The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[piglett]

maybe the guy doesn't know jack about birds

or maybe you have another breed

like say Bresse, they do come in black

 

[Spoiled Birds]

Everyone correct me if I am incorrect but I don't recall Greenfire having Blue, Black, Splash Orpingtons for sale.

before my RIPOFF this week, I had actually looked at Greenfire Farms website.
below is from the website...

"Greenfire Farms has imported a number of Orpington varieties including jubilee, gold laced, red, and partridge. Most recently we imported silver laced and crele. While they are all beautiful birds, limited space and a desire for superior breeding results have forced us to choose between the many varieties. Beginning in 2014 we’re focusing on one variety only:jubilee Orpingtons. Jubilee Orpingtons stand at the pinnacle of the breed, and Greenfire Farms was the first to import these birds into America from British stock in about a century."

So I WAS right in remembering. I said I didn't believe him when he said that.
His name is Steven Thompson,and he's really into the animal swaps we have in the Tractor Supply parking lots in my neck of the woods. (Pulaski, Galax, Hillsville, Boones Mill, Roanoke, and others ((Virginia))

Anyway
y'all don't think "Grouchy" is an Orpington?

What about BooBoo? (she was supposed to be a BJG, but the bottoms of her feet are the wrong color)




Here's my Splash babies I got at a swap...
(with my Jelouse Buffs)
Casper (get'n BIG) Twinkie and Ghost

I also got these 2 boys at the same swap from another lady...

Chester Chester, Ghost & Casper
She said he's laced?

Festus (buff/blue mix, has a nice blue tail) Dusky, Festus & BooBoo

None of Chesters eggs were fertil 11-16-14.
That's what got me in my current mess, trying to get a Blue Orp Roo and Pullet.
We want to sell Blue, Splash, Buff and hopefully Black Orp pullets in the spring.
Let me guess... Chester ain't an Orp either?

 

[Spoiled Birds]

thank you guys by the way!

 

[piglett]

before my RIPOFF this week, I had actually looked at Greenfire Farms website.
below is from the website...

"Greenfire Farms has imported a number of Orpington varieties including jubilee, gold laced, red, and partridge. Most recently we imported silver laced and crele. While they are all beautiful birds, limited space and a desire for superior breeding results have forced us to choose between the many varieties. Beginning in 2014 we’re focusing on one variety only:jubilee Orpingtons. Jubilee Orpingtons stand at the pinnacle of the breed, and Greenfire Farms was the first to import these birds into America from British stock in about a century."

So I WAS right in remembering. I said I didn't believe him when he said that.
His name is Steven Thompson,and he's really into the animal swaps we have in the Tractor Supply parking lots in my neck of the woods. (Pulaski, Galax, Hillsville, Boones Mill, Roanoke, and others ((Virginia))

Anyway
y'all don't think "Grouchy" is an Orpington?

What about BooBoo? (she was supposed to be a BJG, but the bottoms of her feet are the wrong color)




Here's my Splash babies I got at a swap...
(with my Jelouse Buffs)
Casper (get'n BIG) Twinkie and Ghost

I also got these 2 boys at the same swap from another lady...

Chester Chester, Ghost & Casper
She said he's laced?

Festus (buff/blue mix, has a nice blue tail) Dusky, Festus & BooBoo

None of Chesters eggs were fertil 11-16-14.
That's what got me in my current mess, trying to get a Blue Orp Roo and Pullet.
We want to sell Blue, Splash, Buff and hopefully Black Orp pullets in the spring.
Let me guess... Chester ain't an Orp either?

Chester looks to be some sort of mix

could be all orp but from different colored parents

like maybe blue & buff ???

 

[rockinpaints]

First HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone!
I would just like to chime in with my input

, I would always be just a little leery when buying at a swap meet ( for health reasons as well). If it matters to you and you want to start with quality pure bred birds I would start with buying from a reputable breeder. With the new imports and project Orps unforeseen genetic issues are bound to crop up from time to time but with a reputable breeder they are more likely to work with you.

A majority of the time when you cross 2 different breeds/varieties the first generation will look like one or the other and will be sold as such. But future generations will be a disaster. Improper record keeping can ruin an entire flock, even with projects it takes at least 4 generations to get back to pure (sometimes 7 or more generations).

