offspring is 50% English. These are turning out some really, really nice babies.

Happy Mtn - oh trust me, my incubator has been going non-stop for a while now. Problem is, we are having horrible heat here and CLementine isn't laying well at all. On top of that, her eggs are really proving to be a challenge to hatch. It's difficult to build up a flock with only 1 hen, but we're getting there.

Again, thanks to everyone for the lovely compliments. I really appreciate that these birds are so appreciated for their beauty here.

 

[Orchid]

Those. Birds. Are. GORGEOUS!

 

[kathyinmo]

Do you have more pictures? I just love looking at fluffy Orp pictures!

 

[joletabey]

Oh, I am in a daze looking at these beautiful birds, so yes!Please! More pics. I love little Hagrid- look at those legs!

 

[lildinkem]

Alot of English breeders use CoChins for the fluff and type. They use CoChins like APA Orp breeders use Rock. Not a big secret. My Orp friend who has seen it all and is an antique to poultry has talked about this for years. And has a distant cousin from Bamma's Charlie that came out with leg feathers. Came from somewhere.