Russian Orloffs

[ashandvine]

I have to admit that more and more I don't give a snit about the white. I know it shouldn't be there but type is so much more important and trying to get them up in weight is the real deal for me. After reading that they used to be nearly 10 cocks I realized this breed has sunk rather low. Its not the only breed. My Java is half the weight she should be, too. BUT all 11 are still alive and that is a huge accomplishment right now. I need to get them weaned off the heat so I can get them out of the house. Tomorrow is our first show where we are showing- not Orloffs, but there is a judge in our club who is really looking forward to seeing one. I told her I would bring more than one next year if all goes well to next year's show.

 

[desertmarcy]

Where is everybody? I just got finished going through my 12 Orloff cockerels from this year. That took me a couple of hours just for 12 birds.
I thought I only had 2 from my original red male, but on close inspection, there are 3. The toe punch on one of them was just very small and hard to see. 2 of his offspring are very brown-red and have mostly brown muffs instead of white. I was going to keep one of those anyway, because I think he is going to be huge. But I saw he has a slight cross beak. Very slight, but it is there. This is a genetic/inbreeding problem I believe, and I have a small percentage of offspring that I have to cull for it so I better not keep him. I hatched these Orloffs over a 2-month period this year and that is making it very difficult to compare size. My largest weighed 7 lbs. I suspect he was one of the first hatched. Unfortunately, he also has the most number of totally white primaries.

I love this breed. They are so calm. I was able to get every one of them to stay still on my scale long enough to get a reading. I didn't have to stuff them in a box to weight them

. Try that with some other breeds. They'd be gone in a shot.

 

[Pozees]

Where is everybody? I just got finished going through my 12 Orloff cockerels from this year. That took me a couple of hours just for 12 birds.
I thought I only had 2 from my original red male, but on close inspection, there are 3. The toe punch on one of them was just very small and hard to see. 2 of his offspring are very brown-red and have mostly brown muffs instead of white. I was going to keep one of those anyway, because I think he is going to be huge. But I saw he has a slight cross beak. Very slight, but it is there. This is a genetic/inbreeding problem I believe, and I have a small percentage of offspring that I have to cull for it so I better not keep him. I hatched these Orloffs over a 2-month period this year and that is making it very difficult to compare size. My largest weighed 7 lbs. I suspect he was one of the first hatched. Unfortunately, he also has the most number of totally white primaries.

I love this breed. They are so calm. I was able to get every one of them to stay still on my scale long enough to get a reading. I didn't have to stuff them in a box to weight them

. Try that with some other breeds. They'd be gone in a shot.

It's a lot of work to go through that many males even when they're calm - are you happy with your choices? Would love to see some pics

I am headed to AZ next week - Phoenix - for a class. If it was Tucson I would be begging to come visit and experience your lovely birds. I have no Orloffs at this time but hope to in the future.

 

[desertmarcy]

It's a lot of work to go through that many males even when they're calm - are you happy with your choices? Would love to see some pics

I am headed to AZ next week - Phoenix - for a class. If it was Tucson I would be begging to come visit and experience your lovely birds. I have no Orloffs at this time but hope to in the future.

Shucks, too bad, sounds like you won't have time from a drive down here. It is 2 hr drive between here and Phoenix.

I am wishing the big alpha male didn't have so many white primaries. He is a nice bird. I would still like to see the size bigger, but he is young yet. I will probably continue to grow out 1/2 of these cockerels for a little while but it is starting to get noisy here with all the crowing. Somewhere along the way I lost the solid white muffs and beards. I am going to try breeding back to some hens that have it. Most of these birds have beards that are 1/2 white and 1/2 brown/mahogany. That is the challenge, I guess, of breeding chickens. Focus on one thing, and lose another. I went through 20 pullets after posting about the cockerels. I am using a method recommended to me on those numbered leg bands. Putting a small drop of super glue and holding it closed with a needle nosed pliers for a few seconds. Otherwise the birds get the bands off. I bought a 20-pack of small super glue vials on eBay. They don't keep well once opened. Came out to about .25/vial.

 

[Pozees]

Shucks, too bad, sounds like you won't have time from a drive down here. It is 2 hr drive between here and Phoenix.

I am wishing the big alpha male didn't have so many white primaries. He is a nice bird. I would still like to see the size bigger, but he is young yet. I will probably continue to grow out 1/2 of these cockerels for a little while but it is starting to get noisy here with all the crowing. Somewhere along the way I lost the solid white muffs and beards. I am going to try breeding back to some hens that have it. Most of these birds have beards that are 1/2 white and 1/2 brown/mahogany. That is the challenge, I guess, of breeding chickens. Focus on one thing, and lose another. I went through 20 pullets after posting about the cockerels. I am using a method recommended to me on those numbered leg bands. Putting a small drop of super glue and holding it closed with a needle nosed pliers for a few seconds. Otherwise the birds get the bands off. I bought a 20-pack of small super glue vials on eBay. They don't keep well once opened. Came out to about .25/vial.

Once you get the size you want you should be able to bring in the other traits you seek. If I am understanding what I've read correctly, size is a high priority, and if you have a male with size it's a plus. Confounding that he has white primaries but not a white beard.

 

[ashandvine]

Its a busy season here. All the fall harvest, hunting, and fall clean up, school of course and shows. My 11 chicks are still here! I was nearly certain I was going to lose half when I saw those bloody stools but they have all made it-- with some quick interventions. I will try to post some pics soon. I want to get started on that down/feather study but I also would like to have a visual spreadsheet on head types and male to females as well. I need to get another sd for the camera first and that isn't happening this weekend.

 

[mcclucks]

I too have Orloff's. I only have 3 but one of them has the "cross-beak" as you worded it. I love their demeanor, very docile but full of personality. I look forward to interacting with them every day. This is my first attempt to raise chickens in town and so far i am loving it. Thanks for the post.

 

[FridayYet]

Its a busy season here.  All the fall harvest, hunting, and fall clean up, school of course and shows.  My 11 chicks are still here!  I was nearly certain I was going to lose half when I saw those bloody stools but they have all made it-- with some quick interventions.  I will try to post some pics soon.  I want to get started on that down/feather study but I also would like to have a visual spreadsheet on head types and male to females as well.  I need to get another sd for the camera first and that isn't happening this weekend. 

Can't wait to see the pictures. Orloffs are on my short list to get when I move to a bigger place.

 

[Shasty57]

How old was your Russian Orloff when she started laying? Mine is 28 weeks and still no eggs.

 

[desertmarcy]

How old was your Russian Orloff when she started laying? Mine is 28 weeks and still no eggs.

I am getting eggs from some of mine now. A few have been laying for a couple of weeks. Most of them were hatched in March but I have a couple of stray hatches that were older. So about 7 months.