Show quality?

[careeka22]

Lavenders are bad about sun fading, and always look better after a good molt. They are also prone to getting lighter each generation, which is why many folks keep black/split ones to breed back into their lines.
Also can't tell from the pic, but they should be really broad across the chest.
This was one of my big boys.
View attachment 1741641

This is the best chest shot I have.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Lavenders are bad about sun fading, and always look better after a good molt.

I live in the PNW where sun is a treat.. even when it isn't raining, heavy forestation. Of course it's still intense when it is shining, but not like when I lived at more southern location. (and I'm not doubting your statement, just delving a little deeper also.)

My local friend has lav's (currently Ameraucana) and so do I. I haven't had creaminess like that and she does. We didn't get ours from the same line. I didn't experience it when I tried Orps (semi short term) either. I consider it mostly genetic... something I would select against, other things like body type before color of course.

That being said, OP.. no it isn't the lighting as I have seen it in other birds.

If I had the ability and wanted to show.. maybe try him, just for the experience. I also don't think he will fare well in judging... but I try to be encouraging, anything's possible.

With lots of people liking the Lav Orp's, and many having the ability to breed toward the SOP (not accepted by APA as noted, but still has some guidelines set)... might be lot's of competition. Or not much. I'm sure there are many other people showing hatchery birds at lots of fairs.. If I was though.. I would order a bunch and grow them all out... selecting the best to show...

Oh wait, I see you say it's the state fair.. not even just county... expect and enjoy the competition and the learning if ya go!

 

[careeka22]

I live in the PNW where sun is a treat.. even when it isn't raining, heavy forestation. Of course it's still intense when it is shining, but not like when I lived at more southern location. (and I'm not doubting your statement, just delving a little deeper also.)

My local friend has lav's (currently Ameraucana) and so do I. I haven't had creaminess like that and she does. We didn't get ours from the same line. I didn't experience it when I tried Orps (semi short term) either. I consider it mostly genetic... something I would select against, other things like body type before color of course.

That being said, OP.. no it isn't the lighting as I have seen it in other birds.

If I had the ability and wanted to show.. maybe try him, just for the experience. I also don't think he will fare well in judging... but I try to be encouraging, anything's possible.

With lots of people liking the Lav Orp's, and many having the ability to breed toward the SOP (not accepted by APA as noted, but still has some guidelines set)... might be lot's of competition. Or not much. I'm sure there are many other people showing hatchery birds at lots of fairs.. If I was though.. I would order a bunch and grow them all out... selecting the best to show...

Oh wait, I see you say it's the state fair.. not even just county... expect and enjoy the competition and the learning if ya go!

Thank you for the great information! I may just observe this year. I'm about to get into hatching so maybe can produce something more along the standard. He's a cool roo none the less

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you for the great information! I may just observe this year. I'm about to get into hatching so maybe can produce something more along the standard. He's a cool roo none the less

I bet he would make some beautiful babies with a black/split hen! He does appear to have nice type. Legs and beak are nice and dark. And you could put some Vaseline on the comb and wattles and probably massage some color back, since he didn’t totally lose the points.
I remember reading somewhere that breeds that are prone to frostbite on their combs aren’t judged as harshly for it. It happens. You could always give him a shot to see what suggestions the judges have also. They will be seeing the whole bird. Pics can be so hard to judge by.
Good luck!

 

[careeka22]

I bet he would make some beautiful babies with a black/split hen! He does appear to have nice type. Legs and beak are nice and dark. And you could put some Vaseline on the comb and wattles and probably massage some color back, since he didn’t totally lose the points.
I remember reading somewhere that breeds that are prone to frostbite on their combs aren’t judged as harshly for it. It happens. You could always give him a shot to see what suggestions the judges have also. They will be seeing the whole bird. Pics can be so hard to judge by.
Good luck![/QUOTE

Thank you! Can I breed him back to a daughter if she is mixed or should I get a black split pure Orpington? I have a buff Orp but in my research aren't good to cross back. Here is one of his daughters just bred from my olive Egger hen. I also have black autralorps and barred rock. Looking to have some sex link babies soon. Maybe cross back on of those?

If I added a hen I really only want to add one or two so I want to make it count lol

 

[WVduckchick]

Cute chick, but no, you want to breed him to a black/split to lavender Orpington hen. If you can’t find a split, you could start with a black Orpington, and their offspring would be splits, but that will take two generations to then breed him to those offspring.

 

[careeka22]

Cute chick, but no, you want to breed him to a black/split to lavender Orpington hen. If you can’t find a split, you could start with a black Orpington, and their offspring would be splits, but that will take two generations to then breed him to those offspring.[/QUOT

Bum

Cute chick, but no, you want to breed him to a black/split to lavender Orpington hen. If you can’t find a split, you could start with a black Orpington, and their offspring would be splits, but that will take two generations to then breed him to those offspring.

Bummer lol. I'll see if I can find one. If this first hatch goes well I may just buy some Lavender Orpington eggs and keep a hen or 2 or ask if they have a split black.

 

[Fairview01]

I was wondering what others think of my Lavender Orpington Rooster? He's a year old, my first one. I was thinking of entering him at the VA State Fair in the fall. Thanks! View attachment 1741089

Judging a chicken occurs in 3 dimensions. Quality or lack thereof can not be determined by a few 2 dimensional pics although many will try to convince you otherwise.

If you want to learn what makes a chicken a show quality chicken in your breed go to a poultry show and enter your chicken. Ask for help from individuals showing the same breed and listen and listen and then listen more. What you learn will be more valuable than the entry fee.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Bum

You can breed anything you want... they just won't be show stock.

Lot's of us do project and that's how we have fun. You can breed Lav to Buff and get Blue Cream aka Porcelain... mostly a project color I think and not sure if you get that offspring in some of the first generation or you have to do more breeding back.. Project can be both fun and frustrating. It's definitely time consuming.

 

[careeka22]

Judging a chicken occurs in 3 dimensions. Quality or lack thereof can not be determined by a few 2 dimensional pics although many will try to convince you otherwise.

If you want to learn what makes a chicken a show quality chicken in your breed go to a poultry show and enter your chicken. Ask for help from individuals showing the same breed and listen and listen and then listen more. What you learn will be more valuable than the entry fee.

So true! I think I'll do just that. I'm still new to chickens, just two years in and he's my first roo so lots to learn! Thank you.