The BANTAM ORPINGTON Thread

[HallFamilyFarm]

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Cackel's original Buff Orpington Bantams (BOBs as Nicole, age 6, calls them) are from J. Ralph Brazelton in the early 80's. Since they have renewed their stock from Andy Anderson, who got his start from Brazelton. You will have to cull heavy, but it is my understanding that Cackle does breed their BOBs to the SOP. With 25 BOB chicks from Cackle you can cull to at least two trios of quality stock. I know Ideal also ordered hatching eggs from Andy, but not sure of the quality. I have added stock from Cackle on occasion and then mated an excellent male from the direct Brazelton line. Chicks turn out great.

Orpingtons in large fowl and bantam mature slower and feather slowly.

Be sure to weigh any cockerel you keep from Cackle and cull if over size. SOP calls for: Cock: 38 oz; Hen: 34 oz; Cockerel: 34 oz; Pullet: 30 oz. SOP considers anything under one year old a cockerel/pullet. You can go a bit over, if type and color is great. There should be several nice BOB cockerels available at Crossroads. Also, Andy Anderson had several nice ones when we were there. Just $25 per bird plus shipping.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Thanks for all the great info Jim!

I really only got some because I want a cockerel to have as a "backup" for my bantam buff Faverolle project, so however they turn out they don't have to totally conform to the SOP for the bantam Orps.

But it's still good info to have because my "extras" will likely go to one of my 4Hers.

 

[Elinor's chicks]

Relating to the feathering question above, are mine on target? My broody hatched out 3 buffs from HenThyme's eggs on July 29, making them 2 weeks old last Friday. One has the shortest wing feathers and the barest hint of some sprouting in on the shoulders. The second has a bit more of both, and the third has the most wing feathers and lots coming in on the shoulders. I noticed tail feathers sprouting on all 3 yesterday. Is this good?

Could it indicate gender? My attempts at feather sexing at one day were inept at best. I thought then - 1 pullet, 1 cockerel and 1 that I couldn't tell. Since then, the one in the middle (couldn't tell) has nearly caught up with the one I thought might be a pullet. I keep staring at heads, but it seems way too early for combs?

I read on another thread that chicks raised with mom, feather out faster than incubator chicks?

 

[HenThymes]

Elinor's chicks :

Relating to the feathering question above, are mine on target? My broody hatched out 3 buffs from HenThyme's eggs on July 29, making them 2 weeks old last Friday. One has the shortest wing feathers and the barest hint of some sprouting in on the shoulders. The second has a bit more of both, and the third has the most wing feathers and lots coming in on the shoulders. I noticed tail feathers sprouting on all 3 yesterday. Is this good?

Could it indicate gender? My attempts at feather sexing at one day were inept at best. I thought then - 1 pullet, 1 cockerel and 1 that I couldn't tell. Since then, the one in the middle (couldn't tell) has nearly caught up with the one I thought might be a pullet. I keep staring at heads, but it seems way too early for combs?

I read on another thread that chicks raised with mom, feather out faster than incubator chicks?

I have found that my bator chicks feather much quicker than my chicks raised by a hen. Those raised by a hen are just slower to grow in general.

In my experience (with my orps, both LF & bantams) in most cases the pullets will feather in quicker than cockerels.

ps- I have three buffs growing out from my group growing up in various ages as well, all 3 are girls.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
You may find yourself building a breeding pen just for the Buff Orpington Bantams. They are gentle and really fun to have. Sure wished I had some. Mine were STOLEN by a short theif. We were able to get a photo of the theif!

I am keeping a closer eye on "my" breeds from now on. You can't trust those 4H Cloverbuds!

ETA: This is a 4'x4'x4' cube coop. Nicole has two trios in this coop. She is already claiming all BOBs before they hatch! When asked if we could fry her BOB eggs she said, "NO! They have baby chicks inside them. We have to set them!"

 

[OSUman]

Does anyone have White Orps? Ive only seen the few pictures off the UOC photo gallery, and would love to see some others.

 

[Inkheart]

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i second this as a first class lurker on here - would love to see some whites! -Tho they are ALL beautiful

 

[OSUman]

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i second this as a first class lurker on here - would love to see some whites! -Tho they are ALL beautiful

It seems that not many people have them. I am getting two trios of them this fall.

ETA I found a great picture of a nice female on the UOC site http://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=68523841

 

[Inkheart]

Very nice where are you getting yours from?

 

[Elinor's chicks]

Quote:
I have found that my bator chicks feather much quicker than my chicks raised by a hen. Those raised by a hen are just slower to grow in general.

In my experience (with my orps, both LF & bantams) in most cases the pullets will feather in quicker than cockerels.

ps- I have three buffs growing out from my group growing up in various ages as well, all 3 are girls.

OK, how do you tell what they are? This might be more appropriate on the 'Raising Chicks' thread, but since these are Orpington chicks ....

I change my mind every ten minutes. I'm pretty sure one is a pullet. When I feather-sexed her at one day, that's what she seemed to be then. She has the most feathers, her tail is wider, no hint of a comb or spur buds. The 'middle' one has slowed on feathering, while the lagger has caught up. They spar with each other, but my cochin pullet did that with her cockerel roommate when I first got them. Sometimes I think I see spur buds, sometimes I don't, and in the last two days, these two are showing the tiniest hint of combs, but not above the 'eyebrow' level.

The only reason it's important is - being an 'Urban' chicken keeper, I can't keep the boys. As hard as it may be to find homes for any, I'll need to start as soon as I can.

When does the hen 'wean' the chicks and think about laying again? She already dumps them off when they climb on her back, and she's starting to not let them crawl under her.

I went back through the thread to look at pictures. HenThymes you have chocolates? Oh my! If I only end up with one pullet, I will still have room for one more....