The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

And see that is where I would totally disagree with Dragonlady. I like the fluff. I have never had mine DQ' d for that.
Everyone is entitled to breed them for what they like them to look like. I do show but that is not the reason I wanted the Imported version of Orpingtons. I like their size , their width, their fluff and the look.
If you want them to look fluffless then I say go for it. Just not what I am going to do. Also in my humble opinion, why even bother with imported birds since you can get the ones with no fluff here already. I had great big Orpingtons that did not look like Australorps prior to what I have now. I have worked hard to get that fluff on them.
Not trying to start any type of arguments, just saying there are more than one opinion on this subject.
Not trying to say I am right. Just saying I have lots of people asking for chicks, eggs. and birds and I breed them for fluff. When I look at Orps i would like to have or cross into my flock I dont look to see if they are from any particular line. I look to see how they look on a consistant basis and their flock mates. Any whooo that is my opinion for what it is worth to anyone.
Julie,
I LOVE fluff ! That's why I have Orps ! I do not want fluff trailing on the ground though, as some of the current winning British Orps have. Those birds don't fit the British standard either. I prefer the European bred Orps who have still been bred to the standard, and can function in any conditions ranging, without becoming a muddy mess.Nothing cuter than an Orp hen with chicks peeking out from under her skirts, which are clear of the ground to keep her chicks warm and dry. Look at JOHNN's hens out ranging in England. Those girls raise their own babies, and their skirts are not all the way to the ground. If they were, in that mud, the chicks would die from being wet and cold.
 
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I guess I don't understand. Are you saying rock X orpington crossing are winning today and should be DQ or being fluffy should be DQ?
The APA SOP quite clearly states that over weight birds are a DQ. US judges ignore that. The US and English standards also call for being able to see some leg under an Orp. NO DQ for too much fluff. The judges in both countries are ignoring parts of the standards.Fads come and go, but practicality often wins out.
 
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So I got the shelf liner and panty hose. The shelf liner worked out good. The panty hose not so much.

I did a "test run" with eggs from the fridge to see how this was going to work.
After putting egg cartons with eggs in the baskets it seems like too much of a tight squeeze for the chicks to hatch on top of the eggs.

Am i doing something wrong? Or should i not use the cartons? Just trying tobfigure out whichbway im gonna go before lockdown on monday.

I might have to build a wire wall like Alton showed.

Heres a few pictures to show the setup





I don't think they used cartons when using the suet boxes, that is why they were using shelf liner on the bottom for traction. The strawberry boxes are taller and carton can be used in those, but you have to make sure you get the right size, as some are so tall they won't fit in the bator either. I am going to try to find Trisha's Pictures for you.
 
I don't think they used cartons when using the suet boxes, that is why they were using shelf liner on the bottom for traction. The strawberry boxes are taller and carton can be used in those, but you have to make sure you get the right size, as some are so tall they won't fit in the bator either. I am going to try to find Trisha's Pictures for you.
Found the area of the Nor. Cal thread where they discuss hatching in boxes. You may need to go back a couple of pages.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/25/california-northern/16150#post_10567915
 
Thanks Deann

I did find a picture of Trisha's showing the grape/strawberry boxes.
I really like both ideas so ill go get some grape boxes too.

You are a really big help.

Thank you again Deann.

Michael
 
The APA SOP quite clearly states that over weight birds are a DQ. US judges ignore that. The US and English standards also call for being able to see some leg under an Orp. NO DQ for too much fluff. The judges in both countries are ignoring parts of the standards.Fads come and go, but practicality often wins out.

Multiple APA judges who are Orp breeders have told me to "breed them as big as you can make em". This has been the attitude here in the USA since the 40's. When Doc Clevenger shown his "undefeated" 14+ lbs Buff Orp hen back in the 50's she never got DQ'd. Good luck trying to change the APA. I learned to breed my Orps to what these judges want and judge for. IF you want to have a consistent winning line of Orps you need more then just size. Broad backs, broad tails, broad heads and broad chests will get your birds on champions row. IF you had gone to Crossroads show you would have seen several 16 lbs Buff Orp cocks shown. Most all were over size. All were Orps.
 
I hope we don't go through all that again. It's already been established that judges are not DQ'ing birds for being overweight. We all have a copy of the SOP and can check out what it says. Someone is stating an opinion and preference lets just leave it at that ok? That horse died long time ago.
 
Buff...



How do these look to you Mrs. Vickie?

As far as i can see, and please correct me if im wrong. Their buff color looks pretty even, and their skirt fluff looks managed and not overly exaggerated?
And the Cock bird, his chest is more broad then in the Blue video?

Agan, one thing i like about these birds the most is their buttons.
 
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The APA SOP quite clearly states that over weight birds are a DQ. US judges ignore that. The US and English standards also call for being able to see some leg under an Orp. NO DQ for too much fluff. The judges in both countries are ignoring parts of the standards.Fads come and go, but practicality often wins out.
Oversized birds is not a fad. It has been going on for many years. Fads just come and go is correct. The judge has to judge what he has, I have seen good birds beat because of poor condition and I'm sure you have to.
 

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