The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[deek]

Dee, how are your Wyandottes at laying?

They're pretty good actually. 6 out of 7 days usually. They're borrowed so I don't know their age.

 

[aveca]

Well, since everyone is posting about miracles on Easter Sunday...I thought I'd share a picture of a feather with you. What DON'T you see?

I am actually fighting back tears. This is really cool.

Thats fantastic Dee! the shaft absolutly matchs the surrounding feather.. Was it adding black? did you just select in the flock ? what toned it down..You must be just thrilled

 

[aveca]

Congrats, Deek! That is fantastic news!

I hatched my first chocolate bantam Orps from my flock today! Three fluffy little butts! I set these eggs right after I got them, too, so I was concerned fertility would be sketchy. I also hatched a black 100% English import bantam Orp from Tonea's eggs. I had some Ameraucanas and Mille Fleur (bantam Cochins) babies hatched as well. The duckies didn't make it...

Squee! Great day!

Congrats Ray..hope when you get a chance you take some pics..those chocolate batams are the cutest things ever..the real chocolate easter chick

 

[deek]

Thats fantastic Dee! the shaft absolutly matchs the surrounding feather.. Was it adding black? did you just select in the flock ? what toned it down..You must be just thrilled

I wished upon a star

No black. My little black jewels are babies. I'm just keeping them just in case some day I need to outcross. I might once though to have a third blood line.

I am very thrilled.

The first test hatches were all shafted so I stopped looking. The little guy that produced that feather hadn't grown chest feathers until now. So it was a very special surprise. His wings weren't shafted, but that's not usually the problem area for the cockerels. I checked him out this morning and I am very happy so far. I'm going to let him grow out with his sisters. I fear he'll never reach his genetically potential size with 5 older brothers. He might just get his own little gorilla cage and girls from the get go. We'll see.

I chose his parents for top priority traits. (Rock Star's amazing fertility and vigor and Victoria's egg laying.) As y'all know Rock Star's comb has a flopped point and Victoria is too blonde for my personal taste. But they both have good type (at least from my choices within my flock). Victoria doesn't have the tail I'd like, but Rock Star's is perfect (for me). Another big reason was that they're from two different bloodlines. Never in my wildest dreams did I think those two would produce chicks with nice, deeply colored primaries (since they don't) that are perfectly laced and never did I even consider that this anomaly would occur.

Now, if I can just make it happen again....

 

[galanie]

That is really great news Rey! Congratulations.

Have a few silly questions for all you chicken lovers. First, I have found that I spend hours just mesmerized by watching the EO chicks interact with each other. Unfortunately to the detriment of my house chores. Will this fascination fade or is the cleanliness my house doomed to neglect from now on? By the way, the brooder is of course immaculate.

Second, can the male chicks be differentiated from the hens at 2+ weeks by behavior? I was absolutely not going to name the chicks until we knew which ones to keep but... there is this one.... It is 2x the size of all the other chicks though it hasn't gotten as many feathers as the others. It is very laid back and never seems to pick a fight. However if any of the others get into it this one steps in and stops the commotion. This chick watches everything with a keen eye and carries itself more up right. My husband has taken to calling it "The Judge".
What do you all think?

Stopping all the fights but never walking upright.. maybe Top Hen material there. Not as many feathers... well Orps can sure fool a person, can't they? I had a black I hatched a couple years ago that everyone swore had to be a boy because it was the last of the 5 to get any tail feathers. Today that hen is huge and beautiful.

 

[Christabelle]

My little chocolate pullet, I think she is the prettiest color!

 

[aveca]

Stopping all the fights but never walking upright.. maybe Top Hen material there. Not as many feathers... well Orps can sure fool a person, can't they? I had a black I hatched a couple years ago that everyone swore had to be a boy because it was the last of the 5 to get any tail feathers. Today that hen is huge and beautiful.

So true Sarah..Every year the blk orps fool me..Im convinced they are male or female and little latter on...suprise..These have a lower comb which makes it even harder...they show me much later on who is who..its sure simple with australorps within weeks I know..

 

[Kiniska]

Stopping all the fights but never walking upright.. maybe Top Hen material there. Not as many feathers... well Orps can sure fool a person, can't they? I had a black I hatched a couple years ago that everyone swore had to be a boy because it was the last of the 5 to get any tail feathers. Today that hen is huge and beautiful.

Oh no, this one walks very up right. Constantly craning that neck above everyone else. Not a tail feather to be seen on that hinney. Still, who knows, if it is a hen I will be thrilled as well.

Love them all, and have even started lining up homes for the roos that don't make the cut.

 

[deek]

This group has turned into fuddy duddies. I've waited all day for an April Fool's joke and nothing!

 

[deek]

My little chocolate pullet, I think she is the prettiest color!

She's adorable. They both are.