Post Pics Of Orps/ Orpingtons HERE

[lildinkem]

He looks like he has alot going for him. I have been using the same 3 year old Black cock. And am still hoping to create one who is better. my bird needs a better tail. The nice thing is you can take your male to that White pullet and get her tail on some splits then use them back to both Blacks and White. I plan on doing that with my White pullet cousin to your White girl. That will stiffen up them tails and make some darn nice birds.

Thanks lildinkem here are some pics of my 2 years old black orp rooster Jet.

 

[Johnn]

 

[lildinkem]

Davie was just talking to Harry. He says you have a great combo going with that UK White male you got from Marc. And we both want you to protect your line and not feel like you need to sell before you set yourself up with a great couple of trios. There are folks out there who are chomping at the bit to get what you have. They will buy from you and sell as if this line you made is their own and not give you any credit. Last year I sorta thought it would be nice to share but learned you really need to hatch out every single egg and raise them up before you cull. And cull with a sledge hammer. you can make a buck down the road with your birds after you set yourself up for a few years. This year I have not sold one egg or bird. Last year I did sell and did not keep any of the ones I hatched out and grew out.
So, keep making them like you are and wait a couple of years and show to prove your lines and you will be happy you did.
Have fun too
Bill

Here are some pics of my 50% white and blue cuckoo orpington cockerels.

 

[kathyinmo]

Davie was just talking to Harry. He says you have a great combo going with that UK White male you got from Marc. And we both want you to protect your line and not feel like you need to sell before you set yourself up with a great couple of trios. There are folks out there who are chomping at the bit to get what you have. They will buy from you and sell as if this line you made is their own and not give you any credit. Last year I sorta thought it would be nice to share but learned you really need to hatch out every single egg and raise them up before you cull. And cull with a sledge hammer. you can make a buck down the road with your birds after you set yourself up for a few years. This year I have not sold one egg or bird. Last year I did sell and did not keep any of the ones I hatched out and grew out.
So, keep making them like you are and wait a couple of years and show to prove your lines and you will be happy you did.
Have fun too
Bill

I guess if you are into chickens for money or "fame," that would be the way to go. I am sorta torn on this subject though. They are, after all, just chickens. When the Lavender project Orps were going for outrageous money, I was giving mine away. I still give away. I just gave away some 100% imported Orps a couple weeks ago. I don't regret it. I like to share.

I do understand what you are saying though. When you say, "They will buy from you and sell as if this line you made is their own and not give you any credit." For me, personally, I don't really care to be in the lime light, so to speak. Does it matter? I'm not sure. I guess it depends on the situation and how one feels about needing to be credited.

 

[thedragonlady]

I guess if you are into chickens for money or "fame," that would be the way to go. I am sorta torn on this subject though. They are, after all, just chickens. When the Lavender project Orps were going for outrageous money, I was giving mine away. I still give away. I just gave away some 100% imported Orps a couple weeks ago. I don't regret it. I like to share.

I do understand what you are saying though. When you say, "They will buy from you and sell as if this line you made is their own and not give you any credit." For me, personally, I don't really care to be in the lime light, so to speak. Does it matter? I'm not sure. I guess it depends on the situation and how one feels about needing to be credited.

Great post!

 

[lildinkem]

I speak as an Exhibition breeder. Harry and I are not the only ones who treasure what we make. Fellow Orp breeder and officer of our club also treats the Whites the same way. The White Exhibition Orps are nearly extinct in the USA. And only share with other fellow Exhibition breeders the quality birds that we make. It is up to us to make sure there is quality to part with to assure that the future generations have some quality Whites to enjoy. What people do with their project birds is no problem with me. Davie has a true quality White line and Harry and I hope he understands how much we and those in the future will depend on his decision with what he makes. Just takes one mishap and one Racoon to end it all. And then he would be out and may never remake what he is doing now.

 

[lildinkem]

I am very lucky to have such a nice White cockerel that Harry let me have to use. Usually the more developed variety of Orpington decides the level of quality when breeding. Meaning since Buffs are the most popular of the Orps, it is easier to reproduce a higher quality Orp on average then lets say Blues Black or even Whites. Exhibition Whites are the least popular. And one would think that you would have to breed 2 or 3 times as many to achieve a couple of nice trios. But the combo of Harry's cock and these Buff Sport and single Comb Wyandotte pullets are equal in my eyes with my Buffs.
I have my oldest Whites and Buffs which are near 5 month oles to compare with.








