The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[BrahmaCrazy]

Hello! I would really like to start with orpingtons. But I am truly struggling to keep them healthy in my area. My other breeds are all doing fine. Also i have bought a pair of lavender orpingtons. But why do they look so much different from your birds on this site? Mine seems to have too much fluffy feathers in comparison?

 

[BrahmaCrazy]

 

[OnlyOrps]

Hello! I would really like to start with orpingtons. But I am truly struggling to keep them healthy in my area. My other breeds are all doing fine. Also i have bought a pair of lavender orpingtons. But why do they look so much different from your birds on this site? Mine seems to have too much fluffy feathers in comparison?

These are nice birds. They are more of the English type, fluffy and round. I find this type more desirable than the American lavenders. You should be very happy with them! I'm jealous

 

[BrahmaCrazy]

Thank you! I love them,but I am experiencing the orpingtons as a challenging breed. Can someone please advice me on how to keep them healthy

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Thank you! I love them,but I am experiencing the orpingtons as a challenging breed. Can someone please advice me on how to keep them healthy

What kind of problems are you experiencing?

 

[BrahmaCrazy]

Birds usually get sick. I am following a vaccination schedule and the are getting a good diet. My main problem is with the stock available in south africa. We dont have a big variety of breeders or birds to pick from. The main problem here is that breeders dont cull sick birds. The reason for this is that we dont have the numbers to do so. If you have a rare breed and there are no other or very few breeders it is common practice to medicate amd continue. Problem is you then get birds that after transport stress get sick within a day or two after purchase and you battle with illnesses. Like i said we dont have choices when it comes to breeders. So i mainly purchase birds. And then i try to vaccinate babies and keep them seperate. Please advice

 

[kittydoc]

Hello! I would really like to start with orpingtons. But I am truly struggling to keep them healthy in my area. My other breeds are all doing fine. Also i have bought a pair of lavender orpingtons. But why do they look so much different from your birds on this site? Mine seems to have too much fluffy feathers in comparison?

How old are they? They look like English lavs, possibly. American lavs have much closer lying feathers than bigger and fluffier English ones.

What health problems are you having with your Orps? They are not normally a troublesome breed. I'd like to help. Pm me if that's more comfortable for you. I'm a veterinarian.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Birds usually get sick. I am following a vaccination schedule and the are getting a good diet. My main problem is with the stock available in south africa. We dont have a big variety of breeders or birds to pick from. The main problem here is that breeders dont cull sick birds. The reason for this is that we dont have the numbers to do so. If you have a rare breed and there are no other or very few breeders it is common practice to medicate amd continue. Problem is you then get birds that after transport stress get sick within a day or two after purchase and you battle with illnesses. Like i said we dont have choices when it comes to breeders. So i mainly purchase birds. And then i try to vaccinate babies and keep them seperate. Please advice

I don't know that there's any real advice to give for this situation. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place. All you can do is carry on, breed yourself, and cull selectively as best you can.

 

[kittydoc]

Hi trimmers....thanks for your help. So I think I need to trim. Can you tell me how much? Is it just the fluff and how far down? Getting personal here

I go out about 3" all the way around the vent, and leave about 3/4 to 1 inch or so of feathers in that zone. You don't want the stubble to feel too spikey though. You can leave it a bit longer if needed to keep it comfortable for both birds. Retrim if you start to get more clears again and after molts.

 

[BrahmaCrazy]

I waited for 8 months on a waiting list to getnthese birds and paid good momey for them. I kept them seperate. And they are ill. I dont know what to do. Im trying vey hard with all my breeds to vaccinate and keep only healthy birds. But what van i do if iys the only stock i get?