The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[Renie'sPeeps]

oh wow... I just can't wait to start hatching out my own little chicks next yr. It is just not a good idea for me do so now since our winters are soo cold. I still have chick dust from this yr to clean up. uggg

Yesterday... I worked my butt off outside finishing up the construction clean up and prepping the Chicken coop for winter. Brad rough wired the coop for electric. Sooo I have been waiting for the electrician to come run juice out there but we are expecting snow soon. The waterers in the covered yards have been iced over.... SOO I rigged up a 100ft cord. I set up (2) 5 qt. heated dog bowls that use 50watts each. Now I have 16 buffs on one side and 23 bbs's (I think) on the other side. I know I will probably have to fill the bowls at least 2x a day. I get really nervous messing with electric. That outside outlet... is a GFI but it only has 2 sockets... soo the other socket I use a 6ft multiplug cord for 2 more bowls for my Pugs. So as far as I know... the bowls will be using 200watts total... Does anyone know.... Will using that 100ft cord draw more jucie?? I would very much like to have the option of running a light in there if I wanted to. Meanwhile I sit here waiting on the electrican to get here.

Awww the things we do for our birds... lol

 

[justuschickens59]

Bill - When I imported the Blue and Black eggs, I also imported Crele and Buff Orp eggs too but, alas, none of those hatched. I feel very lucky to have had two chicks hatch (Winston and Clementine hatch) and how lucky to get a rooster and a hen ?? I would love to get some Crele and Buffs over here from the UK.

Renie - We don't have electric to our barn either and I'm real uncomfortable with running cords down there, especially in the winter. Our barn is about 150 yards or so from the house, so we have to string a bunch of extension cords together to run down there. We will run a cord down there for lights if it is going to be bitter cold - luckily we don't have to do that too often because we don't get real cold weather for an extended period of time down here. We also run fans down in the barn in the summer when it gets really hot - and the heat was oppressive this summer. I use those big rubber things for water in the winter. If it freezes, you can just turn it over, stomp on it, and the big chunk pops out and then you can just refill it. Much easier than trying to actually thaw a waterer.

 

[lildinkem]

Quote:
Boy that would have been great. I would have loved to see what you two could have done with those. I read what Julie said about David Pownall loosing his Buffs. According to Paul Montieth, he thought David had the best Buffs in the UK. And to hear of his devasting loss must have the entire Buff Orp world crying along with David. I was lucky to find a few pics of David's Buff flock. And they are outstanding examples of Orpingtons. I hope David gets some more growing like what he lost. Now I know why I don't like going anywhere. And why I have so many nice big dogs. My worries have been more 4 legged then two legged. Thankfully my guys scare them off too.

 

[BamaChicken]

Bill according to the Brits, he didn't lose everything so I am sure he is up and going with replacement.
I really like the legbar color of Orps. I have seen a few breeders in UK who have them. I have lost interest in the Gold lace. The only ones I ever saw that was so impressive to me was in Poland and she got hers from Germany. UK buffs would be a great addition over here. I just love the height angle on their tails. It just looks so awesome to me.

Joiy I just saw the Hoss getting on one of the pullets who isn't even laying yet. I need to move those girls out. I am giving them the opportunity to come out an freerange today. If they do I will try and take some updated photos of Ms. M and another Charlie pullet that is bit younger.
All my hens are finally about to get through their molts. They haven't started laying yet. As soon as they do I can hatch chicks for some of you. I have only two pullets laying. Not much laying going on in any pen here right now. Barely enough for breakfast.

I am beyond excited for this years breeding. I need to take a pic of one of my hens that finished molting standing by Charlie. She is the same height. She is an whopper. I may put Hoss over her this year and see what size babies and what color I get.

Irene you spoil yours

I gotta go get some feed and do a few errands. talk to yall later.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
Wow Katy, they are growing out very nicely!! I'm like you that blue girl has beautiful lacing coming on. I'm snuggled up for winter as it's snowing here today but I'm dreaming already of hatchings from these English next Spring!!! lol

Renie, I have electric in my henhouse and breeder coops. I too use the heated dog bowls in the winter time. I don't use heat lamps or lights in the winter my electric is mostly for the dog bowl use or when I need to lock up at night and gather eggs in winter darkness!! I'm in WV and we have very cold winters my BBS Orps english and standard fair very well without heat.

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

I want the electrician to come hook it up and bury the wire. Even if I have to dig the trench myself. He better hurry up cuz the ground will freeze solid before long. I just couldn't wait on him any longer so I ridged up the cord. NOW he better get here and hook up the new genny to a transfer box... Or me, the dogs, chickens, and my family are headed to his house everytime the power goes out. lol

I am thinking I could put a thermometer in the coop for now to monitor the temps.... All them fat feathery chickens .. along with the fact the coop is insulated and I keep the shavings deep on the floor might just be warm enough in there to keep the water from freezing if I use Large waterers... I have one that I keep in the blue yard that holds like 7 gals. I don't really want to rish it cracking due to frozen water. I don't know.. just wished the electrican would get HERE!!

 

[lildinkem]

Quote:
After you initially posted about his losses I did a search and druelled over his Buffs. Loosing any would be devasting. I am glad to know he still has his bloodline and coming back. But still, that is aweful to hear for anyone. And the crooks only wanted to eat them is even worse. They should get the same treatment I gave a Racoon the other nite. Take a few bites from my dogs!

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

Lildinkem,
Would you please sent the link... I would love to see his birds too.

 

[lildinkem]

Renie'sPeeps :

Lildinkem,
Would you please sent the link... I would love to see his birds too.

give me a sec to transfer over the pics I have to my photobucket and I will post them


Wouldn't it suck to loose just one of those Buffs?

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

BamaChicken

Irene you spoil yours

You Reckon?? hahaha

I've got one little black SH hen that follows me everywhere.... I can't get out of her site. I wind up having to carry her around in the coop while I work or she will get stepped on.