The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[Faraday40]

I'll have to get a pic of my newest addition. (If he stays.) I made a mistake in sexing, so a former pullet came back as a rooster. LOL Not a big deal to exchange and I was actually thinking of keeping a blue rooster. I'm hoping I can find a way to make him work out.

The reason why he may not last is his attitude. I know he was a big deal back home as an only rooster, but here he must play nice with the others. First thing he did was challenge my mature lav orp. Not a very smart cockerel! He actually made my lav rooster bleed - mostly by the surprise attack. I broke them up and the blue spent a couple days in a dog crate. I let him out this morning for a bit of exercise & he immediately started a fight with a laced hen. She was not about to back down & my lav roo came running to her rescue. I broke them up and distracted all chickens with treats. For a few min all was fine. Then the new blue cockerel walked over to Trouble - my Sebright. She has attacked 15 lb roosters and can put turkeys in their place. She is force of nature if any bird dares cross her. I didn't want him to get beat up, so I had to put him back inside the garage.

I have a lav and a laced rooster. I also have a little serama cockerel who likes living in the big coop with the orps. The 3 get along perfectly, so I'm not sure about changing pecking order. Each night I must feel under all the hens to locate the serama. He's warm & toasty under all that fluff. When I move him into the garage for the night, he snuggles under his buddy, the lav orp.

 

[Faraday40]

I took some pics of the blue boy today. I'm still not sure of his fate, but he is no longer as troublesome. How do you think he looks? (He's 5 months) He looks thin/lanky to me, but sometimes they fill out.

Not all orps are as gorgeous as my laced boy. (He's only 1-2 months older but has always looked good.)

 

[Faraday40]

My boy's favorite pullet (below). She's from this year's blue SLOs.
I already had a Blizzard and her daughter Snow is with @homeschoolin momma. Crystal also moved in. This girl is the daughter "Stormy" so I want to keep with that theme. Maybe Gale or Cloud

My serama still likes the big girls. Today will be his last day in the big coop because the temps are going to get cold tomorrow. I'm going to have to bring him in where it's warmer, so I let him have a little extra time to say good bye to girlfriends. He likes to spend his time snuggling with the big fluffy girls

 

[Faraday40]

Blue Boy is getting a little better. He's no "Suede" but might have some potential.

I finally have another chicken that doesn't mind the snow (as much). My blue boy came out to explore while I was cleaning & shoveling today.

I shoveled a few paths for the chickens.

My kids are too big to sit on the horse, but it's still a favorite spot for the chickens.
I have a pic of our all-time favorite rooster doing the same thing.

 

[Finnie]

How do you think he looks? (He's 5 months) He looks thin/lanky to me, but sometimes they fill out.

I agree he looks like he needs to fill out. I have no idea how much that’s possible. I don’t think he can hold a candle to your beautiful silver laced boy, though.

In your second photo shoot of him, he does look bigger. Could be because of the cold, and he may be fluffing his feathers for better insulation.

I would say, if he’s not causing trouble and you have room for him, growing him out longer would be worth it.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I think Little Boy Blue has some growing up to do. I don't think he'll be as large and as full as some of the other males you have had, but I think he'll be nice looking by mid-spring to summer.

 

[Faraday40]

Got my 1st orp egg yesterday!
(They have been free-loading since fall)

Normally, they start back up in mid February but the crazy weather & temp swings are confusing most of the wildlife and even some trees. I also have a broody hen.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Got my 1st orp egg yesterday!
(They have been free-loading since fall)

Normally, they start back up in mid February but the crazy weather & temp swings are confusing most of the wildlife and even some trees. I also have a broody hen.

My pullets are starting up I think and some of the hens that have taken months off are too. I'm finding eggs in weird places. Looks like most of them are finishing up their molts and starting back up at my place.

 

[ColtHandorf]

How's everyone and their birds doing?

 

[Faraday40]

Colt:
Your animations are great!