Russian Orloffs

[ashandvine]

Kahlua.... so nice. I love posture, yellow shanks and deep color. I look forward to seeing how these develop. Do your birds have much spangling?? At this point its normal not to but I wondered about your adult breeders? Yes, I really like this posture, on your hens especially given that so many are more like sussex. And just think... you are in NJ which is much closer to *me* than DesertMarcy or NC.

I just had a conversation with Mr Casper about getting more eggs. I had a few losses here early on so my base flock is smaller than I would like. There is just something about seeing all that spangling in a flock. No one laying here right now. When they start to I will go get my rooster and put the three hens and one pullet I have into a pen with him.
Okay so again...
Breeding:
me
DesertMarcy
NC
Kahlua

Anyone else? I'm excited.

 

[kahlua]

These are my first Orloffs, so I don't know yet how they'll develop. A month of so ago, the pullets hardly had any spangling. They are slowly developing more.
I'm hoping to breed next year but I don't know how consistent the chicks will be. I realize it'll take time to see results. I did have to cull/sell a lot, but I am happy with the ones I've kept. Right now I have a 5 month old quad and a 7-8 month old trio. I need to get some pictures of the 2 younger pullets I didn't get shots of yesterday. They're in my free range group so I don't see them a lot. But I like that they're good at foraging and surviving.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Who is planning on breeding this spring??
1- ME
2- ?

Haven't been online in a while....

But of course I'll be breeding.

Too many years invested in them to quit now.

 

[ashandvine]

Haven't been online in a while....

But of course I'll be breeding.

Too many years invested in them to quit now.

Okay... so I don't know all the details but I was extremely happy to see you posting again. Please keep it up

 

[desertmarcy]

Kahlua.... so nice. I love posture, yellow shanks and deep color. I look forward to seeing how these develop. Do your birds have much spangling?? At this point its normal not to but I wondered about your adult breeders? Yes, I really like this posture, on your hens especially given that so many are more like sussex. And just think... you are in NJ which is much closer to *me* than DesertMarcy or NC.

I just had a conversation with Mr Casper about getting more eggs. I had a few losses here early on so my base flock is smaller than I would like. There is just something about seeing all that spangling in a flock. No one laying here right now. When they start to I will go get my rooster and put the three hens and one pullet I have into a pen with him.
Okay so again...
Breeding:
me
DesertMarcy
NC
Kahlua

Anyone else? I'm excited.

So I met a guy at the Tucson poultry show where I took a trio of Orloffs, amongst other birds. Turns out not only is he a licensed APA judge, but he also has Orloffs and is interested in getting them into the Standard! He lives pretty close to me, came out and bought two of my "eye candy" Orloffs--ones I had in my mixed laying pen because they are so pretty but too much white. One was one of my original hens from Rare Feathers Farm and one was a look-alike pullet from this year. He has a solid red male he plans to breed them to, so he wasn't concerned about the extra white. So you can add Gene Helton to the list of breeders---I don't know if he is on BYC or not, kinda doubt it. I think it is pretty exciting that an APA judge wants to get the Orloffs in the Standard---maybe there is hope yet.

On another note, I have seen zero--nada--breeding from my Orloff cock that I put in with 6 nice, lovely, willing pullets. Not a feather is stirred on any backs. What is up with that? I did see the son breeding one of the "mothers"--so the youngster (not too young, he is getting on to a year old) knows what to do.

 

[ashandvine]

Well this is wonderful information. I hope NC takes notes THANK YOU Marcy.

As for the rooster... I have heard this before. It may be that he is a bit of a gentleman about it. I know a woman who keeps three and hers are very sly as well but she occassionaly gets the surprise hatch of pure babies so... who knows? Is this why video surveillance was really invented? Probably not but its fun to think about.

I know Mr Casper in NY is breeding as well and he has really nice birds. There may be a chance in the next couple years to go to the old bird forum and get these readmitted. How exciting!

 

[taprock]

This is my first winter with Orloffs and I am amazed by them. They really don't seem to care about rain or snow. These four were out enjoying the sun today.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Beautiful pictures taprock!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

This is my first winter with Orloffs and I am amazed by them. They really don't seem to care about rain or snow. These four were out enjoying the sun today.

Russian Orloffs are good in the snow! You know, they kind of have to be, Russia is cold!!!

 

[ashandvine]

I tried to explain this geographic determination on the breeds ability to be out in an uninsulated coop but he thought I was nuts. Now I have pics to show!