Russian Orloffs

[Gresh]

A question for the Orloff breeders: I have heard that Orloffs are poor layers, but poor laying ability varies among opinion and strain (i.e. someone used to Leghorns will refer to a bird that lays 100-200 eggs a year as a poor layer, others may refer to it as average/decent) as well as certain lines may only lay a few while another may reach a production rate that is 10 times as much as the described line.

So the question is, how decent of egg layers are Orloff's? If possible, can you describe it in numbers?

Thanks and God bless,
Daniel.

Well, as you know, I am not (unfortunately) an Orloff breeder, but in the past I have done quite a bit of research on them.

I have heard mixed opinions about the Orloff's laying ability. I have read some accounts that say Orloffs are wonderful layers, and then other accounts say that they are medium layers. I'm not sure if I've heard of them being poor layers. One repeating point I've read is that Orloff pullets are great layers in their first year, but then drop off considerably after that.

I read somewhere that Orloffs are better as a meat bird than as an egg bird. My hatchery Orloff pullet is deformed and a little odd-looking, so she hasn't started laying yet; and I fear she may never, so I can't give my opinion on hatchery Orloff production.

God Bless,
~Gresh~

 

[NCSprout]

I have 4 hens, all in their first year of laying. They are from 2 different breeders. My 2 Kummer birds will be ayear old in April and my 2 StarBright birds will be a year old in July. At this point I have not found less than 2 orloff eggs in the nest box when I go to collect everyday.
One of the Kummer ladies gives my 5 eggs in a week. I don't know how long this will continue, but they have produced rather well so far. I have been getting eggs throughout the winter. I have heard as well that the first year is good for production and after that they drop off, we'll see. Hope that helps you some.

 

[no roosters]

I got my Russian Orloffs yesterday. I ordered 5 pullets from Ideal and the picture below is what I got.
I was surprised with 20 mystery males for warmth. Still not sure what I am going to do with 20 packing peanuts.

 

[thechickonthehill]

Still waiting on my eggs. Michelle says her hens aren't being very cooperative yet so it may be a while. At least I will have all my other hatching out of the way by the time I get my Orloff eggs. In the meantime I will study my standard and build more coops/pens.

 

[DTchickens]

Thanks for your reply Gresh, and NCSprout.

God bless,
Daniel.

 

[donnaboydjones]

I have two , Russian Orloff hens and two pullets. They are beautiful and sweet birds. The older hens I got from a breeder as adults, so they have always kept their distance from me, but the pullets I incubated myself and follow me all over the yard and eat from my hand. They lay well for me and have never had a problem.

 

[Gresh]

Nice looking birds, all!

Here's some more pictures of my Orloff cockerel:








Does anyone else have pictures of fully-grown Orloffs from Ideal Poultry? I'm placing an order for some more this summer and am wanting to know what your average stock looks like. My present Orloff from Ideal is not a good representation because she is one of those "runts" you occasionally get from hatcheries--you know, crooked beak, extremely small size, etc.

~Gresh~

 

[flowerchild59]

I guess I never realized how beautiful the orloffs are.

 

[Sarplaninec]

For Sale: Trio of Orloffs. They are all a year old.
$75 the for Trio.
I can ship them to you or you can come pick them up.Shipping price not included.

 

[happyhens120]

Hey Orloff peeps!
I have two hens and a roo and have some eggs in the incubator now. Here's my question... everything I see/read about the chicks says they are a yellow/orange color. I had two eggs that didn't hatch so I cracked them to take a peek and they were not yellow. They seem to have that chipmunk stripe. Is this typical for Orloff chicks or does it mean that somewhere in my bloodline there's something other than Orloff?

I sent two dozen eggs in to school for a second grade project, and most of them hatched... including two Orloffs. There was another lady who brought in half a dozen Easter Eggers, and five of them hatched. I know that EE's are striped, and she swears that Orloffs should be yellow, but there were 7 striped chicks. I thought at first that maybe eggs from my EE that lays brown eggs was in that mix, but now I'm not sure. I have no clue if the lady took two of my Orloffs or took her own.

Any suggestions? Can anyone post some pics? I see in the pic above that they are striped. I am starting to breed them since my ladies and roo are gorgeous, and I don't want them to end up in the wrong hands! Thanks!