The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[BamaChicken]

Renie you don't need a black to keep the eye color correct. Just cull all with light eyes and keep only the best if possible.

I think having a splash can be valuable. that is my humble opinion. I think there are many theories on this subject. I would like to hear Matt's opinion when he gets back on here.
I know there is a discussion on breeding blue on Classroom at the Coop.

I know one breeder who used to be on here and I valued her opinion but maybe haven't followed her advice as her thought was you only always need two good blues. So as I said many theories.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Question for you all, when do the English Orps begin laying? Are they considered to be "slow maturing" like the SPPR's I grew out this year? (they were almost 32 weeks when they started laying)

I know "regular" Orps lay about the same as most breeds, but because of the extra size of the English Orps, I figured they are probably slower maturing.

 

[BamaChicken]

Mine generally start laying between 7 to 9 months. I have had a few lay at six months but they came into lay in the summer. They are slower maturing.

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

HC, I think some of mine were laying between 5 and 6 months... The big splash hen was the first then a black and then a blue.... I think they were waiting on the bigger, lower, hen boxes to be installed. I had an egg in a box within a week of installing the new boxes. I have two groups of bbs(American) I bought from 2 other sources... they just started laying really well this week.. right after..... I removed like 16 extra roos from the coop. Soo I think part of it is maturity and the other part is ...are they happy?

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

Julie,

I just looked it up... The ones you hatched for me in March.... started laying in Sept. So they were 6 months old.

 

[justuschickens59]

Quote:
Happy Chooks - I have three 100% English hens/pullets right now. The two youngest pullets (The O's) are about 5-1/2 months old. Their combs have not even started to turn red yet, so I am not looking for them to lay until around 8 months or so. Clementine did not start laying until between 9-10 months old. Clementine took MUCH longer to mature than my US Orps.

For my 75% ENglish pullets, I only have one laying and she started around 6-7 months old. My other 75% girls vary in ages 2.5 months to 7 months and none of those are laying yet.

From what I am reading here, it appears that the pullets that are not 100% English mature a bit sooner than the 100% English pullets.

 

[justuschickens59]

Renie - It depends on why you want to have a Splash. I like to keep a splash rooster myself, not that I necessarily want splash birds. I have had very few splash chicks from Winston and any other hen I have bred him with.

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

Joy,

I love them... I was devastated when I lost Larry Bird... But rather than run out and buy another... or keep one of these American style that I got from else where... I chose to tell myself.... Now self... you have all the fixins you need to make another Splash roo right here in the coop.... Soo just wait till next spring and breed your own.

Don't worry I just knodded... cuz only crazy people answer themselves out loud.. lol

 

[Happy Chooks]

Thanks for the responses. So it's as I figured, they are slower maturing. Good to know.

I don't remember the exact percentage of mine, I think they are 50%. I'm searching for the PM Cheryl sent me about that. The boy is looking less like an ostrich now, it appears he's going to be a dark blue. I'll post some pics as soon as I can upload. My internet is *usable* at the moment, but uploading is still not happening.

 

[BamaChicken]

Well let me add this. Lizzie my All english hen begin laying at six months. I was so surprised. So it may have to do with size and maturity. My Lizzie grew more after starting to lay. She never was a good layer though. Started out laying soft shell eggs. Very Sporadic as she would lay about 4 a week for a while and then none for awhile. She was not a favorite of Charlies either or He hers.