I just made a 12' by 12' by 6' high grow out pen where I have near 60 young ones growing out. Most all except for the Cuckoos are purebred standard Orps. There are a few Australorps in the mix to be sorted out after a few months go by. I do have the 5 White Orps I hatched out from one of the better Orp breeder's line in this pen. Gayle and Norm had gotten out of raising Whites for a while so she and I traded eggs to help each other out with different genes to play with. I greatly appreciate having the different blood to use to add to what I already see is going to be a successful White Orp line thanks to Harry I am creating. Gayle and Norm have had to build their new White line from scratch. Years ago their Whites were considered to be some of the best out there. I am sure soon they will be back with Show winning Whites and Blacks.
Here is the largest White and bird for that matter in this pen. You can see the subtle differences in him compared to my newly created White line. Gayle's male their using is 14 lbs. This fella was a mid May hatch and has ALOT more to grow and fill out. Thank you Gayle and Norm!


Pic of the new grow out pen. They will stay in here for a few more weeks then get divided up and put into my bigger open air grow out pens where I have one male and 2 females to teach them the ropes on being a chicken here.


Couple of the younger Buffs and birds in this pen.
This girl can grow up to be a knock out too

 

[thedragonlady]

I am very lucky to have such a nice White cockerel that Harry let me have to use. Usually the more developed variety of Orpington decides the level of quality when breeding. Meaning since Buffs are the most popular of the Orps, it is easier to reproduce a higher quality Orp on average then lets say Blues Black or even Whites. Exhibition Whites are the least popular. And one would think that you would have to breed 2 or 3 times as many to achieve a couple of nice trios. But the combo of Harry's cock and these Buff Sport and single Comb Wyandotte pullets are equal in my eyes with my Buffs.
I have my oldest Whites and Buffs which are near 5 month oles to compare with.








I just made a 12' by 12' by 6' high grow out pen where I have near 60 young ones growing out. Most all except for the Cuckoos are purebred standard Orps. There are a few Australorps in the mix to be sorted out after a few months go by. I do have the 5 White Orps I hatched out from one of the better Orp breeder's line in this pen. Gayle and Norm had gotten out of raising Whites for a while so she and I traded eggs to help each other out with different genes to play with. I greatly appreciate having the different blood to use to add to what I already see is going to be a successful White Orp line thanks to Harry I am creating. Gayle and Norm have had to build their new White line from scratch. Years ago their Whites were considered to be some of the best out there. I am sure soon they will be back with Show winning Whites and Blacks.
Here is the largest White and bird for that matter in this pen. You can see the subtle differences in him compared to my newly created White line. Gayle's male their using is 14 lbs. This fella was a mid May hatch and has ALOT more to grow and fill out. Thank you Gayle and Norm!


Pic of the new grow out pen. They will stay in here for a few more weeks then get divided up and put into my bigger open air grow out pens where I have one male and 2 females to teach them the ropes on being a chicken here.


Couple of the younger Buffs and birds in this pen.
This girl can grow up to be a knock out too

Goodness, I'm counting 38 birds, and it looks like standing room only now. Where do they roost? I'd love to see more of that buff pullet when she gets her tail. She looks as if she could have some English blood. If so she'll get her tail in later than American Os do. My 2 Eng buffs have finally grown theirs.

 

[lildinkem]

Goodness, I'm counting 38 birds, and it looks like standing room only now. Where do they roost? I'd love to see more of that buff pullet when she gets her tail. She looks as if she could have some English blood. If so she'll get her tail in later than American Os do. My 2 Eng buffs have finally grown theirs.

Well, I did put a log or two in these pens and all they did is peck at it and did not roost on them. Then moved in this table for them to get up on OR stand under when it rains. But, since they are not intellectual giants they just stand out in the rain and not under the table.
The Prez of our Orp club told me about a fella in the late 80's or early 90's who brought in some UK Buff eggs. Legal I do not know, and he had sold a 16 lbs Buff cockerel at a show to one of the breeders that a guy that I have some of his bloodline in my Buffs. That is why my original Buffs could easily pass as UK's
Look at this pic and see the girl on the left. She looks very much like your girl..

 

[littlechicklet]

Hi I am new to BYC and would like to ask a few questions if I may. I just started with some blue Orpingtons. They are the American type not hatchery but I do not know how high the quality is. Would any one recommend some reading, forums or sites so I can get a better understanding of the breed. Mine are young and they do not seem to be the smartest birds but they are mostly friendly with the exception of 1 cockerel who seems more skittish than mean. My questions are fairly simple: do they mature slower than say EEs, how old when they start laying, do they roost (mine seem to sleep on the floor) and since I am not sure of the extent of the line breeding would it be wise to bring in a different line of black to hopefully add to what I have? I have a pair that is approaching 5 months & a trio that is approx. 9-10 weeks. The trio is the friendliest since I hand raised them. Below are pics from a few weeks to a month ago. Any information would be greatly appreciated.




The older pair (sorry about pic it was almost dark). These were breeder culled at about 6 wks.