Russian Orloffs

[TheCrazyClucker]

I've noticed that also. But my girls are awesome in the winter. Don't need to worry about frostbite.

 

[vtguania]

Canieldonrad that is awesome that you will be getting Mahogany Orloff eggs. I don't have an incubator so I wasn't able to get any from Erhard at the time when I spoke with him. It would be nice to meet up at an East Coast show. I don't do much traveling due to the limited time I have off from work but once in a while I get as far south as SC. I let my birds out yesterday in a temporary pen I built & they enjoyed being out of the coop. I managed to get a few pictures of them.

 

[NCSprout]

Sorry for the loss Marcy. We have been very fortunate to not lose any over the last few years, but you can definitely tell it affects them.

 

[RiddleMe]

Sorry for your loss desertmarcy. I have noticed my orloffs don't seem to like the heat either, its been in the 80s and they are already panting (when my mixed layer flock isn't). Fortunately it rarely if ever breaks 100 here...

Thought I'd post a few new pics since I'm on here, these aren't necessarily my favorites, just the ones that held still long enough (though I do like the tall, gangly cockerel, he's very inquisitive). They are all 3 1/2 months old now. Had a feather picking issue at one point, upped the protein which seemed to fix it for the pullets, but for some reason all the cockerels still have varying degrees of missing feathers on the back/base of the tail. Checked for parasites and haven't found any, so I'm using bluekote to camouflage the new feathers and hoping the final juvenile molt will fix the issue.

 

[desertmarcy]

Sorry for your loss desertmarcy. I have noticed my orloffs don't seem to like the heat either, its been in the 80s and they are already panting (when my mixed layer flock isn't). Fortunately it rarely if ever breaks 100 here...

Thought I'd post a few new pics since I'm on here, these aren't necessarily my favorites, just the ones that held still long enough (though I do like the tall, gangly cockerel, he's very inquisitive). They are all 3 1/2 months old now. Had a feather picking issue at one point, upped the protein which seemed to fix it for the pullets, but for some reason all the cockerels still have varying degrees of missing feathers on the back/base of the tail. Checked for parasites and haven't found any, so I'm using bluekote to camouflage the new feathers and hoping the final juvenile molt will fix the issue.

They are looking good

It's funny you mention the feather picking. I've got a big grow out pen with mixed breeds--Orloffs, Barred Rocks, New Hampshires, Marans, and some olive eggers, and I am seeing what looks like feather picking on some of mine, too, right where you describe. I wonder if the white feathers are attracting this. I don't see any of the other breeds with missing feathers, just the Orloffs

I think mine are getting plenty of protein, the mix is about 18%, but it has no animal protein in it. I am also giving them a big bowl of water with Red Cell in it every morning. It feels like an oven outside now, I have to fill their water bin, which holds 2 gallons, several times a day. The Orloffs were the first to figure out standing in it cools them off. I've also been spraying a section of the pen down so they have a wet place to cool down. This is really a hard time of year to work with the birds, it is so blasted hot.

 

[RiddleMe]

Sorry for your loss desertmarcy. I have noticed my orloffs don't seem to like the heat either, its been in the 80s and they are already panting (when my mixed layer flock isn't). Fortunately it rarely if ever breaks 100 here...

Thought I'd post a few new pics since I'm on here, these aren't necessarily my favorites, just the ones that held still long enough (though I do like the tall, gangly cockerel, he's very inquisitive). They are all 3 1/2 months old now. Had a feather picking issue at one point, upped the protein which seemed to fix it for the pullets, but for some reason all the cockerels still have varying degrees of missing feathers on the back/base of the tail.  Checked for parasites and haven't found any, so I'm using bluekote to camouflage the new feathers and hoping the final juvenile molt will fix the issue.

They are looking good It's funny you mention the feather picking. I've got a big grow out pen with mixed breeds--Orloffs, Barred Rocks, New Hampshires, Marans, and some olive eggers, and I am seeing what looks like feather picking on some of mine, too, right where you describe. I wonder if the white feathers are attracting this. I don't see any of the other breeds with missing feathers, just the Orloffs I think mine are getting plenty of protein, the mix is about 18%, but it has no animal protein in it. I am also giving them a big bowl of water with Red Cell in it every morning. It feels like an oven outside now, I have to fill their water bin, which holds 2 gallons, several times a day. The Orloffs were the first to figure out standing in it cools them off. I've also been spraying a section of the pen down so they have a wet place to cool down. This is really a hard time of year to work with the birds, it is so blasted hot.

I have mine on a 20% protein and I add meat scraps at least once a week. I considered separating them but I'm not 100% sure they aren't doing at least part of it themselves. Haven't tried the red cell. They do love standing in the water bowl though.

 

[ksistrunk]

Does anyone know where I could get some russian orloff chicks at around mississippi.

 

[TheCrazyClucker]

Sorry for your loss desertmarcy. I have noticed my orloffs don't seem to like the heat either, its been in the 80s and they are already panting (when my mixed layer flock isn't). Fortunately it rarely if ever breaks 100 here...

Thought I'd post a few new pics since I'm on here, these aren't necessarily my favorites, just the ones that held still long enough (though I do like the tall, gangly cockerel, he's very inquisitive). They are all 3 1/2 months old now. Had a feather picking issue at one point, upped the protein which seemed to fix it for the pullets, but for some reason all the cockerels still have varying degrees of missing feathers on the back/base of the tail. Checked for parasites and haven't found any, so I'm using bluekote to camouflage the new feathers and hoping the final juvenile molt will fix the issue.

Wow love them! So pretty!

 

[Cknldy]

Does anyone know where I could get some russian orloff chicks at around mississippi.

I'm in the same boat a bit further north! I've got brothers and sisters but need diversity for mating.

 

[NCSprout]

mississippifarmboy has Orloffs, but he has been dealing with health issues, so may be hard to reach. He is in Glen, MS.

Cknldy, where in the appalachians are you?