The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[tennesseeckn]

I have to ask the experts.

I have 11 thirteen-week-olds and 4 almost-twelve-week-olds and they are loosing feathers! They don't LOOK like they're loosing them, but there are feathers everywhere! Bunches of feathers!

And it's been really cold here! Is this normal? I noticed that the boys are growing in some new, dark, shiny feathers, is that what this is all about? Adult feathers? I am paranoid because I just got them totally switched over to their homemade, whole grain, mostly organic feed last week. My Wyandottes have done just fine on this feed. Help! I don't want them to become baldies!

 

[RedReiner]

my two blue pullets, 6 months old.

this one has lots of lacing

 

[BamaChicken]

RR she is a beauty

 

[Mrs MIA]

I got my first egg from my splash hen!! They are 33 weeks old!!! (7.7 months). And it was fertile, too!!!

 

[BLaBauve]

Hi Everyone. I have a few non-Orp related questions. Every time I've posted on this thread everyone has kindly shared their experience and knowledge - so I'm hoping that can happen again.

I am contemplating showing a few of my girls when they are ready (a light sussex and blue orp). What I'm trying to learn about is exactly what they can catch at a show. I'm know there are lots of respiratory diseases, but what about maerks and newcastle? How likely is it that my bird will bring these things home? Even if I quarantine them they would still be carriers, right?

I'd love to hear what you all thing, and if it's even worth it. I know I'd enjoy showing my girls, but am I putting my whole flock at risk? Thanks so much!

Beth

 

[stoneunhenged]

The lemon cuckoos are starting to show a little more barring as they begin the get their adult feathers:

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Nice! Do you have a picture of what the female looks like?

 

[justtoni44]

New computer due tomorrow........................

Then I can post pictures and really feel a part of things..............

 

[HenThymes]

O.k. Joy, came across this on CL and it just looks like it belongs in your yard. I know it says gypsy but I think it would fit right in with your HP Theme.

It is just tooo cute!!

http://asheville.craigslist.org/grd/2113905633.html

 

[stoneunhenged]

Quote:
The female looks like a lighter version of a buff with more white color in the feathering but little if any distinct barring. The color genetics of lemon cuckoos are interesting. The barring gene is a color inhibitor that eliminates buff in portions of the feathers and produces white where the pigment is inhibited. Distinctly barred males like the one picture above carry two barring genes. The gene is sex-linked; females can carry only one copy of the gene so the expression tends to be less white color than in the homozygous (two barring gene) males. And, the white that is express in females is distributed in a less distinct pattern. The barring all but disappears. Males with only one barring gene tend to be colored like the females.