The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[ColtHandorf]

She's just a friend that keeps random chickens from TSC. Nothing specific. I believe these chicks are a White Polish over a White Easter Egger. She thought the fluffy cheeks and the top knot would make cute chicks. When I see her next I'll show her how to store them properly. I kind of want to candle them now to see what they look like, but with green shells I don't think I'll be able to make anything out.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Eeep! So I just happened to check Craigslist (and totally missed out on the two splash, one black, and one blue English Orpington hen) but I saw Victoria's breeder selling her last Silver-laced. So I'm getting her mom, a much younger brother, and a Recessive White hen for $25 each this Sunday. I don't need the extra rooster, but I figure I can put him somewhere he can't cause any mischief for the time being.

 

[flgardengirl]

Wow look at you guys already setting eggs! Its been in the mid 80's F in FL and I havent set anything lol. I do have some random hens trying to go broody..not happening.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Its been in the mid 80's F in FL

That must be nice. It's been anywhere from 30 to about 60 degrees the last few weeks. We are still under river flood watches due to the amount of rain we've been getting.

I do have some random hens trying to go broody.

The rain is why I don't mind mine not going broody. Of course I wish they'd go now while it's still too cold for snakes. I had the worst time with them last year. But with so much water and mud I think I'd lose the chicks too.

Suede was looking better yesterday after work. I brought him out of the hen house and looked him over in the better light; one eye open, one eye still closed. I do think I'm going to give him a nice warm bath when I get home today. He seemed stiff and you could tell his feathers were bothering him. I think he might enjoy being warm and gently blow dried.

I am pretty excited about getting the two new hens this weekend. I'm going to do my best to get as much work done on the barn as I can on Saturday. I might not finish all three stalls, but if all else fails I can get one done and move the geese over as they won't need to roost. I don't imagine the yard will have dried out enough for me to wheel barrow the wood chips that are left over into the barn or topping off the pen they are currently using. But maybe I can get enough moved to make a difference.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Here are the pictures of the two hens and the cockerel. The pair are the parents to my Victoria and she’s planning on keeping the older male for her flock rooster.

 

[Faraday40]

Breakfast:
Fertile or not fertile? Let me know what you think.

1st egg is Jewel's egg. If you stare, you can see the separated ring.
The next 4 are from diff orp pullets. (One pic for each egg, so 5 eggs total)

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Jewel yes
#2 yes
#3&4 unsure, maybe
#5 yes

 

[Faraday40]

@homeschoolin momma
It's nice to know I'm not seeing things. The pullet eggs have very faint & "foggy" egg spots. If I look at it long enough they look fertile. I'm trying to make sure it's not just my own wishful thinking.

My seramas on the other hand don't seem to have any fertility problems. BTW- Let me know if you want any useless eggs for Phoe. Most are broody but the few that are laying are going strong.

Speaking of broody.....

I love it when the babies play piggy back

 

[homeschoolin momma]

@Faraday40 will let you know how Phoenix hatch turns out. I had 4 under her but removed one that was definitely clear. Put 4 more in the inky today as backup as the 4 in there dont look great either. Looks like Pippin is getting the broody bug as she laid one and stole one of Phoe's yesterday. Shes spending more and more time laying next to Phoe. If I dont get any to successfully hatch, I may need a filler chick.

 

[Faraday40]

Here's Mr Potential today. He wears a crow collar so that's why his hackle is messy.