Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE

[FourPawz]

Quote:
I think you're right Joy. He definitely has lighter brown eyes at this point. Of course he has to be the only blue male, the little stinker. That is very likely to change in the future.

 

[justuschickens59]

If all stands as is the last time we talked, I'm pretty sure that will change in the next month or so

And, if you are interested, I do have an extra blue cockerel from Winston and Minerva that I need to rehome. He is around 3-4 weeks old.

 

[lildinkem]

Garbage today means culling down yesterday in the Nasty Buff pen.
I have been ordered to get down to 2 cockerels in this pen. At least Buffs. Mertyl the Australorp is my last of any hatchery stock & has a lifetime pass here.
I think I read of others wishing they had more girls going into the fall. Lump me in with those thoughts. I spent the big money on other BUFF lines that are frequently winning. Hatched out near 40 of them. Only had 2 Buff pullets to get to 40. Now I had 5 of the Captain Ron's girls this spring. So there is no excuse. I started with 13 Buffs 4 pullets 9 cockerels. Down to these 5 cockerels. The rule of thumb for starting a new line is biggest head, biggest chest and biggest and broadest back. Forget about anything else. I just created this line. Leave the fact I hate their legginess, long necks, droopy wingsets. I keep telling myself that. So here they are.
ALL are Feb hatches. Some are early in Feb and hatched with them Bamma babies (who are suppose to go all over my Orpingtons this fall). And knowing me, I'll take the Blue Bamma boy to one of these Buffs girls just cause I like to see what can come out down the road, and eventually have a Capt Ron Black Orp line with Bamma fluff hahahaha.

The smallest of the older cockerels. He is the runt of what I have left. And to be expected maybe the best overall. BUT NOT the biggest head or chest or back
But still a nice size boy.

I guess this guy is the next least likely to be numero uno of the flock

Not crazy about the tail or comb. He is 3rd in size

Seems the bigger they are the droopier the wings set. I am not suppose to worry about that. Go thru this pen focus on size
BIG HEADS, BIG CHESTS, BIG LONG BROAD BACKS. I just have to hatch out WAY more this coming breeding season to get rid of the legs

Here is my sleeper, he is going to be as big as the big fellas, and he is a month younger. I have to be patient. Another ancient Chinese Secret, the slow to mature wind up being your best types. So I read in a Fortune cookie

Here are the two big boys. Number one is here to stay

He does have the broadest head and I don't mind his comb

Quik little update, change of plan is to keep them for another few months. And bring them to the Lebanon IN Show for Paul Montieth to give his thoughts of what to work with.
At this rate I may fill up a row of cages with my birds by Oct16th. lololol

I thoght I would share these thoughts on Showing birds and using the advice from judges or people who judge from pics, for those who like to get an idea which birds to cull in your guys flocks. I find this very good advice and worth sharing.

"Bill
From the photos, they all look worth keeping for another month or so & then evaluating. I especially like the one in photo 7625 & the one on the left in photo #7630.

You could bring all 5 to show & we could evaluate in person at the show. Photos are great, but don’t always show the whole story. I don’t know if you can come on Friday afternoon/evening at the show, but I’ll have more time than I will during the show on Saturday. After the judging, you could also ask the judge, Paul Monteith to let you know which one(s) he would recommend you keep for breeding. Paul knows Orpingtons very well, too. Remember, how he places them doesn’t mean that’s the order of which is best for keeping/culling/breeding. (One or more might be better type but not place as high due to feather condition, etc.)
Doug"

 

[hinkjc]

Love all the buff pics! I would highly encourage you to hang on to them a bit longer too. I find orp roos continue filling out well into their first year. Their changes always amaze me as they mature more month over month. Aside from that, I have also found that some of those apparently runty roos aren't like that due to genetics, but because they're in with other roos. It's incredible how much a bird matures in its own flock or by himself. I know it's not always feasible to separate every roo, but it sure is a worthwhile experiment to see what they are truly capable of. Thanks for sharing your pics.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Jody,
I had that exact thing happen here! I had a blue orp roo who just was not growing. I pulled him out of the roo pen, and put him with the girls. He is now getting bigger and bigger and looking great. You are right about that!

 

[lildinkem]

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I love the Buffs, I am for sure keeping three for next year. I love the Buffs as much or more then the other varieties. I think it is cause of the challenge with the color. It is not easy to decide what is the better bird. And to start a breeding program, your needs may be different then folks who just want to show a competative bird. IF I wanted the most showable he may not be the best for a flock for the breeding season. I really need to make more of this line for the upcoming year. And being this is my created line I will offer a few auctions again for the spring. I feel at liberty with my own creations not the Orpington breeder's lines I own birds from. IF that makes sense? lolol

I like to also add after looking at my Blues I can see the challenges in making good Blues as difficult as the Buffs. And my beginner flock will need heavy culling by the looks of these birds. I have every size and color of Blue. Only one with a lite eye and one with Red Leakage, I am happy about that. lolol
This one boy is the smart one and mud bathes after I dump the water. He'll be a fun one to clean for a show the day of his future's judgement.

You can tell these are youngsters. Between 3 and 4 months old.

It will be the same philosophy with these Blues as the BUFFS.
I don't expect to have anything competative for a year or so. A true work in progress. just like my Capt RON BUFFS.
BIGGEST HEAD, BIGGEST CHEST, and LONG and BROAD BACKS

Little guy on the far right found the mud hole, OH GREAT!!

 

[buffbeauty]

Beautiful buffs!! The BOs are what got me into chickens!!

 

[hinkjc]

kathy - absolutely. I saw this quite a few times. I'd keep a few roos in a pen and see a runty one, then think I'll cull that one. When you separate them, they really flourish because they're not being held back due to dominance and pecking order.

Bill - I heard a lot of rumors about bad red leakage in the blues. It can make a mess of a line if not culled for, but that is dependent on what you're breeding towards. Personally, some birds look really nice with the red hackles in the sunlight, but then they're no good for showing. So you have to weigh it against what you want for your flock.

buffbeauty - years ago my fav color was red. Ah the luscious red plumage running around the farm was amazing. But I just couldn't get a good personality on a red roo. I found buff and have never looked back at red again. They are wonderful in every aspect from breed temperament right down to that beautiful sunshiney color that always makes me smile when I look at them.

 

[lildinkem]

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The one boy who has the leakage, is on one feather on his back. I'll give him one molt, but he better have alot of type or he is a goner even if he comes back all Blue .
I have a total of near a dozen Blue boys, and unfortunately the Lite eye is on another boy. So 2 outta 12 are prolly history. I know it will be next year till I feel good with these Blues.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

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The buff Orpington was my first love! Ours are still young, but growing! They are almost as large as our older hatchery Buff Orpington hen. Was a bit worried about their size, but checked their hatch date. Just 4 months old. Will post photos when I can.