Russian Orloffs

[NCSprout]

I had a couple go broody, one would peck at me every time I went in to check under her and was a very protective mother, so much so that I had to seperate her from the flock into a separate brood pen. She was an excellent mother and has been out free-ranging with them for about a month now.

MFB- I'll definitely be in touch about the import. It is on slate for the 2nd week in May, tentatively.

 

[happyhens120]

Yeah, you and Mother Nature. How did either of you ever get chickens to survive this long?!?

Which "either of you" are you referring to?

 

[ashandvine]

I was joking that you do it all wrong according to books by just letting nature take its coarse... so you and Mother Nature are "wrong." I thought it was funny at the time.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

lol, I got it Ash... I thought it was funny too.

 

[happyhens120]

That one went way over my head. lol!

 

[ashandvine]

I have an Orloff hen who keeps having leg problems. She's developed a limp for the second time now in the same leg. At first I thought, and treated it as if, it were bumble foot, but upon very close inspection found no signs. I checked every day after the first day of baths. So I decided on impulse to keep her from roosting at night. I put her in a cage and kept her there for about a week of nights. She progressively got better to a point where she was walking and running normally again. Well, we are back at the beginning. As of yesterday I noticed her limping. It progresses from a slight to significant limp very quickly. I will be taking her off roost again for this week, but wanted to know if anyone could think of a reason for this? I happen to like her the best of all three hens (of course) so the idea of her suffering bothers me. She is the Eagle Orloff I have sent pictures of before. (I know, too much white in the head is undesireable but I like HER). I am hoping to hang onto her long enough to turn out at least one clutch of her eggs. Mr Casper and I are still trying to get those chickens up my way, with luck, this month. This is a big month for me and Orloffs. Suggestions regarding helping her out and what the cause might be is appreciated. I feel like I need every Orloff I can get.

Incidentally, does anyone know what the outline looks like for getting APA again? Do a certain number of RO have to be raised and kept in the US, by how many folks, and at how many shows? What's the game plan??

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

i would think they would have to go threw the approval process just like any other breed...

5 breeders that have been breeding them for at least 5 years, 2 cock's, 2 hen's, 2 cockerel's, 2 pullet's
showed at 2 APA shows for 2 years... and then a qualifying meet with 50 birds that meet the SOP... and of those 50 birds there has to be at least 4 breeders with 2 cock's, 2 hen's, 2 cockerel's, 2 pullet's each...

and you cant just show that many birds because none of them can be DQed so so need to show more than the required amount to make sure u have enough...

 

[NCSprout]

"i would think they would have to go threw the approval process just like any other breed..."

Yep, long process. There are loads of people interested now, but not that many showing.

Ash, regarding the leg problems, one thing to consider is the weight of the bird in relation to the strength of the legs. Orloffs are not meant to be fast maturing birds, consequently when they are fed a mix with higher protein levels (most starter feeds are high in protein) the body grows faster than the bone structure. Essentially this allows for strains. I had the same problem with my first Orloffs and they grew out of it, eventually. Not a lot you can do for it once it has happened, just make a mental note and try to adjust the feed from about 12 weeks on, maybe sooner if you free range at all.

 

[ashandvine]

I do free range and these girls are at least a year old if not two. I have lowered the roost about 6 inches and hope that between some rest and that she might be fine.

 

[NCSprout]

IMO, she will grow out of it, or rather it will heal. I am by no means an expert, just what I have observed. I have not noticed it in a cock, so maybe it has something to do with depleted calcium levels in laying hens. I think the fact that you free range can only help.