Russian Orloffs

[mississippifarmboy]

Had a few minutes today and although it was windy and hot, I decided to snap a few pictures of the latest birds. Not great pictures, but maybe I can get some better ones soon. These are around a year old or so, our strain;






And here are a few just out of the brooder in the grow out pen. All from our strain.

 

[NCSprout]

Nice spangles on those. I really like that tight comb and upright carriage on the rooster. What happened to his beard though? I got home a bit too late to get pics yesterday, hopefully get some today. The hens from StarBright are very close in pattern and color to your hens, the Kummer birds have those bigger white areas similar to the pics of your younger birds. Here's a good side by side taken a few months ago.

The StarBright birds have molted since and are showing more of the white outer band in the spangle.

 

[RedDrgn]

How do orloffs do in a mixed flock? Are they generally good/don't care, or are they one of those breeds that tends to be on the "one flock/one breed" side of the spectrum? I've been looking at orloffs for about two years, but haven't found much information about that aspect of the breed, and while I haven't acquired any yet (because I haven't found any near me), I'd like to. Just wondering if they'd stand a chance being integrated into my currently motley of breeds or not. Thanks!

 

[NCSprout]

I have kept them in a mixed flock with no problems at all. They are with other breeds that hatched with them as well as birds i have introduced over the time I have had them. Like any chicken flock, there is the establishment of a pecking order, but nothing excessive.

 

[RedDrgn]

I have kept them in a mixed flock with no problems at all. They are with other breeds that hatched with them as well as birds i have introduced over the time I have had them. Like any chicken flock, there is the establishment of a pecking order, but nothing excessive.

Awesome, and thanks!

 

[NCSprout]

And by the way, for anyone looking for eggs Erhard Weihs at Kummer poultry has both Spangled and Mahogany available. His website is currently down, but you can get in touch with him directly thru email. They are quality birds for a reasonable price.

Erhard Weihs <[email protected]>

 

[kahlua]

Since this thread is getting more active...I thought I'd share some of my Orloffs. They are...9 weeks old now, I think. Please don't mind the junk in the background...they didn't want to come out in the open for pictures
This girl is my favorite - both in looks and personality. She is the friendliest by far. But I am new to chickens...am I on the right track??







This is (I believe) the only cockerel in the group. I got 3 boys but 2 chicks died, and I think they were the 2 other boys. I know he has too much white, but he is BIG and really tall and gamey looking...







A few of the others...


Not sure if this one will develop a beard - some are slower than others but a few aren't showing any signs of a beard yet.



\

I do have some more chicks I'm growing out, but they are only a week old. I would love any comments, positive or negative, I really want to learn and I can take it I only plan to keep the nicest few.

 

[Davlyn]

All Nice Birds ( to me ) . I just ordered some thru " ideal " Been looking for awhile. No one around here seems to have any. And for a time I had no more room in the coops. Now I do . At this time I am not planning on raising or showing. Just wanted a few RO's .
Thanks to everyone that shares the pic's of their beloved birds. I love to see them all.

Thank You ,
Linda

 

[mississippifarmboy]

Nice spangles on those. I really like that tight comb and upright carriage on the rooster. What happened to his beard though?

lol, he is bearded, just going through a weird molt right now. A few weeks ago he looked like a darn Turken.

pitiful lil feller. I was looking at him again this morning and the feathers coming in make him look like a Chinaman in one of those bad B movies from the '50's. I'll see later if I can find some pictures before the molt with a full beard. I'll try and take a few pictures of the older birds too, including the other roosters in the other coop.

 

[NCSprout]

kahlua- They look like they're gonna be nice looking birds. I'd love to see them a little older, after a few molts. I have a feeling the one you are wondering about the beard of is going to be a boy, looks a lil more upright and almost looks like saddle feathers developing, but it could just be the angle. Sometimes the males have less of a beard than the females.

MFB- That is funny. I could see the little tufts on the side and the little sprigs. You just never really know with these birds. I have one that gets absolutely bald on the back up to the shoulders before she starts to regrow, reminds of one of those hairless crested dogs. I emailed those newsletters to you, did you get them?