The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[Faraday40]

You can tell he's from Mr. Dummys bloodline. He a mirror image of Blackbeard. Same tail, same shape, and more than likely, same size. Mr. Dummy was a ginormous bird and so are his babies and grandbabies, but unfortunately they carry more of an American shape.

But how could I not love this:

Such a handsome and sweet rooster!

This was his 2nd winter and "Trouble" was a new pullet. "Trouble" would go out to play in the snow, and even though he could never mate her, he was the protector of ALL the hens. The other hens stayed warm inside, but poor Dummy had to stand guard in the snow while Trouble hung out in the trees. He didn't like walking through the snow, so he'd fly up onto the roof of the run or the swingset. There he'd wait in the cold wind until Trouble decided to go back into the coop.

Mr Dummy had a great body frame, but yes his tail was longish. (He was only 50% imported English orp: His parents were a black orp = English bloodlines & a lav orp from JC Hink line) By breeding more English orps to Dummy's offspring, I hope to keep the nice comb, feather color, & temperament while increasing the bowling ball shape. This year's rooster (who is now in the freezer) was the 1st one I actually didn't like. His appearance was just "off." The kids think I'm too fussy, but I'm glad to have a "Nice" one who may grow up to have some breeding potential. (I also have a baby cockerel from Smudge & 3 unknown gender lavs.) That makes 5 great-great-grandchildren of Mr Dummy.

 

[flgardengirl]

He's beautiful!

 

[ColtHandorf]

He sounds like a good boy.

 

[Faraday40]

He sounds like a good boy.

He was my fav rooster ever! (The only thing I did not like was his name ..... "Mr Dummy-pants." That's what I get for allowing my kids to name him. )

He stayed around long after his breeding days were over. He was the main flock leader but after age 5 he allowed the younger roos to do most of the mating after he developed a limp. He only beat up a cockerel if the boy made a hen squawk. He passed away last summer.

This was Dummy in March last year.

 

[ColtHandorf]

He was a big boy! I hope my Suede gets that large.

 

[Faraday40]

Remember my awkward-looking GLO pullet?

Here she is now:

About 6 mo old, but I don't think she's laying yet. B/C of winter light, she probably won't start until 2020.

The lacing on her chest is more spangled than laced, but overall she looks good. I'm now thinking about keeping her. The bigger problem is that she still thinks she's a serama. She insists on being inside the useless chicken tractor with them. If I do not let her in, she sits out in the open as hawk bait next to her bantam family.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Aww, poor confused baby. She is very pretty. I don't think my big SLO or the Black pullet are laying yet. Both of the big girls are molting but I am getting one egg about every other day, not in the nest box. The egg has been very consistent in size, so I don't think it's one of the young girls.

 

[Faraday40]

Here's a color question.

I'm trying to decide who to keep.

This 1st laced girl is came from my blue orp's daughter x my SLO roo. Obviously a laced female.... but does she have blue or black lacing? I have had some pretty dark blues that looked black at hatch but lightened to blue as their feathers grew in.

If she's a blue SLO I'd like to keep her. If black, then I have ones with nicer shiny lacing.

I always thought she had black lacing but now when I look at her butt fluff, I'm beginning to wonder...

Here's a med blue pullet : (aka my bowling ball)

Here are a few of them together. (Yes they are related)

and here's "Peek" a very sweet SLO with black lacing

So my question:

What color is the 1st laced pullet?

 

[Faraday40]

Here are some more pics of "Mr Nice Guy." He turns 5 months old tomorrow.

Mr Wonderful joined the molting club today. He dropped his last tail feathers last night.

What a sorry-looking bunch of orps!

 

[Faraday40]

These are my last laced orp chicks. 3 wks old today
Although it's too early, I like to make predictions

These 4 chicks are with Crystal
Chick 1 (lightest color & biggest body size) Possible male due to size

Chick 2 (2nd lightest in color) Has almost no comb, so possible female

Chick 3 (smallish, no comb growth, most feather growth) probable female

Chick 4 (stumpy wings, least feather growth, and some comb growth) Probable male

PR adopted the 2 white chicks. She doesn't like share, so getting pics is more difficult.
One has nice long white wing feathers all the way to her tail. The other has almost no wing feathers. The stumpy wings feathers look like they have some lacing.