Russian Orloffs

[desertmarcy]

How does it work with showing LF orloffs, since they are not a recognized breed? Do they still give out awards/placings?

I just showed two of my chickens (not Orloffs) over the weekend, it was my first time. I would love to show my Orloffs in the future - but right now my girls are not in show condition.Maybe over the summer I'll take the rooster out so the girls can grow their feathers back and be ready to show in October.

Large fowl Orloffs are in the AOSB class (All Other Standard Breeds). Since they are not in the Standard, they can only compete against other Orloffs and the best one could do is win Best of Breed. They cannot compete for Champion or Reserve Champion of their class or go on to win Best of Show.

 

[NCSprout]

All I'm really doing is trying to set up a site and bring some organization to what information we have. As stated in previous posts, whatever we go with has to mesh with the bantam standard since they are recognized as bantams. The old SOP description was for "Russians" and I believe it does not apply to what we are working with now. I don't consider it the Orloff breed standard. I have been working with Mr. Casper for awhile gathering emails and contact info as well as distributing what info and newsletters he has gathered and produced in his discussions with Mr. Flannery, Craig Russell, and other members of the SPPA. It just seems logical to put it all in one place for people to see instead of sending the emails (and snail mails for those with no email). I know there is always more to learn and room for improvement. I hope by utilizing a standard, we can have something to breed and grow toward to actually benefit the breed as a whole, which is really what it's all about.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

Would having access to the existing site help? I don't know how to transfer ownership...

 

[NCSprout]

Hey! Great to see you again, Rachel. I'm pretty sure we never found out how to transfer the site the last time we talked about it. There's also a guy in the UK that owns the domain name russianorloffs.com, so we couldn't use that anyway. I always did like the name Russian Orloff Preservation Society for a club name. I can transfer the name if that's what we would like to call the group. Then you could delete the site if you want. I know the forum that Tom started is a dead link now. It's really up to you. Just let me know.

 

[skydancer28]

Yes, a breed organization to promote the Russian Orloffs would be fantastic. I agree with Judge Helton that the challenge is longevity: it is easy to dive in at the beginning, but life has a way of changing up on us, and it may not be realistic to expect one person to carry the organization for the next five or ten years.

As far as establishing a standard, I would advise trying to get Erhard Weihs involved. He was instrumental in helping to get the Barnvelders and Welsummers accepted in the APA. Currently he breeds both the Spangled and the Mahogany RO, using the bloodlines he brought with him from Germany decades ago. I currently have four of his Mahogany pullets and eight Spangled chicks--and possibly a Spangled roo from his bloodlines. They are all extremely good-looking birds, healthy and robust. The pullets started laying on Christmas day, with no supplemental light or heat, and they have not slowed down since (except the one hen who insisted on going broody...)

Erhard has a website, where you can see photos of his birds:

http://kummerpoultry.com/

 

[NCSprout]

My first Orloffs were from Erhard. He is a valuable contributor to the world of poultry. I had spoken with him awhile back about them and his experience with Welsummers. I have conversed with Dr. Netland, as well, although it has been some time. There are members of the Ameraucana Breeders Club who also have a vast amount of experiential knowledge regarding admission the the APA standard. Our course of action is not one that will be easily or quickly done, but we really don't need to make it very complicated. The APA is pretty plain about the requirements. All we have to do is get organized enough to take the steps.

 

[Canieldonrad]

Sent Erhard a letter and a check today, plan on hatching some Mahogany. My #1 breeding project is, and will probably continue to be, Buckeyes. However I did want a #2 and the ball started to roll when I contacted him yesterday.

Hopefully out of 24 eggs I will get a decent starter flock. If anyone in the Eastern US has stock they wouldn't mind sharing with me I would be more than happy to trade for some of my Orloffs and/or Buckeyes.


I currently only have plans for Mahogany, not spangled. I don't have resources for 3 different Breeds/Varieties.


-Also, sign me up for an email list if something gets together soon. I don't have experience with Orloffs but I grew up showing poultry with my father.

 

[NCSprout]

German and ABA Standards added to club site. Will work on posting Mr. Casper's newsletters over the weekend.

 

[ashandvine]

Of the three chicks to hatch out of a line from the only other breeder of RO in Maine all three have died. Two last week and this one today. Everyone else in the brooder was fine and still is. Same conditions for them all. I have no idea what to make of this. I am down to two chicks now from separate sources. Let's see if they make it. Apparently Murphy feels my commitments must be tested thoroughly.

 

[Gresh]

Hey, fellow Orloff enthusiasts.

Found a couple photos on a German site that I'd like to share with you. Personally, I think they represent an excellent example of what Orloffs should look like as far as body type. Color, as the British standard says, is "of secondary consideration."








I hope I haven't uploaded anything somebody else has already uploaded.

Also, I would really like to form an active American Russian Orloff club. Curtis Flannery attempted to start one in 2003 (as I infer from Feathersite.com's Orloff link page), but evidently he was not supported as much as I would have hoped. If there IS an American Orloff club that is active, will someone provide me the necessary info to join? If not, I feel that we Orloff enthusiasts should form an American club. This breed needs a lot more attention from its American audience, and an official club would not only increase its chances of adding it back into the APA's standard but also increase public interest and awareness.

God bless,
~Gresh~