The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[Christabelle]

This is an update on Butterball who is now 5 weeks old. Still no comb in sight and still not screaming cockerel. But, I'm not holding my breath since he's as big as the boys with larger combs.

That's a cute chick, and looks like a "she" to my less than professional eyes.. bet her lacing will be phenominal... But that's no suprize, with the pictures of your stock. Even though it is a sin, I covet your rooster, Rockstar.

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

This p ic was made Feb 2. I weighed this boy last Sat and he weighs 10lb 2 oz. He will be 10 months old next week. Sweet boy too. He is very special to me cause he was one of the only chicks i had hatch last year. I was in the hospital when he hatched and didnt get to see him till he was a few weeks old. There were two of them hatched under a hen and didnt know if they would make it or not cause I couldnt be there to separate them from the flock. My DH just had a friend put some chick starter and water in smaller feeders in the hen house. They made it and ran the yard in and out of the pen till I had to lock them up to keep predators from getting them on the outside. It was a pair and i have enjoyed watching this boy grow up

He has really grown since this pic and soon I will get some new good ones.

You don't need to hatch that many when they lQQk that GOOOD>.. lololol

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

Boy are these little ones hard to photograph. I had forgotten

Good news is they let me rub their chests while I was trying to be patient with their antics.

Here are Pearl and Opal. I believe one hatched Feb 12 (?) and the other maybe Feb 18th (?). Nellie will have to correct me. So, perhaps 4-5 weeks old. The middle picture captured the heat lamp reflecting on her back (the two "brooding" areas together are 14 x 36 ft and it's hard to warm up. It will be close to freezing tonight). In the last picture I was trying to show off their green sheen, but incandescent lighting doesn't do the trick. Anyhow, here are two of my girls.

Very Very nice..... I am soo freaking tired right now... NPIP tests were done on 96 chicks this morning... now i have to do my chores.

 

[fowlman01]

Another thing I thought of as advice is: "Don't go by how they're described". Too many people making incorrect/false statements. Best to get to know a few breeders. The honesty will be apparent.

Good advice! People will say all kinds of strange things about their birds when they are selling them.......some people lie and some just don't know and put descriptions they may have read somewhere.
These British Orps will be as inexpensive as others chickens as soon as people start reproducing them in greater quantities. The problem with the reproductions is that the way a chicken looks can be changed very quickly if the "breeder" does not know what they are doing. Putting a male and female chicken together is not breeding. Most folks online don't know how to breed a bird and that will be reflected in the offspring reproduced. Beware of anyone claiming 'so and so" lines and beware of anyone who does not want to show you a picture of their breeding birds. Just beware period if you are paying a lot of money for a chicken! Some are worth the money...most are not.

Walt

 

[Kiniska]

They are going to be some super nice birds for you Kiniska..congrats..and enjoy every minute..You will be joining the lawn chair club..Once they get out in the yard..you will be spending a lot of time admiring them from the comfort of the lawn chair.

I look forward to joining the lawn chair club. Caught my husband staring mesmerized over the half wall at the brooder pen last night. I asked him if he wanted to move his recliner over there or move the chicks in to the living room. All I got was a sheepish grin. Here's to hoping these cuties get him hooked.

 

[lildinkem]

The thought these BBS Orps are the first UK Orps brought into this hemisphere in 50 years is simply not true. Don told me of a fella who brought in UK Buffs over a dozen years ago. He got eggs from Canada before they tightened the bio security laws. Whether it was "legally" imported eggs is still not known. That guy sold a huge 16 lbs Buff cockerel at an east coast show to a guy from the north Midwest. That Buff blood has been since used by a number of very well sought after APA Buff breeders.
These are the first Buff Orps I ever owned (thank you LEE!!!!). Clearly they have UK blood in them.
Whether you folks like it or not, this is not a new idea.

 

[aveca]

Very Very nice..... I am soo freaking tired right now... NPIP tests were done on 96 chicks this morning... now i have to do my chores.

Fantastic Dee!!! Going to be some classy girls.

 

[deek]

Irene, I hope you get some rest after your chores. Order pizza.

Thanks christabelle , lotsacluckin, and Lynne.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

 

[Renie'sPeeps]

Irene, I hope you get some rest after your chores. Order pizza.

Thanks christabelle , lotsacluckin, and Lynne.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I believe I will.. thank you

 

[delisha]

You are doing the right thing by coming in this room and others like it. By reading, you learn. By looking at pictures in this room or others like it too, compare pictures to other English birds..from England...read about the British Poultry Standard and also the American Standard. Compare American birds against the American standard. Find a friend and visit a few shows. Talk to a few exhibitors. Ask tons of questions. Take notes. Take your time. Make a plan. Knowledge is your power..with out it you make the decision to make mistakes.(we all do)

By making a statement that a bird is 50% bla bla's and 50% bla bla's..they are dropping names that other people recognize. People use names, it seems name dropping has some sort of power. Do not be impressed with name dropping. Just the hard work that has gone into them and the health of the beautiful birds.
When starting out is is a better investment to find someone you trust (that takes time)and invest in a trio or a quad. Know the person, what they are doing. Health issues. A nice trio is a good start. Investing in a good trio is cheaper than feeding out a bunch of chicks. English Orpingtons are eating machines.

What are the purpose of the birds? Are you going to free range or pasture? How much room do you have? Do you have predator problems? Are you going to test your flock? Are you purchasing from a tested flock? What are your State and county laws about chickens? How large is your coop?
Are you going to eat them? Are you going to show? How many do you want? Are you going to breed them? Are you going to sell them?