Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE

[HallFamilyFarm]

Some APA judges advice I can live without. Some years ago some judges advised I show a breed other than Orpington Bantam so I would win. Sure glad I did not listen. There are trends in exhibition, some win this year, others next year. Some judges choose a white bird, others a black. I learned long ago to raise what I enjoyed. It is nice to win a Best of Breed. But the real joy is seeing what I have just seen. Nicole with King......

 

[lildinkem]

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I really only will be interested in one judges opinion. Paul is to be the crossroads Show's judge. And I like to get young birds in front of him now, and see him next year and what he thinks.

I plan on showing 2 of these three pullets. Hadn't made the big decision which stays home

These next two are the same girl

And then this girl. She is going for sure

 

[noodleroo]

lildinkum; Wow, your birds are pretty! Mine are just hatchery birds that would never win any kind of breed prize, but they are so sweet. I just love 'em...

 

[lildinkem]

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I tell ya, someone who knows more then me just wrote me and his theory is to pay the top dollar for hen/pullets and you can use you hatchery stock cock for a breeding program. It won't happen overnite. But, by your second to third generation, IF you take father to daughter and mother to son you can achieve two seperate lines and increase quality within a few generations. I did that last year with my $6 Buff Orp cock line. And their still a work in progress but I can see the noticeable inprovement from where I started. And paying for a high quality hen is usally $25 to $35. It costs the same to feed an exhibition bird as a hatchery line bird.

 

[noodleroo]

That's a very good point; and thanks for the breeding info!

 

[buffbeauty]

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How old are they Jim? I plan on taking 6 to 7 month oles. Not caring for where I place among others more interested how they do against each other.

I'll be there with mine as well!! I'll be at disadvantage as mine will be slightly younger still. Jim ours are from same stock. Did you get yours from Roy also???

 

[lildinkem]

OOOPPPPZZZ! I have it backwards. You need to pay for the higher quality cockerel/cock cause many will sell them cheaper and use your hatchery hens.

 

[buffbeauty]

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I agree. I was told the other day that my bantam salmon favs won't ever win a champ or reserve featherleg because the judge is always gonna pick a brahma, Cochin or silkie. Well yeah especially if they don't know favs. They are gonna go with what they know is a safe bird even if I have a perfect fav. You gotta get these less popular breeds in their face and they'll have to learn their standard. Funny how the lady I got my birds from has taken reserve featherleg at the last 2 shows she's been to. Granted it was behind a brahma and not sure what this weekend was but they were both big shows. One bein the illini one in belvidere.

 

[noodleroo]

Quote:
That makes sense; thanks for clarifying!

 

[lildinkem]

I don't know why I remembered it that way. DUH! Thankfully my buddy wrote me and told me of my screw up.
Far as judges. Jim is right. One way to gauge the judge you would be exhibiting too, is to follow him/her and how they judge thru Poultry Press. And don't let a judges opinion make or break anything. judges are like doctors, you always want more then one opinion. The better judges are those who own the breed you plan to show. Then you are usually getting a good evaluation. This is my theory and I am stickin to it.