They are pretty popular over here on this side of the pond, almost as popular as the buffs. My black cockerel is starting to fill out & is looking good. I’ll try and get a picture of him today.
What is a “roach back?” I think she looks gorgeous!
The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread
- Thread starter justuschickens59
- Start date
What is a “roach back?” I think she looks gorgeous!
I am pretty handy when it comes to building fences. I've definitely done it enough times, although the current pen (and yard) fence was the first one I'd done since I was 16 or so?
I didn't fully understand the term at first, and I think it's used incorrectly by a lot of people. It is supposed to be an actual deformity of the back/spine, which she obviously does not have. The Orpington breeder that used the term said that her back should be flat in her profile and not rounded in the cushion area (in front of the tail) like a Cochin (or Pekin) would be. I don't know anyone on the forum that judges and could confirm that though.
I was so proud of the Lavenders last night. They didn't get on the roost, but they did go to sleep in the house on the floor. lol So at least I didn't have to chase them around.
The little Lavender is in the house as of day before yesterday. I gave her a bath, blow dried her, and got her set up in a tub in the roommate's bedroom, as she has decided she's attached to this chicken and oversees her care. I rolled towels up and made her a chicken taco so she sits up and can reach her food and water. I wanted to suspend her in a harness of sorts, but that didn't work. She kept tipping out of it. She's been eating and drinking which is good. She's not doing enough of either to make me happy, but we'll see what happens.
Who said big girls can’t fly? She nearly gave me a heart attack when she started eyeballing the top of the fence with Anna the Incorrigible, Catcher and Slayer of All Things Feathered waiting with bated breath to show me how quick she could catch her. Thankfully the call of scratch was too great and she jumped down.
The kids enjoyed their first taste of something that wasn’t chick starter.
I just love those two White Orpingtons. She is an absolute doll and has resting grump face like yours @Faraday40.
Everyone else enjoyed their treat too.
The kids enjoyed their first taste of something that wasn’t chick starter.
I just love those two White Orpingtons. She is an absolute doll and has resting grump face like yours @Faraday40.
Everyone else enjoyed their treat too.
Who are you calling grumpy?!
I thought it was strange when I had my 1st pair of opposite orp females = one grumpy white + one very dark laced.
The orig pair:
They hatched in late May. (I think) The white was not sold because I was saving her for a customer. I never sold the laced b/c I thought it was male. That's why these two are technically here. Now I'm simply taking my time to find them homes b/c I enjoy how they follow me around.
July 1st I had another hatch. Surprise..... another opposite orp pullet BFF combo.
This white female is a little prettier - but not as calm. She has the same grumpy face, though. The dark laced female doesn't have crisp lacing, but she's just as sweet. So strange that I ended up with almost identical pairs.
I thought it was strange when I had my 1st pair of opposite orp females = one grumpy white + one very dark laced.
The orig pair:
They hatched in late May. (I think) The white was not sold because I was saving her for a customer. I never sold the laced b/c I thought it was male. That's why these two are technically here. Now I'm simply taking my time to find them homes b/c I enjoy how they follow me around.
July 1st I had another hatch. Surprise..... another opposite orp pullet BFF combo.
This white female is a little prettier - but not as calm. She has the same grumpy face, though. The dark laced female doesn't have crisp lacing, but she's just as sweet. So strange that I ended up with almost identical pairs.
@ColtHandorf
So glad your black orp didn't fly the coop. I thought it was scary when my 10+ lb hen sleeps on the top shelf 7' up. Since it's way over my head and she's so bulky/heavy, I have trouble picking her up to get her down. She flaps a bit out of fear when her feet leave the ground. That big, round hen is NOT made for flying. Trying to restrain her wings and lift her over my head with my arms straight up while up on my toes is very difficult - and often dangerous. However, there is not enough room for such a big, clumsy bird to fly down. She often knocks down or flips the shelf when she jumps down 3' to the lower shelf & roost. The last 4' to the ground has a ladder - but she often just jumps.
So glad your black orp didn't fly the coop. I thought it was scary when my 10+ lb hen sleeps on the top shelf 7' up. Since it's way over my head and she's so bulky/heavy, I have trouble picking her up to get her down. She flaps a bit out of fear when her feet leave the ground. That big, round hen is NOT made for flying. Trying to restrain her wings and lift her over my head with my arms straight up while up on my toes is very difficult - and often dangerous. However, there is not enough room for such a big, clumsy bird to fly down. She often knocks down or flips the shelf when she jumps down 3' to the lower shelf & roost. The last 4' to the ground has a ladder - but she often just jumps.
