The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[ColtHandorf]

So far I've sold 12 hatching eggs for $60, which come out to $5 per egg. Online I've seen prices averaging about $120 for a dozen eggs. Chicks I've seen range between $69.99 (on sale) to $89.99 each. Originally I was going to go with $10 each, but was thinking prices on the chicks should be higher. The only started bird I sold was about three months and I sold her for $35. Which I felt like was kind of low but ,c'est la vie. I purchased the first pair for $95. The group of youngsters that resulted in the only surviving pullet, who I think I've decided to name Victoria, for Queen Victoria I got for $5 but obviously that was a steal. The four adult birds I added, I purchased for a great price. I think they were $150 for all of them. One of those hens they breeder purchased for $250. So there is just a really large difference in prices that I've seen, so I was curious. Especially when people look at you like you're crazy for charging more than $2 for a chick.

 

[Faraday40]

So there is just a really large difference in prices that I've seen, so I was curious. Especially when people look at you like you're crazy for charging more than $2 for a chick.

OH Do I understand that!!!!


I try to stay clear of people looking for a bargain, because what they don't understand is the difference in quality and how much $ and effort went into obtaining the best birds for breeding. Sure anyone can get feed store chicks AND they are even sold as sexed females. If some one is happy with those, great bargain for them. After all, any hen will lay eggs. If they want a pretty, jaw-dropping, gentle giant that will be staying around as a backyard pet (In addition to giving eggs), then going the breeder route makes a lot more sense. Most people who buy my chicks are referrals from other customers. Sometimes I'll buy or swap eggs in order to sell other breeds of chicks, but I specialize in Orps. If I hatch some mixed eggs - like a Leghorn x Orp, Easter-Orp, etc. - I'll sell those for $3-5.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Here are the pics I snatched yesterday afternoon before pool. They were very excited for food.

I absolutely adore the little white pullet. She is absolutely gorgeous! Already well-feathered and so sweet.

 

[Faraday40]

They're looking good.
Are these 2 smaller ones slightly younger? Their feathers look a little behind.

Are you going to keep & test breed the white orp pullet. If it's recessive white, then her babies should be laced when bred to a laced (unless the roo also carries recessive white - then 50% will be white.)

I know it's not considered desirable, but I love the variety of colors. My recessive whites always turn out pretty and I can sell them as pets.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Are these 2 smaller ones slightly younger?

Yes, they are about three weeks younger than the older nine (and turkey). The two of them alone were driving me nuts so i integrated them with the velociraptors outside a bit earlier than I would normally, and they've been doing well. You can clearly see the difference in those two younger ones also, where one had down consistent with a Silver-laced pattern and then the other that expressed gold/chocolate down patterns.

It is so odd to me that there was such a vast difference in the down colors for all of them to be feathering in Silver-laced. Granted there's a large variety in the lacing, but it all appears to be Silver.

Are you going to keep & test breed the white orp pullet.

I am planning on keeping her and her brother. I hate to do a sibling cross to get more recessive white, but maybe I can find another source for a male. I didn't think I'd really like the whites, but I'm loving her. He's a bossy little thing that tramples over everyone, but they are all in that very self-absorbed stage. lol

If it's recessive white, then her babies should be laced when bred to a laced

That's interesting. I didn't even think about it. Granted the offspring could be carrying Recessive White, but I guess if they aren't expressing it, it isn't the end of the world so long as buyers know they might produce whites later when crossing.

Mel and Sue are finally getting in some pin feathers on their backs. I'm anxious to see what they are going to look like all feathered out. I'm pleased with how large Victoria has gotten. She doesn't weigh more than the two older girls yet, but she's definitely more full feathered. You can barely see her legs now. I'm hoping her next molt will get rid of the last of those weird, mossy/poorly laced feathers back in her cushion/tail region. I think breeding her back to Sterling will improve the lacing and keep the size as he's larger than either Hollywood or No Name.

He's finally feeling all the way better, which is so relieving. He's crowing again without losing his breath, and acting like his normal sweet self. it's been a little cooler here over the week so the panting has let up some...for the chickens at least. I still think it's entirely too warm to be outside for long...lol

 

[Faraday40]

I am planning on keeping her and her brother. I hate to do a sibling cross to get more recessive white, but maybe I can find another source for a male. I didn't think I'd really like the whites, but I'm loving her. He's a bossy little thing that tramples over everyone, but they are all in that very self-absorbed stage. lol

That's interesting. I didn't even think about it. Granted the offspring could be carrying Recessive White, but I guess if they aren't expressing it, it isn't the end of the world so long as buyers know they might produce whites later when crossing./QUOTE]

Yes, it's always best to share what you know or even suspect about the genetics. I'm guessing you've got a recessive white, but it's possible there's another cause. Some serious breeders wouldn't want to add that gene. For me it's all about the fun & I enjoy the occasional white, so not a big deal. I just wouldn't want all my birds to carry it.

