The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[kathyinmo]

So how well do they lay? I have seen that they don't lay very well than I have seen they are good layers?

Mine are not the best layers. Fair, I would say, but certainly not the best.

 

[jeremy]

When mine are laying, they lay well. I usually get 4-6 eggs a day from my 6 hens.

They take quite a winter break though when they're molting, my production stops altogether.

I did get my first egg of the year from one of my girls yesterday though!!!

These Orpingtons aren't bred to crank out eggs like a hatchery bird, everyone needs to keep that in mind. They grow slowly and being laying later in life. I have a feeling though that my girls will continue to give me eggs well into old age.

 

[Judy]

Some posts have been edited or removed. From the rules:


Quote: Let's not post anything that is even suggestive of doing something illegal, OK?

 

[aveca]

Thanks pips and peeps, I kind of figured that might the reason.

I suggested that npip offer vaccines to those wishing to have them at inspections. Or through vets. It would be money well spent as if there were a sudden outbreak you have a certificate to post on your property, they cannot destroy vaccinated flocks..my vet said it isn't necessary at this time. But I told her it would be safer to be ahead of it. By the time it broke out in china it was already too late.they had to destroy millions of birds.

 

[pips&peeps]

It was suggested that the birds were infected at the quarantine facility, but I find that a bit unrealistic. From what I have read, the exporter had already developed a bit of a "shady" reputation before this happened.

If I remember correctly there was a big turkey farm in Missouri last year that had a total depopulation because of one of the AI viruses was detected. I think my Dept of Ag sent me the info about it.

 

[Braclin]

Good thing you CAN'T believe everything you read

 

[orpington man]

I believe the reason it was suggested infection happened whilst the birds were in quarantine was because when asked why it had taken 3 weeks to diagnose AI when the incubation period for this disease is about 4 days? and nobody came back with a satisfactory answer, all required tests were done before shipping and all came back clear, if all the poultry in America was tested for this very mild strain that was found, I wonder what percentage would show 100% clear?
This is a sore subject for me and I doubt the whole truth will ever come to light but be assured no birds of mine will meet that fate again
Bob

 

[orpington man]

Jeremy that blue laced is my all time favourite, he is a gentle giant and at six years old still doing well, he will get the best of the girls this year!

 

[DaveK]

Thanks pips and peeps, I kind of figured that might the reason. I suggested that npip offer vaccines to those wishing to have them at inspections. Or through vets. It would be money well spent as if there were a sudden outbreak you have a certificate to post on your property, they cannot destroy vaccinated flocks..my vet said it isn't necessary at this time. But I told her it would be safer to be ahead of it. By the time it broke out in china it was already too late.they had to destroy millions of birds.

Testing for exposure to certain AI strains shouldn't be considered reason to depopulate. Not just that one simple fact by itself. It only means that there has been exposure and that the bird's immune systems have been triggered. It does not mean that the birds are sick or infected. It would be the same as destroying our dogs and cats, horses, sheep and anything else that gets vaccinated and then blood titer tests show past exposure and a triggered immune system response. Have to agree with Mr. Follows in that I would not again risk my birds and the work behind them by sending them into the land of Hoo Doo and Ignorance. And speaking of Mr. Follows; LOVE those red cuckoo. What an attractive pattern on birds five ax handles wide from stem to stern.

 

[pips&peeps]

The reason the birds were destroyed is because the birds are carriers of the disease for life, just like ILT.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/live_poultry.shtml

Quote:

Also the importation rules state the birds shouldn't be vaccinated for any of the H5 or H7 avian influenza viruses to obtain permission for importation.


http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/live_poultry.shtml

Quote:

Birds or poultry were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza.

It is a shame this happened to the birds. I was under the impression that the birds were obtained from Minh To, not you Bob.