Russian Orloffs

[OrloffTom]

For those maybe coming in late to the thread we've started an Orloff forums https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/img/avatars/64152.jpg and we've got a website in the works too (thanks to Haiku) http://russianorloff.weebly.com/

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

I put a poll for the name on the website. I have three options on there...but what do you all think of using "North America" instead of just America, for any version of the name?

Also, has anyone been able to track down a current standard in a country where the breed is accepted? I am had zilch luck with this.

Scratch that: here's the UK club: http://www.russianorloffclubofgreatbritain.co.uk/id1.html

 

[TomNY]

The ABA standard will work. look no farther than the US.


American Poultry Association,Inc.By-laws[taken from 2010APA yearbook, pgs. 203-218]
Article VI-American Standard of Perfection Section 2a[pg215]--------------If a breed or variety has previously been accepted by the American Bantam Assoc,a qualifying meet will not be required if the Standard Committee is satisfied, through show reports from the US and Canadian shows, that 200 or more birds have been shown by at least three exhibitors in the past three years. If the description is in conflict with the APA the Standard Committee shall work withthe Standard Committee of the ABA to remove these conflicts.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

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Can someone post that standard? I assume it at least describes or allows for a spangled bird. The old APA standard I've seen only seems to describe a black bird. Which is very odd to me....

 

[OrloffTom]

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I'll go vote here in a just few minutes

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[Rare Feathers Farm]

So start showing your Orloffs?!

I am planning on taking two or three to a show next month....just for kicks....

 

[groaners]

I'm picking up a couple of Orloff's from the feed store this weekend! It's been hard finding a lot of info about them. No expereience with them except for seeing a couple at the poultry show. What beauties! A few quick q's
How are they in a mixed flock? Are the submissive, dominant, etc.?
Are they good foragers?
I figure they are pretty cold hardy, are they also heat tolerant at all?
Also I hear they are not affectionate but not aggressive either, are they flighty at all?
If anyone has experience with both EE's and Orloffs how do they compare in temperament?
THANKS in advance

 

[mississippifarmboy]

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Can only speak for my own flocks but our's are very freindly, they don't pick on the other chickens and are a lot quiter than most of our other breeds. I must stress that none of our chickens are pets. They only get handled when we have to move them, or if I catch one to get a closer look at a comb, looking at the wing coloring and such. With that being said, I have one hen that sometimes flies up on my arm to get a little petting and attention when I'm throwing out their scratch treats. The roosters fight more with each other as they get older than the roosters of our other breeds, but nothing serious. The roosters are very gentle with the hens, people and other animals. Also all our Orloffs are very inquisitive and nosey. Anything you do, they have to come check it out, make sure it's being done right.
We have never ran ours in a mixed flock past 5 - 6 months old, but no problems to that age. They are excellent foragers, I'd rate them about a 7 - 8 on the scale there.
Never owned an EE, so can't help with that comparison.
We do raise several breeds and varieties though and I guess the Orloffs are my favorites.

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

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In a mixed flock, my pullets held their own, but without being assertive or bossy over the other chickens. They stayed together and took care of themselves, and were neither bullies nor bottom of the pecking order. They always seemed to want to be out scratching about and did a great job of cleaning up my garden over the course of the fall. No idea about heat. Mine were very friendly birds AND flighty, and were constantly flying up onto my shoulder, or on my back if I bent over for some reason. Always flying TO me, never away, and never had a problem with them flying the coop. They were in EVERYTHING inside of it though, and liked to be close whenever we were around, seemed to like to be held, would often jump up on my hand like a parakeet if I held my hand low. They are breathtakingly beautiful to watch move about the yard, but it was really their personalities that suckered me in.

If the "good" lines are not as friendly as those hatchery birds, I will likely stick with hatchery birds! (Welp, they were quite pretty, too.)

Have yet to try EE's, so I can't comment on that.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

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My personal experience is that they are quite bossy and nasty to other birds...even their own kind. I raised my last batch of pullets with each other and cochin pullets. Soon, they'd scalped one of my cochins badly and then one of their hatch mates. The rooster is actually turning out to be very sweet (so far). Mine did just fine this winter (-25 with the wind) and last summer we were over 100 degrees). They are housed on the north side of the coop...so it is cooler in the summer and in the winter. But they do well and seem to be very hardy. I am sure if I let mine range they'd do well at at that, too. They seem to be pretty smart (as chickens go).