The only other input I would like to add is when someone says "mine are Greenfire birds" or "Marc Sacre's original imported line". Unless you purchase from a specific breeder you can never be absolutely sure where the birds came from. I see it all the time. When I question a bird being sold as one of mine and I am sure it is not, this is the answer I get most of the time
"I bought them from George in AL who got them from Sam's cousin in FL who said they got them form a gal up north who purchased them directly from you several years ago".
It may sound a little sarcastic but it happens all the time. Just let people know where the birds actually came from so they can make an informed decision on their purchase. Once crossed into your own flock they become your own line. So take name dropping with a grain of salt. At the very least ask to see lots of pictures of the parents (not just the rooster or in some cases you'll see just the hen if one is better than the other). Also ask how long they've been breeding the specific birds you are interested in. And most important, do the research and know what they are supposed to look like.

An example I have seen is taking a beautiful show quality Buff Orpington rooster and crossing it into a flock of yellow legged "buff orp" hens and expecting to produce show quality chicks. It's just not going to happen.
Again, if you are purchasing chickens for egg layers or yard candy then all these points may not matter, but if you are thinking about breeding quality chicks you would need to start with quality birds.

I hope at least some of this helps and by all means have fun!

 

[jeremy]

@rockinpaints

 

[piglett]

First HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone!
I would just like to chime in with my input

, I would always be just a little leery when buying at a swap meet ( for health reasons as well). If it matters to you and you want to start with quality pure bred birds I would start with buying from a reputable breeder. With the new imports and project Orps unforeseen genetic issues are bound to crop up from time to time but with a reputable breeder they are more likely to work with you.

A majority of the time when you cross 2 different breeds/varieties the first generation will look like one or the other and will be sold as such. But future generations will be a disaster. Improper record keeping can ruin an entire flock, even with projects it takes at least 4 generations to get back to pure (sometimes 7 or more generations).

The only other input I would like to add is when someone says "mine are Greenfire birds" or "Marc Sacre's original imported line". Unless you purchase from a specific breeder you can never be absolutely sure where the birds came from. I see it all the time. When I question a bird being sold as one of mine and I am sure it is not, this is the answer I get most of the time
"I bought them from George in AL who got them from Sam's cousin in FL who said they got them form a gal up north who purchased them directly from you several years ago".
It may sound a little sarcastic but it happens all the time. Just let people know where the birds actually came from so they can make an informed decision on their purchase. Once crossed into your own flock they become your own line. So take name dropping with a grain of salt. At the very least ask to see lots of pictures of the parents (not just the rooster or in some cases you'll see just the hen if one is better than the other). Also ask how long they've been breeding the specific birds you are interested in. And most important, do the research and know what they are supposed to look like.

An example I have seen is taking a beautiful show quality Buff Orpington rooster and crossing it into a flock of yellow legged "buff orp" hens and expecting to produce show quality chicks. It's just not going to happen.
Again, if you are purchasing chickens for egg layers or yard candy then all these points may not matter, but if you are thinking about breeding quality chicks you would need to start with quality birds.

I hope at least some of this helps and by all means have fun!

You make some very good points RP

I have had good luck getting birds from the local chicken swap

but i don't go there thinking that i will be getting top of the line

show quality birds

I have sold off some of my extra BBS cockerels at the same swap

but at no point did i say "show quality"

how could I ? I don't go to shows

 

[rockinpaints]

You make some very good points RP

I have had good luck getting birds from the local chicken swap

but i don't go there thinking that i will be getting top of the line

show quality birds

I have sold off some of my extra BBS cockerels at the same swap

but at no point did i say "show quality"

how could I ? I don't go to shows

Hi piglett, Swaps are not all bad, I know someone who has some top quality birds and takes his extra eggs and birds to a near by swap in Oklahoma as he doesn't do a lot of shipping. But I just think you gota be a little careful at swaps. I know you are a good seller but a lot of people are not that conscientious and truthful about what they are selling as you are. I think it helps to know the standards and what to look for, and hopefully know someone at the swap who could show you in the right direction.

 

[Areolyn]

Ah, such pretty birds! English orpingtons always seem more fluffy to me, but that may be just my brain being tricky lol. I have a few questions though, maybe someone can answer them?
Are english orps. smaller on average than american ones? And are they really fluffy like my eyes tell me?

 

[jeremy]

Are english orps. smaller on average than american ones? And are they really fluffy like my eyes tell me?

Pure English birds are typically larger than their American bred counterparts, & they are much more profusely (fluffy) feathered. This is a trait which many love about the English standard birds. Your eyes aren't deceiving you...