The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[ColtHandorf]

I enjoyed my OEGB but they weren't my favorite bantam. I adored my Bantam Black Australorps. The Sumatras, Nankins, and Belgian Quail d'Anvers were close seconds.

Are you still thinking about getting some bantam Orp eggs from the breeder on here?

 

[Faraday40]

I enjoyed my OEGB but they weren't my favorite bantam. I adored my Bantam Black Australorps. The Sumatras, Nankins, and Belgian Quail d'Anvers were close seconds.

Are you still thinking about getting some bantam Orp eggs from the breeder on here?

If the stars align, yes, I'd love to get some. Right now my good incubator is in need of a fan. I wouldn't want to attempt hatching without it. (My Styrofoam incubator has some of my own eggs in it right now. No big deal whether they hatch or not. If it works, my son & Cloverbud group gets an early start to their projects. If it doesn't go well, we have plenty of time to repeat.)

My son actually applied for a farm bureau grant to build his own incubator using an Incu-kit from Incubator Warehouse. If he gets the funding, I'll let you know how it works out. I'm kind of hoping we find a broken wine cooler to convert into a cabinet incubator. Maybe he could use a nice end table to make his mama a fancy wooden incubator.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I'm still shopping around trying to decide what I want (and can afford). Hopefully I'll get something picked out by the end of the month. For now I'm just going to try using the small ones. My friend let me borrow her rcom again, but the humidity pump isn't working now, so I'm going to have to see what I can figure out.

 

[Faraday40]

I'm still shopping around trying to decide what I want (and can afford). Hopefully I'll get something picked out by the end of the month. For now I'm just going to try using the small ones. My friend let me borrow her rcom again, but the humidity pump isn't working now, so I'm going to have to see what I can figure out.

The brinsea octagon is an amazing incubator. Sadly not made anymore and people never seem to resell them! If you ever see an affordable used one for sale, snatch it up!

Most of the schools use Hovabators with an egg turner. They get decent results and are economical - especially if you only hatch a couple times per year. Very good egg capacity.

If you want something more automatic and can't afford a brinsea, try an Incuview. I recommended it to our park district, and at the time it was only $10 more than the Hovabator Genesis. Very easy to set up, digital, low maintenance, and great hatches. It has a smaller footprint and excellent viewing for hatch day. (Big requirement for classrooms!) Holds about 24-26 orp eggs, but can fit any size egg. The eggs are incubated on their sides and turner shuts off automatically on day 18. The only minor issue was keeping the humidity up. Had to add water 1-2xs per day at the end.
https://incubatorwarehouse.com/incuview-advanced-combo-kit.html
Another incubator I'd love someone to test for me is the Nurture Right 360. I have no 1st or 2nd hand knowledge, but the reviews look good. This is was the price of the Incu-view 2 years ago.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-nurture-right-360

 

[homeschoolin momma]

I would LOVE to try that incuview one. It has a spout to pour water! I hate having to open the lid twice a day to add more water!!!

 

[Faraday40]

I would LOVE to try that incuview one. It has a spout to pour water! I hate having to open the lid twice a day to add more water!!!

You can use some plastic tubing to make your own spout. Tape one end inside incubator to deposit water into channel and slide it through a vent. Attach a funnel to the outside end.

My fav feature is actually how there's nothing to change on day 18. In all of my incubators I have to remove the turner or at least position eggs for hatching. I had plenty of eggs quit so close to the end (fully formed but with a yolk). I always wonder if the cause of death was me taking too long or the temp fluctuations when the humidity is increased.

 

[Faraday40]

Here's Mr. Potenetial. I love his flowing feathers.

close up of face

And here's my sweet 'Awesome' I decided that he'll be my main rooster...... whenever he begins to crow & mate. He's just so....well.... AWESOME!

I'll be looking for a good home for Mr Wonderful, but there's no rush since the 3 boys get along.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Awesome is so gorgeous! Im still glad I've got my super sweet Taji, but I do miss puppy. Something about these slo that are so sweet and irresistible!

 

[Faraday40]

Something about these slo that are so sweet and irresistible!

x2

If you remember I had a white orp (named Boo) and her gorgeous SLO bestie (named Peek). Peek & Boo went everywhere together. I actually wanted to keep Peek for myself but I just couldn't separate them. The girls are living in luxury and laying up a storm. I just got some new pics from their owners today:
Boo

Peek

 

[ColtHandorf]

Just lovely. I got another Silver-laced pullet over the weekend and the two turkey hens. They are settling in today. We're working from home right now because of the whole quarantine/virus situation, so that's nice to be able to keep an eye on them. I'm going to save up eggs over the week and then set them to see what fertility is like.

The weather has been miserable, with thunder storms and tons of rain. If the weather improves any I'll try and get some good pictures of everyone.

I'm so glad that I was able to find those turkey hens. The tom decided he was going to try breeding Odette, the little white pullet last week. I just happened to be outside when it happened, so I intervened and he and I have had daily altercations since. I haven't seen him attempt to breed one of the new turkey hens this morning, but fingers crossed he realizes that they are the same species and very interested. They kept squatting for me while I was catching them. lol He needs to straighten up, or I'll end up having to find the trio a new home.

Georgia is still cooking away her goose children. I'm so ready to have tubs of baby Orpington chicks though. If I set this next batch of eggs and the Silver-laced fertility is super low I'm going to have to swap Hollywood out for Caspian or Sterling. He threw some gorgeous babies last year, but I don't think he's been doing the job lately. I'm going to test out some of the eggs from the girls Caspian is covering too. He's not very experienced when it comes to mating but he adores Prudence.

All of the birds are on Denegard for right now, including Suede. I'm really hoping this perks him up and he kicks the crud and starts being his big sexy self again. If I don't see some improvement in the next week or so, I may have to make the decision to let him go. I can't have a full grown Orpington rooster living in the bathroom. It smells like a barnyard. So fingers crossed the meds get him to feeling better.