Russian Orloffs

[JWEBB]

thank you

I candled again and not even a internal pip I fear they are all dead. Did not float well either. Back to the drawing board! Had them in the coolerbator hatcher with the chicken eggs 82% consistently and 98.5 temp. I was thinking it is because of something like weakness, perhaps they had a bacteria. well I'll try again!.. I really don't want late hatches I keep telling myself, we want vigor and hardiness. I suppose I should do a eggtopsy and see what I can learn from that.

 

[desertmarcy]

My hatch yesterday/last night went really well. 21 out of 23 hatched. This batch is for sale if anyone is interested. I already have 23 and I can't raise very many this year. Going to the PO later today with some RIRs....can take the Orloff too.

 

[vtguania]

JWEBB where they chicken eggs or turkey eggs? Either way it's a bummer, I've been there numerous times & it's no fun. Sorry to hear that.

desertmarcy look at you go hatching. WOOT WOOT Congrats on a really good hatch

 

[desertmarcy]

JWEBB where they chicken eggs or turkey eggs? Either way it's a bummer, I've been there numerous times & it's no fun. Sorry to hear that.

desertmarcy look at you go hatching. WOOT WOOT Congrats on a really good hatch

Yes, but I don't want so many. I just don't have the heart to abort the eggs before they hatch.

 

[JWEBB]

JWEBB where they chicken eggs or turkey eggs? Either way it's a bummer, I've been there numerous times & it's no fun. Sorry to hear that.

desertmarcy look at you go hatching. WOOT WOOT Congrats on a really good hatch

Right? 98% for Marcy

Tell you those are some NICE chicks Marcy, I am so happy with this batch. I don't blame you I wouldn't be able to do it either. They have good taste in feed already. Got my non gmo organic and they zoomed on it like they had not been eating at all...put Agway to shame.

Julio, chicken eggs did fairly well hatching and no funny feet or bum legs and all still kickin, it was the 7 Turkey eggs that were no show. I know I didn't drown them since the chicken eggs were ok. Some looked like they may have died right before lockdown. Our power went out week before hatch for about 4 hours was the only unusual thing happened. Maybe they cooled too much.

 

[desertmarcy]

I generally have a percentage of both chicken and turkey eggs that quit developing at some point. My first turkey egg hatch of the season is due out 3/30. Will be anxious to see how they do! I am really pleased with the way my Orloffs are hatching. I have very few that quit developing, they hatch on time and are very vigorous chicks. I was worried maybe they were getting too inbred but I don't think so from they way they hatch.

 

[ashandvine]

I like your observations of the birds and reasoning Marcy. I was just commenting on the vigor of one chick out of the hatcher recently. It was on caffeine! I was lucky to also have it be a very darkly marked chick so I am excited to keep it here just for its apparent vigor.

 

[penella22]

New to chickens but absolutely obsessed with Russian Orloff's. They seem like such incredibly neat birds. Very hard to find though! And even harder to find good quality ones it seems. Eventually I'd like to raise some as meat birds but with them being so rare right now I'd hesitate to do that. I'm also thinking that perhaps I should get a less valuable breed to learn on so if I mess up it doesn't mean the loss of a valuable bird.

Wondering what Orloff enthusiasts think about this? My current chicken chip is only 3x 4 which means I need to start with only 3 birds. Am I better off starting with a more common breed? Or, more accurately, are the Orloff's better off if I start with a different breed first?

 

[gander007]

New to chickens but absolutely obsessed with Russian Orloff's. They seem like such incredibly neat birds. Very hard to find though! And even harder to find good quality ones it seems. Eventually I'd like to raise some as meat birds but with them being so rare right now I'd hesitate to do that. I'm also thinking that perhaps I should get a less valuable breed to learn on so if I mess up it doesn't mean the loss of a valuable bird.

Wondering what Orloff enthusiasts think about this? My current chicken chip is only 3x 4 which means I need to start with only 3 birds. Am I better off starting with a more common breed? Or, more accurately, are the Orloff's better off if I start with a different breed first?

My lady's chillin for the evening

Start with what you want or you will just be miserable for ever
and yes they are hard to find but if you write to desertmarcy
I do believe she can help you out at the moment and yes
she has quality birds I will vouch for that every time

Life is to short so get what you want and enjoy it

gander007

 

[JWEBB]

My lady's chillin for the evening

Start with what you want or you will just be miserable for ever
and yes they are hard to find but if you write to desertmarcy
I do believe she can help you out at the moment and yes
she has quality birds I will vouch for that every time

Life is to short so get what you want and enjoy it

gander007

I agree!! get them NOW> they are big sturdy birds. They will help you learn. They are not "delicate" as fowl go, imo. You will love them

I haven't had chickens since I was a kid. I now have 20 something beautiful Orloff chicks. LOVE THEM. As for eating? at some point if you breed you may end up with more than you wish to use for breeding. Mine are from Desertmarcy and they could not be better than they are. That is a excellent place to start with some good stock.