Woot! No Name found a home with a new breeder about an hour and a half away. They picked him and five pullets up yesterday evening. Things were so much calmer this morning without him bossing Sterling and Hollywood around. Of course now I have four or five SLO cockerels to find yard art homes for. *deep sigh*
The little White Orpington pair is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. Which is so odd considering they are white. lol All of the chicks legs are turning a lovely creamy white as well which is quite a relief. Well all but two. And they are both boys. It's obvious that Sterling and Duchess were their parents.
Dahlia and Suede seem to have integrated fairly well with the Silver-laced adults and the Lavender hoodlums. They've calmed down some and are fitting in well. The Lavenders are almost all going to bed on the roosts at night which is quite nice. I only had to pick up like six last night. lol
The three little Blue pullets and the Chocolate pullet are getting along with everyone younger than them with almost no bullying. All the babies seem to be getting on well on the ground. They certainly enjoy playing in the dirt.
The SLO with the leg problems seems to be better? Like he/she (I'm still not sure what it is) still doesn't like walking, but it does move better when it decides to. The Lavender inside (Josie) doesn't seem to be getting any better. But she's not getting any worse either. She has a good appetite if you hold her food for her or remind her that it's there. She drinks well too. I'm sure she's enjoying the air conditioning. And is quite content to just sit in your hands while she eats. Her legs still won't stay under her if she tries to move and end up straight out behind/beside her. I'm keeping vitamins in her water and am picking up a new feed today that is non-soy and corn, as well as GMO free with a higher protein. I'm hoping to see an improvement with the two of them (and no repeats) switching to a feed that is nearly double the cost of what they've been on.
The little White Orpington pair is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. Which is so odd considering they are white. lol All of the chicks legs are turning a lovely creamy white as well which is quite a relief. Well all but two. And they are both boys. It's obvious that Sterling and Duchess were their parents.
Dahlia and Suede seem to have integrated fairly well with the Silver-laced adults and the Lavender hoodlums. They've calmed down some and are fitting in well. The Lavenders are almost all going to bed on the roosts at night which is quite nice. I only had to pick up like six last night. lol
The three little Blue pullets and the Chocolate pullet are getting along with everyone younger than them with almost no bullying. All the babies seem to be getting on well on the ground. They certainly enjoy playing in the dirt.
The SLO with the leg problems seems to be better? Like he/she (I'm still not sure what it is) still doesn't like walking, but it does move better when it decides to. The Lavender inside (Josie) doesn't seem to be getting any better. But she's not getting any worse either. She has a good appetite if you hold her food for her or remind her that it's there. She drinks well too. I'm sure she's enjoying the air conditioning. And is quite content to just sit in your hands while she eats. Her legs still won't stay under her if she tries to move and end up straight out behind/beside her. I'm keeping vitamins in her water and am picking up a new feed today that is non-soy and corn, as well as GMO free with a higher protein. I'm hoping to see an improvement with the two of them (and no repeats) switching to a feed that is nearly double the cost of what they've been on.
PlainOrpingtons2018
Songster
Terrible pics! Lol but here are 2 lavender pullets, the older one has a pinched tail that I don’t like. Shouldn’t be difficult to breed out hopefully, and the youngest pullet has a lovely tail. I hope to breed more lavenders soon! The oldest lavender pullet is constantly in the nest box, should be expecting eggs soon! I don’t like hatching pullet eggs though, so I’ll wait for her to grow more before I get to hatching.
I hate adding watermarks, but I’ve seen so many pics be stolen I want to take precautions, though I don’t think anyone would steal these lol they’re terrible pics! Construction was going on in the garage that day, sorry about the mess!
I hate adding watermarks, but I’ve seen so many pics be stolen I want to take precautions, though I don’t think anyone would steal these lol they’re terrible pics! Construction was going on in the garage that day, sorry about the mess!
I've had an awful time getting good pictures of mine too. I don't have the patience to squat long enough for the geese to lose interest and the chickens to act "normal" again. lol I like the size and the "floofiness" of them. Much better than my very APA-type Lavenders. The adults weren't as full bodied as I would have liked but they looked decent. The kids leave much to be desired. I'm hoping that crossing a Lavender over that Black pullet I got will provide some nice looking splits. But we shall see.
@PlainOrpingtons2018 - I know it's been hot where you are. Are your girls laying at all? Mine are molting quite a bit. I got one egg in the whole month of August I think. lol I'm expecting the Silver-laced and the Black pullet should start laying anytime based on age, but with it being warm, they may wait until the fall to start.
Nice orps. I know how you feel about stolen pics. I have so many floating out there and my kids are always pointing them out in the Google image search or Pinterest.
BUT... I actually had someone on Craigslist use one of my orp pics to sell their chicks. (The seller was in another state. I only knew it because a family member sent me an email asking why I was selling my favorite rooster.
) It's always been a pet peeve of mine when sellers don't use their own pics.... especially if they're selling an animal. Unless its something new in a box requiring assembly, there's no need to borrow photos. (Ok my venting is done now.)
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