Russian Orloffs

[Rare Feathers Farm]

What's odd is that most of mine DO get more white as they age.

Take a look at this pullet on the right:







Right





She's the one in the front os this picture. She's now three years old and VERY white.


The exception to that are my Erhard birds. I started off with a trio and now, I'm just down to one, original hen. Here she is as a one year old.


She's now two years old and still has minimal white (in the front).

 

[desertmarcy]

What's odd is that most of mine DO get more white as they age.

Take a look at this pullet on the right:








Right





She's the one in the front os this picture. She's now three years old and VERY white.


The exception to that are my Erhard birds. I started off with a trio and now, I'm just down to one, original hen. Here she is as a one year old.


She's now two years old and still has minimal white (in the front).

Were you selling hatching eggs from Erhard birds in early June of 2011? That's when I got them from you. Just wondered if mine are descended from those or some others you had.
It is odd there is such a difference in how the color white changes.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Were you selling hatching eggs from Erhard birds in early June of 2011? That's when I got them from you. Just wondered if mine are descended from those or some others you had.
It is odd there is such a difference in how the color white changes.

No. I got mine in 2011 from him (it was fall when I picked them up)...

 

[RussianChickens]

the tail fluff you guess are talking about is normal for a bird  that kind of tail carriage and feather shape....a real curved sickle raising strait up from the back....Like an AmericanGame, or Old english...if thats the type of tail you want...you will have the fluff, and it is correct....its seems to be more pronounced in the dark wheaten, BBR, mahogany type colors.

And I have a question for you guys......everyone seems to be very concerned with to much or too little white in the very young birds.....in other spangled or mottled varieties I am familiar with...white ALWAYS increased with age...therefore...you show the correct ones young,( and by that i mean dont judge the color till real adult feather, and the light ones as old birds ...different birds add the white at different rates ...but they will all add white ...the whole flock will never ever be "perfect" at one time
is this not the case with orloffs color?

Only one of my ROs has increased white with age. The others have lost their white in favor of rich dark brown feathers with a tiny tip of white that barely shows. I like these dark with less white tips but the more white tips is a very nice look too.

Im probably the only person hoping that they dont standardize the color of the spangled RO into too much or not enough white. I think all variety are beautiful and i personally breed for body shape vs color. I think the features are more important than the color. Though i do agree the 'color' should be that nice rich dark brown. But as for the white, i would leave that up to personal preferance. As some one said here earlier, build the barn then paint it.


Once again im on my cell so sorry for the typos and mis spells.

 

[vtguania]

ashandvine, no I was doing cross country flying from here to NY, Mass, Ct, then Maine. We made it as far as Ct then back here since we where pressed for time logging only 5 & a half hrs of flight time.

 

[Tara80]

Quote:
I agree, I like the variation. Speaking of standards, does anyone know if they plan to re-incorporate the RO standards back into the APA any time soon? My son has been bringing his to the local County Fair to show off to people (they seem to get the largest crowd, inquiries and compliments out of ALL of our chickens); but that's as far as we can go, obviously, without them currently having an APA standard.

 

[ashandvine]

If you read about what the feather should look like on a spangled and where the spangling should occur you will find that it functions like many of the others, MF and even mottled in how the shape and disbursement are sought. That is why it is about 'perfection' not preference. I find Rare's very white incredibly appealing and believe white should increase as with any mottled bird but that does exempt them from showing at some point unless a judge really is generous and understanding. I comment on where there is too much or too little because people do need to learn this stuff and if it isn't brought up how will newbies learn?
As far as the standard goes it will be a while. The Orloff society is aiming for 2015. I don't think I can get blacks together in time.

 

[Canieldonrad]

Had to cull a Mahogany today. It appeared to have a sort of muscular dystrophy type condition. It began having trouble with movement and eventually just got the point that it could no longer move. But so far the other three seem to be doing well.

Didn't look like Mareks.

I find Rare's very white incredibly appealing and believe white should increase as with any mottled bird but that does exempt them from showing at some point unless a judge really is generous and understanding. I comment on where there is too much or too little because people do need to learn this stuff and if it isn't brought up how will newbies learn?

Mottling is defined under a specific pattern in the APA SOP. Each section requires a ratio(which some may, or may not follow).

However Spangling/Speckling is not a described variety. I would say it would follow the same guidelines as Mottled, but it does not for some reason. You will find(to my knowledge) two different variations of the same pattern. Speckled Sussex and Spangled Old English Game.

Sussex is a pretty straight forward EVERY feather tipped. While Old English is not so adamant, it says tipped with white, but it doesn't set fourth any specifics. If I were to breed Spangled I'd likely just breed them very white heavy. I like a lot of Mottling and I like a lot of Spangling. Nearly to the point where I'd want to see a majority of the tail and wings being white. But that is simply my taste. I wouldn't want to put fourth a Standard based on one person's preference. I'd prefer to see color described much to the effect of the Old English.

 

[RiddleMe]

Had to cull a Mahogany today.  It appeared to have a sort of muscular dystrophy type condition.  It began having trouble with movement and eventually just got the point that it could no longer move.  But so far the other three seem to be doing well.  

Didn't look like Mareks. 

Sorry you are having such a tough time with those chicks!

 

[Canieldonrad]

Eh its an experience. I'd like to try out Spangled instead at this point. At least with Spangled I have a better idea of the condition of stock. Just need to find some that are close.