The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[justuschickens59]

I just got back from meeting with Beth and delivering her chicks. She is such a lovely person...absolutely the genuine thing - which is so, so hard to find. I just wish we could have had lunch or something. We had planned on going into Wendy's and having a Frosty, but it was 98 degrees, the sun beating down, and absolutely no shade anywhere and we didn't want to leave the chicks out in the heat. I had a little chick of Beth's, the last one I hatched, who I was giving special attention to (I had to help him out of the shell) and I became very attached to him. It was hard to give up my spoled baby, but I know that Beth will be an excellent chick mama. And...Beth knows that I am an avid reader and she brought me some books - all tied up in a pretty gold bow !!!

Beth - it was truly my pleasure to meet you. Keep me posted on my grandchicks, please.

 

[Jared77]

Has anybody had issues with fertility? Ive heard rumors wit Wyandottes that fertility issues are typically based on heavy feathering on the rump preventing the males from inseminating the hens. Is this true in the Orps as well?

 

[justuschickens59]

Quote:
When Winston started doing "his thing," Clementine hadn't started laying yet. My other hens that were with Winston were all fertile - no problems. In order for Clementine to become fertile, I had to trim both her and Winston. Since I trimmed them, fertility with Clementine's eggs have been 100%. I know that it is 100% because I hatch every egg she lays and they have all been fertile.

 

[jeremy]

Beth- where are those pictures?!!?

 

[joletabey]

Whew! We are all exhausted- I stopped about every half hour to make sure they were all right and to see if they wanted water, and if the little one was OK- so I just got home and put them in the brooder. I dipped the two smaller ones' beaks in the water - five huddled in the corner staring around, and baby promptly fell over and went to sleep- Joy, he really was looking for you all the way home. I think there was maybe a total of 5 minutes of silence- no wonder he wants to sleep! He didn't like MY shoulder, he didn't like MY lap, he didn't like riding in the box with the others, he didn't like being alone. He was asking for Joy the whole ride.
Ya spoiled him, girlfriend! Which is fine with me, because I absolutely love him, and am really hoping he will continue to make it- he is the tiniest thing I have ever seen!

OK, THAT report done -on to the next - Joy is a sweet heart, an absolute sweetheart! I drove up and she waved me down and promptly told me not to hug her too hard because there was a chick on her shoulder! I love it! You can tell she is a good mama, those chicks aren't afraid of me (Baby isn't afraid of me, he just wants Joy and hasn't figured things out yet)and they are so perky and healthy looking- chunkers!! She gave me some Kaytee starter for the baby, which I will give him as soon as he wakes up. So, I am sure all your life people have punned on your name, but it was an absolute JOY to meet you, Joy, and I, too, wish we would have had more time to talk. I love books, too, and I think we could have had one great LONG exchange of authors and titles. And don't worry, I will be right here, keeping you updated as these darlings grow and progress!

OK, pics later tonight if DH remembers to bring the camera home with him!!!

 

[kathyinmo]

YAY!!! Congratulations Beth! So glad you have your chicks! Are the 2 of you far away from each other? How long was the drive? Glad to hear they are all doing well.

How many in the bator now, Joy? How exciting, hatching all the time! One of my favorite past times!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

What a great way to end the evening with a great story like that. Beth I am thrilled for you and I can just picture Joy with the chick on her shoulder and you fussing all the way home like a good mama.

Joy, it has got to make you feel wonderful knowing how much your babies are loved and wanted.

Kathy how are yours doing? Did I miss the pics?

I love the pictures Jeremy put up and Katy too. Who else did I miss? I am tired and going to rest my head. Each day that goes by is one day closer to my chicks coming.

 

[joletabey]

Good morning, everyone! All the babies made it through the night-Joy, Baby is amazing me. Last night I saw him push the biggest chick away from the feeder and stick his head in there - so I am hoping this is a good sign and he will make it. We had a snuggle this morning, and he was happier about it.
I wish I didn't have to go to work, and I could stay home and play all day with them- BUT. . . . .
Pics tonight- I am running behind cuz I spent too much time hanging over the brooder this morning!
Any prayers, thoughts or blessings for this little one would be appreciated- he is too tiny to be believed, and I really would love to see him make it!

Are Kassandra and Germaine's chicks going to hatch together?

 

[justuschickens59]

Beth - I'm so glad that the little one is doing okay. I think he'll be fine...I think he's just going to take a bit to catch up with everybody else, but I think he's going to make it !! He's eating, drinking, and pooping....and there isn't anything wrong with his lungs !!! I hope he has settled down some. I wish I had remembered to bring you his goat. I could put it in the mail???? Thanks for the lovely words...I really appreciate it. I was a bit annoyed with myself because I forgot to take the camera !!!!

Jeremy - How are your babies doing so far??? Hope they are all well.

Kathy - Beth and I live about 4 hours apart...not too far, but not close enough, ya know? I have no idea how many eggs I have in the bator right now !! LOL. I need to get in there and do inventory on them. I did put 19 in the hatcher this morning - those are for Ann and a lady in Illinois (not on BYC). Then Katy's are next. Then yours and Germaine's. Then for a vet in Indiana somewhere. Boggles my brain to try and think about it. Thank goodness for spreadsheets !! LOL. I'm trying to fit Kassandra's in where I have extra eggs.

Germaine - It is a wonderful feeling to know how these chicks are being appreciated. When we got these guys, we had no idea they would be so "popular" for lack of a better word.

Beth - Keep me posted on the little one, okay?

 

[kathyinmo]

It took me awhile, but I think I figured it out ..... his goat? Ummm, is it a little stuffed animal?

Joy, these really are just beautiful birds. I think you could hatch and sell every single egg produced. Maybe you should get some leghorns so you can have eating eggs.