The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[Outdoorlover]

I have some that are naturally curious and very friendly from an early age and the little boys will usually peck, puff their chests out and show rooster behavior.. do you wear rings? I know the babies in my youngest brooder (I have 3-4 for different ages), but the ones 2 weeks and under love seeing my hands and they make a game of seeing who can peck the shiny ring the fastest..hopefully, that's all it is ♡♡

Yes I have a ring and it is obvious that all 5 chicks love to peck at it! I really don't know what a rooster behavior is like, I've always been afraid and kept my distance from all chickens
My 5 chicks behave pretty much all the same way...all 5 peck at one another and everything around them, including me, but I haven't seen the puffing up the chest, they could be still too young for that?
I don't know what to look for, that would suggest I have a male

 

[EastNashChick]

Yes I have a ring and it is obvious that all 5 chicks love to peck at it!    I really don't know what a rooster behavior is like, I've always been afraid and kept my distance from all chickens
My 5 chicks behave pretty much all  the same way...all 5 peck at one another and everything around them, including me, but I haven't seen the puffing up the chest, they could be still too young for that?
I don't know what to look for, that would suggest I have a male

What color are they and how old?

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

Yes I have a ring and it is obvious that all 5 chicks love to peck at it!    I really don't know what a rooster behavior is like, I've always been afraid and kept my distance from all chickens
My 5 chicks behave pretty much all  the same way...all 5 peck at one another and everything around them, including me, but I haven't seen the puffing up the chest, they could be still too young for that?
I don't know what to look for, that would suggest I have a male

Is there a way to share video on here? Was going to see if I could get a video of this oegb baby.. he was displaying roo behavior by 3 or 4 days.. he would attack my hand any time I did anything in the brooder.. it was very different from the curious "run over and see what that thing is" pecks that every chicken did. He obviously thought he was protecting his "flock", but I still spent 2 weeks carrying him around several times a day just in case. He will still do it, but not as aggressive or often.. another way to guess (still probably 50/50 odds of being right) but compare your babies legs.. boys are usually thicker.

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

But in general (sorry I get sidetracked easily when it comes to feathers..) but look for a cocky chick that seems to watch the other chicks more than normal, boys will generally be the first to check u out when u mess with other chicks. .try picking up a chick that u know is a screamer and then see which other chicks try to "run to the rescue".. I was always told to wave something over the brooder and the boys would stand at attention and the girls would duck.. I only tried it once years ago, and all I managed to do was scare the crap out of all of them

 

[Outdoorlover]

Sorry, I don't know how to post a video on here!

Tonight or this weekend I'll check the chicks legs....I I know I'll probably have to wait till the comb grows to know for sure, but I can't help keep checking other people hints on early sexing
Truth is I can't wait to name the babies, but I don't want to bond with a chick, and then have to give it up cause it turns out to be male

 

[jeremy]

Can't wait to start spring hatches!

 

[Honora]

Can't wait to start spring hatches!

They look great! I love your rooster. So what color combinations will you get with those?

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

I am so thankful that I dont have to make that choice. I have 4 brooders full right now, ages ranges from about 6 weeks(going outside as soon as the temps warm, should be tomorrow hopefully..waiting on this 15F temp to come and go) down to a group of assorted I ordered from a hatchery(hoping against all odds that i got a jubilee).. but extras boys get to live out their lives here as long as they dont have "roo 'tude", otherwise they go to the local swap or given to the first person that wants them. I have 2 barred babies in the oldest group, Im almost positive both are boys, but they are the sweetest. The fly right out of the brooder and then chase me around the chick room while I deal with everyone else..lol. so even if they crow and dont lay, they have a home here.
Maybe just give everyone a girl name, and then if someone decides to crow, swear its a hen that is just playing the role of the flock rooster. . Or give your closest neighbors first dibs on some free farm fresh eggs to keep the peace (and the boy(s) safe)? If you were closer, Id tell you to just bring them here and then come visit

ETA: this was in reply to OutdoorLover, but computer decided it forgot how to quote in a reply...

 

[LuvnEnglishOrps]

Quote:
Your boy is beautiful!! I am really wanting to add jubilee, but the more I see these chocolate colors, the more I am thinking those will be next on my list. I bet you have the prettiest brooders around <3

 

[Faraday40]

Does anyone have trouble with their orp's combs? Most of mine are OK, but some choc's get this:


None of my blacks or lavs have ever had this. The choc boy had a great body & sweet temperament, but I was afraid that he'd pass along these strange sprigs. Is there a name for this comb issue or am I the only one who has it?
I also have a choc pullet that has an imperfect comb, but not as severe. I was wondering if comb issues were common to choc orps or just my hatch.



I culled the big choc boy & kept the choc cuckoo who had a much nicer comb.





One of his downsides is that he's pretty small - about the same size as my lav orp hens.

Brick is about a month older, but only 2/3 the size of my lav roo.
Here they are at 7 & 8 months.