Since you bred these two white chicks, I'm sure you'll have more whites pop up in the future. If both parents are carriers, 25% chance you'll hatch another when they breed again. If you like the white pullet, keep her. You can test breed her with your current 3 males to see which carries the white. (50% chance of white when you find the male carrier) The whites are pretty and unique, but I doubt there's a huge demand for the recessive white orps (especially if the leg & beak color aren't the right color). They're more of a novelty and for people who just a pretty chicken. If you want to try starting a white orp breeding pen, it would be far easier to just buy white orps and start from there. I guess I would just eat the white male to avoid producing too many of them.

 

[ColtHandorf]

"I guess I would just eat the white male to avoid producing too many of them."

You know I wish I could. I have never been able to process and eat one of my own birds. Is that just super weird? Like I'd sell them to someone to process for themselves, although I wouldn't even know where to begin charging for that. I don't even know if I could take them somewhere to have them processed and then cook them. I'm not a huge fan of meat on the bone.

And you know that goofy legged Silver-laced Orpington? I'd bet money it's a pullet. I'm about to start squirting Vitamin B capsules into her beak.

 

[ColtHandorf]

So I just found these within a forty-five minute drive of the house...

https://nacogdoches.craigslist.org/grd/d/point-chicks-layers-roos-selling-out/6967231811.html

What are y'all's opinions on them? I have prices on everything they are selling. I'm going to have to ask them if they'd be willing to split up some of the pairs, as I don't need that many friggen roosters. lol I'm already way too rooster heavy. I do not need those chocolates, but my god they are soooo fluffy! I am however very interested in the Blue, Black, and Splash birds. And the one White, provided it's recessive.

 

[ColtHandorf]

@PlainOrpingtons2018 @Faraday40 @homeschoolin momma

Just tagging you all so you didn’t miss those pictures.

 

[Faraday40]

I have never been able to process and eat one of my own birds. Is that just super weird?

Not at all. It took me several years to work my way up to it. I realized just how much time & $ went into feeding and caring for those extra males only to give them away to strangers. I hated the waste.

Spoiler: How I started

At 1st I called my handyman friend (who grew up on a farm) to put down an injured hen. Then there was an unpredictable, aggressive rooster who I feared would attack my kids. I felt sad but in both cases I knew it was the right decision. I let him keep the meat. Likewise, I used to give away any extra cockerels to anyone who would take them off my hands. However, the next time there was a need to put down an old hen (she was only laying soft shelled eggs), I asked our handyman if I could assist and learn. Having a mentor helped me with the hands on learning, but just having someone to talk with during the processing helped keep me from crying. Basically I prepped myself emotionally, set the date & time, and ended up freezing the meat. I knew I couldn't eat her right away, so when I felt ready, I researched some recipes and also made bone broth so nothing would go to waste. Through trial and error I discovered heritage backyard chicken works best in soups/stews/slow cooker meals. There's a different flavor = more flavor than grocery store meat.

For the past 2-3 years, I've grown more pragmatic about it. I have another friend with acreage who will gladly accept my extra male chicks. She can grow them out longer and give them a very good life.... with only one bad day. I can also process some of the extra cockerels - but I don't have the room to grow them up to full adulthood. When I look at the poor crammed conditions most grocery store birds are raised in, I feel better knowing that mine were well cared for. Also, those meatbirds are killed at 8 weeks & mine get to free range for 2-3xs that long (.... and longer if I give them to my friend). The actual processing day is never fun. However, when it's done and those birds are gone, there's a little peace. Less crowing, less beaks to feed, less cleaning, less hens squawking from being raped, etc. It makes me wonder why I waited so long. There's also a huge sense of accomplishment when I cook a meal with all of the ingredients coming from your backyard. We have a big garden & fruit trees.

If you can't do the killing (which was me for several years), you may be able to ask a local chicken friend if you may assist them when they do their processing. It could be easier if they're not your birds. I'm not grossed out by dissections, so for me it was the actual kill I could not do.

There are also special butchers who are licensed for meat processing. There's one 40 min away from here. Someone we knew used them. Basically they dropped off the live birds and returned a half hour later to pick them up - all shrink wrapped and ready to cook or freeze.

Processing is a skill that not many people around here know. Since we keep chickens and are not vegetarians, I thought I should learn. Besides the processing, I also learned that meat needs to be either: cooked immediately OR allowed to "rest" a couple days in the fridge before cooking. We had a couple very tough dinners.