The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[BerrytangleFarm]

I have two dead chocolate chicks!!!!!!!!!!!!!


They were JUST FINE last night!!!! This morning one is buried in straw, one looks like it's sleeping but is dead, and the other is peeping it's head off from loneliness!!!!!


WHO is against me getting this flock started?!!?!

 

[Orps]

So sorry to hear about the eggs and your chocolates chicks.

 

[rockinpaints]

I have two dead chocolate chicks!!!!!!!!!!!!!


They were JUST FINE last night!!!! This morning one is buried in straw, one looks like it's sleeping but is dead, and the other is peeping it's head off from loneliness!!!!!


WHO is against me getting this flock started?!!?!

OH NO!! I am so sorry for your loss

. That is so sad. I have found the new English imports to be more fragile, especially the Chocolates (and the Gold Laced). Good luck with your baby. (I would share but mine aren't laying yet

)

 

[BerrytangleFarm]

OH NO!! I am so sorry for your loss

. That is so sad. I have found the new English imports to be more fragile, especially the Chocolates (and the Gold Laced). Good luck with your baby. (I would share but mine aren't laying yet

)

Thanks.

I've heard of the fragility, but how does that manifest? I can see the one that looked like it was sleeping, but the one buried in the straw had an obviously broken neck.

Just trying to understand what could've happened. If they're going to be this kind of fragile, I'm just going to have to give up on this breed. I had one chick die in the brooder once, but it was sickly and needed help to hatch. This is the first time anything like this has happened.

Sigh.

 

[rockinpaints]

Thanks.

I've heard of the fragility, but how does that manifest? I can see the one that looked like it was sleeping, but the one buried in the straw had an obviously broken neck.

Just trying to understand what could've happened. If they're going to be this kind of fragile, I'm just going to have to give up on this breed. I had one chick die in the brooder once, but it was sickly and needed help to hatch. This is the first time anything like this has happened.

Sigh.

Oh, don't give up!

I am not sure why they are so fragile, maybe in part to inbreeding as we do not have a lot of options for breeding when they are first imported, or maybe because they have not been here long enough to build good immunities to our bacteria/viruses (something I spoke with our vet about). Even our Mareks disease - and the vaccine is a little different.

Hang in there!!

 

[Reyvaughn]

A lot going on over the last day!

I agree with RockinPaints on the USPS and shipping. They are paid to do a job/provide a service. They should be a bit more considerate while doing their jobs. So far, I have not had any smashed boxes, but I have had ones that looked mishandled. The worst was one that wasn't labeled with anything! It didn't say fragile, live embryos, hatching eggs, nothing.

Considering what we as a community pay for our eggs and birds, especially the English birds in particular, seeing our packages mishandled is not reassuring in the least. I am trying to secure a decent flock of birds in a few breeds and I don't have the money to waste on repurchasing eggs/chicks. Yes, I take a chance on hatching eggs, I know the risk and I don't get upset if I only have a 30% hatch rate on decently packed eggs that weren't overly mishandled buy the USPS.

I must say, I have an amazing mailman. He sets them someplace safe in his SUV and hand delivers them or finds a shady spot to put them. He even asks how the hatches go.


I'm sorry about your Chocolates, Judges. Other than this crop impaction, mine have been very healthy. You wouldn't think such robust bantams would be fragile...


Now...
I said I was getting 75% English Orp pullets today. I was going to get two blacks and one blue. I ended up with an extra blue. Darn chicken math.


I put them in their temporary quarantine cage for now. I am going to Atlantic City tomorrow, so they will get their first outdoor adventure on Sunday, then I'll get better pics.

 

[pampered_poultry]

I suspect it is inbreeding a little and environment change a little.... I did have an issue way back. But now I have 4 lines of Bantam Chocs... aside from the 2 lines of LF Chocs - that we will release in the Fall.

We lose very little bantam chocs now.

Thanks,
Richard

Oh, don't give up!

I am not sure why they are so fragile, maybe in part to inbreeding as we do not have a lot of options for breeding when they are first imported, or maybe because they have not been here long enough to build good immunities to our bacteria/viruses (something I spoke with our vet about). Even our Mareks disease - and the vaccine is a little different.

Hang in there!!

 

[rockinpaints]

I suspect it is inbreeding a little and environment change a little.... I did have an issue way back. But now I have 4 lines of Bantam Chocs... aside from the 2 lines of LF Chocs - that we will release in the Fall.

We lose very little bantam chocs now.

Thanks,
Richard

Hi Richard! Got my eggs from England all settled nicely in the incubator, after a CRAZY trip to Chicago and a $500 fee to USDA vet for after hours check in.......Absolutely insane (I'm sure Sandy told you about it).
Within business hours $40, after business hours (even one hour) over 10 TIMES the amount!! USDA vet said sorry but prices were set by congress...really.....???

OK enough whining......The eggs are doing great, candled yesterday and am thrilled. Will keep you posted. Stay cool.............

 

[pampered_poultry]

Yep APHIS is crazy on their stuff.... I think I mentioned that in an email when we first discussed it. That is why bringing in and doing cold storage and dealing with my Atlanta connections is so nice!

Hi Richard! Got my eggs from England all settled nicely in the incubator, after a CRAZY trip to Chicago and a $500 fee to USDA vet for after hours check in.......Absolutely insane (I'm sure Sandy told you about it).
Within business hours $40, after business hours (even one hour) over 10 TIMES the amount!! USDA vet said sorry but prices were set by congress...really.....???

OK enough whining......The eggs are doing great, candled yesterday and am thrilled. Will keep you posted. Stay cool.............

 

[rockinpaints]

Yep APHIS is crazy on there stuff.... I think I mentioned that in an email when we first discussed it. That is why bringing in and doing cold storage and dealing with my Atlanta connections is so nice!

So I've heard........