Russian Orloffs

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
Dawn...you should ask the hatchery "Since when do Russian Orloffs have single combs?" See what their response is to that. They KNOW...I really think they're being ridiculous. The folks answering the phones are more than likely NOT the folks that picked your chicks out for shipment. Ask them that, too. Sometimes you have to get "in their face"...they will take advantage of nice people like yourself.

 

[JustDawn]

I know that 4 of them aren't Orloffs. One is a white leghorn with a large single comb, one is definitely a speckled sussex with a single comb. She also looks identical to what my 6 week old looked like at this time. The black one I am sure is not an Orloff is most likely a cuckoo maran (but black australorp is still a possibility). I also have one that looks like a RIR with a straight comb.

Pics are hard to identify so I understand why the hatchery is having such a problem but the combs are very suspicious and I believe I don't have one Orloff

. The hatchery at first said my sussex was the orloff but she was so definitely a sussex. Now the other two chipmunk breeds are in suspicion but again, they don't seem to have a walnut comb either. I have one more that looks like a RIR but is lighter and her wings sorta look like the pic under the breed chart here on BYC. Comb is different from others but I still see 3 little bumps on the top. I really don't think I have an Orloff at all because none of mine just have a flat spot... but the hatchery is swearing up and down that I have one and they believe it's one of my "chipmunks". They also said that one of my chipmunks could be a welsummer but they don't look like welsummers either. These two chipmunks in question feathered out the same (but differently than my definite sussex). They are both maturing at the same rate (faster than my definite sussex).

Pics from today (12 days old)

This is one of the chipmunks. You can see her "spikes" on her comb.

Here is the other chipmunk. You can see her "spikes" as well.

Here is the one that looks like the chick on the orloff breed page but again, has "spikes" on her comb.

Here are the rule-outs.
White Leghorn - single comb with HUGE spikes. Praying she's a girl.

Speckled Sussex - very clear single comb and looks just like my sussex did at this age.

Cuckoo Maran (or Black Australorp) - single comb

Rhode Island Red - single comb - actually is a bit darker than picture... to much sunlight

I really don't think I have an orloff but the hatchery doesn't believe me. What should I do?

 

[JustDawn]

ShelbyB

I actually had the comb discussion with the person at the hatchery and they said.... "Sometimes Russian Orloffs can have a single comb".

I am so frustrated.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
My response (if I were you) would have been...."Apparently YOUR hatchery Russian Orloffs have single combs, but the true, good quality, Orloffs do not." I'm sorry...but I would throw a stink like no other.

You know what...use your "BYC power". Just let them know that you feel they're wrong and you did not receive Russian Orloffs from them. Then let them know that your 60,000+ fellow BYC members will be made aware of their poor stock...and that Nature's Hatchery believes that Orloffs CAN have single combs.

 

[JustDawn]

Just called hatchery again. I sent in pictures on Thursday of my single combed chicks. Again, they said "on rare occasions that the Orloff will have a single comb". UGH. I told them that "Orloffs weren't suppose to have single combs, they have walnut combs!" Then they said that one of them (even with her single comb) has a definite underside orloff pattern. (They are talking about the one that is posted first in the group of pics I sent today - post 142) I said again, "but what about the comb?" Then I said "I've posted my pics on BYC and everyone said that they weren't Orloffs". So he said "Well, the shipping department has reviewed my pictures and will definitely get back to me before they close today" (in 2 hours)

 

[shelleyb1969]

That 1 chick MIGHT be an Orloff...but a VERY BAD QUALITY ONE in my opinion. And Nature's Hatchery should be embarrassed and ashamed. I, myself, have never heard of Orloffs EVER having single combs...even on rare occasions. You definitely did not receive what you ordered by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[JustDawn]

I don't think I did either. I know it's so hard to tell breeds just from pictures, but I feel that they don't believe me for some reason. I know they are trying their best to help me out. They've always been very kind and understanding on the phone, though I do feel that since I'm such a newbie, I am getting taken advantage of. I was so excited to see the Russian Orloff and wanted so bad to get them for my boys (who are from Astrakhan, Russia). I fell in love with there beauty and just their presence. To me, the way the Orloffs hold themselves just demands respect and I can't help but stare at them in awe. I don't need a show quality bird but I do need a Russian Orloff! There is a HUGE difference between a walnut comb and a single comb and they shouldn't try to tell me that sometimes orloffs can have single combs.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Best of luck, Dawn...I sure hope it works out for you.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Dawn- they don't even have cheeks! Those can't be Orloffs. I just don't see it. Not that I'm an expert- but that's how I was able to pick mine out of the wellie chicks I hatched so quickly- just look for the cheeks

 

[JustDawn]

Thanks Happy, One more thing to say to the hatchery to try to convince them that I don't have any Orloffs! I just got a call from them and the peeps in charge of shipping will be calling me shortly (after hours).