Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE

[HallFamilyFarm]

Aveca.....I do have something to do with the APA Standard. I am the chairman of the APA Standard Committee. I have been on that committee for many years. The Walt on page 2 is me. It is very difficult to get too detailed with the SOP. It already has over 400 pages. My recommendation to folks is to read very carefully pages 3-34. This will help with the breed descriptions. You may also PM or ask Orp questions on this thread and I will try to help you.

I try to spend some time on most of the breed threads to help when I can. Sometimes people don't like what I say, but I tell it as I see it without being inhumane.

Walt

Walt will definitely tell it like it is! No candy coating. He is also a licensed poultry judge. Walt may have forgot more than any of us will ever learn. We do appreciate all Walt has done for the Poultry Fancy!

 

[aveca]

yep, i knew he is da judge.. it really helps me out..im kind of isolated way over here and my education , training program is poke and hope sometimes..do have another apa judge freind whos a huge help but 3/4 ths of the year hes in another state judging.. i know obvious things that are wrong like the big dropped wing and white earlobes on blk orps..but there are some more subtle things just not real sure..i think what im seeing is very good but what am i missing...it does go back to the dressage training..when we were kids they would say inside hind leg , tell me when it is off the ground in trot..you couldnt look feel it throu the seat of your pants..now into poultry like choosing between cockerals to show..there is 1 that is kind of standing out to me as maybe a little special..but still has some growing to do..there might be something im missing..one apa show win makes me an expert in nothing..

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

yep, i knew he is da judge.. it really helps me out..im kind of isolated way over here and my education , training program is poke and hope sometimes..do have another apa judge freind whos a huge help but 3/4 ths of the year hes in another state judging.. i know obvious things that are wrong like the big dropped wing and white earlobes on blk orps..but there are some more subtle things just not real sure..i think what im seeing is very good but what am i missing...it does go back to the dressage training..when we were kids they would say inside hind leg , tell me when it is off the ground in trot..you couldnt look feel it throu the seat of your pants..now into poultry like choosing between cockerals to show..there is 1 that is kind of standing out to me as maybe a little special..but still has some growing to do..there might be something im missing..one apa show win makes me an expert in nothing..

Memorize the Orpington Standard. Visit a large show and take lots of photos of the Best of Breed and Best of variety Orpington. Video them for a little bit. Then go home and use this as a guide. If you are raising for show in the US, use the American Standard of Perfection. That is what Walt and the other judges are using. What we want the bird to look like is pointless. Its what the SOP says that is important. We can discuss and argue over type, origins and blood lines. In the end, a judge could care less if the bird is 50% UK or 50% Plymouth Rock. There is no DNA testing of poultry at a show. Its all about conformation to the Standard.

I really wish Walt would post a large photo of his avatar. Its a J. Ralph Brazelton line Buff Orpington. This is what we are all to strive for in body type. Ralph was a master with Orpingtons. Beat me every time we competed against each other. Ralph would share his birds with everyone. Many of the best lines out there today have his influence in them. Here is the largest copy of Walt's avatar I could find on BYC. Its a bit fuzzy, but the outline is clear. This is an Orpington, bred to the American Standard of Perfection. All other birds (imported, Rocks, Wyandottes, RIR, etc) CAN NOT compare to its beauty.

In my opinion, no other breed can compare to the beauty of an Orpington.

Photo courtesy fowlman01 aka Walt Leonard.

Note: I am a bit prejudiced concerning the Orpington. Buff is also the BEST color!

 

[OSUman]

We can discuss and argue over type, origins and blood lines. In the end, a judge could care less if the bird is 50% UK or 50% Plymouth Rock. There is no DNA testing of poultry at a show. Its all about conformation to the Standard.

Im glad you understand this.

 

[fowlman01]

Thanks for the kind words Jim. ( I didn't pay him to post that). lol

I will look for more pics. I had buff and black. The blacks were from Cecil Moore. I got these birds in the early 80's and back then there were some very good Orps around. With the exception of Bob Colters birds, non had excessive fluff. Colters birds had a lot of other good things about them though.

Walt

 

[OSUman]

Here is a clearer picture of a good Orpington from the United Orpington Club website, I believe these are from the Clevenger strain of birds.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Walt, would say there is not enough, just right or too much fluff on this hen?

Here is a clearer picture of a good Orpington from the United Orpington Club website, I believe these are from the Clevenger strain of birds.

 

[OSUman]

Walt, would say there is not enough, just right or too much fluff on this hen?

Just curious, why does fluff matter so much?

 

[fowlman01]

Walt, would say there is not enough, just right or too much fluff on this hen?

Too much. It ruins the underline.

w.

 

[fowlman01]

Just curious, why does fluff matter so much?

Read the last paragraph of the Orp description on page 102 of the 2010 SOP. "The plumage of Orpingtons is important..............etc, etc"......then read the Body and fluff description on the same page.

It is only important if you want to follow the APA SOP. If not, it doesn't matter.

Walt