Russian Orloffs

[OrloffTom]

A question on chicks in regards to leg color. Can you tell pretty much from a day or so old if they have white or yellow legs? My local TSC may be getting some in this year and I would like to get some if at all possible but I'd like to get the yellow legs to at least have that much right lol.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

You can pretty much tell when you get them. What hatchery are they coming from? They should have very little white (yellow) on them and make sure they have tail buds. Some birds I had from Ideal were rumpless and tufted!

 

[OrloffTom]

Quote:
Well, I've not gotten any yet. TSC may be getting some in a couple weeks. The lady told me last year that she was gonna or did order some but you don't know if they will send them or not. I was wanting to know just in case they did so I could get the right colored legs at least

.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Quote:
Wow! Really? Glad I didn't order those last year. Was going to, but they were out when I called.

And you're right, the leg color is noticeable at hatch, but I did have a few white legged cockrells that got a slight yellowish tinge at around two months old. It never got any darker after that though.

Done my final culling on the 75 I started with last year. Down to 2 roosters and 8 hens. Sad, keeping 10 out of 75. Especially since I'm not happy with my main rooster. He's got the size, carriage, leg color, and good base color, but the comb needs work and he has very little spangling. It was a tough call on the last few roosters, but I decided to go with the best shape, size and comformation and work on the color and comb in future generations. The other rooster looks like the splash colored ones on Feathersite, I kept him for a seperate project.

Has anyone else noticed that fewer hens seem to have white legs and that the white legged roosters have the best spangling?

 

[6littlechickies]

Quote:
they should all have yellow legs, also look for muffs/beards.


here is a pic of one that's only a couple days old.

here is a pic of one, probably a week or two old as feathers are starting to come in but you can see the leg color and muffs.

first pic was taken inside, second was outside in natural light.

 

[OrloffTom]

Ah great thanks for the info folks!

 

[TomNY]

I would worry about any white legs in a batch. That's almost certain Speckled Sussex which means combs are not RP-RP. Nonhomogeneous comb genetics will mean a lot of poor combs down the line. Tom

 

[furryloo]

Okay, just to confirm - you want to keep the ones with yellow leg and muffs? Right?

Right now our plan is to have only 5 hens and one rooster of the Orloffs. I am going to raise the other roosters we are getting for meat birds and I am pretty sure I don't want to keep a rooster that's been on broiler feed, right? So, I've got to decide within one week old which ones we are keeping. Our crevecour rooster that we kept is wonderful. From day one, he was flighty and alert and he has turned out to be the best rooster I have ever seen for our 8 hens. I am actually thinking of looking to see if he has all the stock traits and sell him to a breeder because he is just so wonderful as a free-ranging rooster and very protective. I might pick the flightiest Orloff rooster.

I might order more in a few months after I find another hatchery. There seems to be mixed reviews on the best hatchery, so I am bit confused by that.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Do you mean that the combs are not (R+P)?
Walnut Comb (R+P)
Walnut Comb breeds can have any of the following Genotypes-
PP RR
Pp RR
PP Rr
Pp Rr


Chris

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

IF the weather cooperates with me today, I'll try to get some updated photos of mine today, combs included.