The IMPORTED ENGLISH Orpington Thread

[HenThymes]

Hey Joy, we will definitely have to get together at the show!

I have 7 new "Biggie" babies as of today. Woke up to 4 this morning and the last three today. That brings me to a total of 19 over the past several weeks. We are going to stop their for now and let them grow a bit to see who is going to do what. I am now going to focus on creating some blues from him, so I will have some more to report in the coming weeks.

 

[ruth]

I'm not sure if I've ever posted pics of some of the birds I hatched from Julie's eggs (about a year or so ago) and from that flock which I've kept pure - but they are running all over my farm now and they are simply stunning.

Even when young, like this guy, they are magnificent:

 

[tazcat70]

Quote:
Very nice Monique!

 

[jeremy]

I love your Blues Monique, the Blues are my absolute favorite, they're stunning.

 

[onthespot]

Here's my roo I hatched from Julie's eggs last summer. I think June. This roo was my pick to keep, and late last fall he injured his leg somehow and I was not sure he would make it. He just could hardly walk, and held it out at an odd anlgle. It wasn't warm, and he could bear a tiny bit of weight on it, and just for months he layed there. I bedded him down in deep shavings outside his regular pen so he could see his girls, and food and water within reach. Sometimes he would just lie in the same spot and poop and I had to cut his butt feathers off to keep him sanitary. He loved his girls and seemed like he was not giving up, so every day I would make sure he was changing position, stir him around a little, let one of his girls come sit by him (or ignore him, LOL) and make sure his water was fresh. I checked his range of motion, and the leg was able to move, didn't seem to have any "really bad" changes in circulation. Some days his foot was cooler, never cold, and never hot at all. I would just gently massage the thigh and warm the foot in my hand for circulation. It never swelled, just was lame. Poor boy. Lost a LOT of weight until his breast bone was sharp, and he was very easy to lift. His comb went pale, but his eyes stayed bright. His wattle got pale with spots that shriveled up and sloughed off. I have no idea what was wrong with him, but he has been gradually getting better, and walking around so much that we really have to watch the gates now. He "supervises" at feeding time and is starting to make a pest of himself to the other roosters in their pens. LOL. A couple weeks ago he sneaked in his with "his" (even though they have a full time rooster) girls and sneak bred one. WOOT! I don't want him breeding until his leg is 100% solid, but yesterday I saw him hobble-run for the first time! And it was for no particular reason other than just because he felt good. YAY! I picked him up and he has filled out about halfay back to normal in the breast meat area. I think he's gonna make it and be back to breeding later on in the season. For now I am using a blue roo, so generously given me from 3dogs. She hatched it from Imoene's eggs and he is doing a great job, but I can't WAIT to get babies from this young guy. Anyhow, wanted to share his story and his pic. And thank Julie. Great, great birds. None of us can thank you enough. I believe she told me he was 3/4 English. Love, love LOVE this rooster! The hurt leg is the left one, but you can hardly tell in this picture, he is standing so normal now. YAY!

 

[jeremy]

Neville had not only his first photoshoot this morning but his first "conjugal" visit with his future hens to be, too.

Everything went surprisingly well. I was expecting the girls to chase him away from the feeder or thump him on the head if he got too close, but there was no fussing between them at all. They ate together, drank together AND... Neville attempted to mount two different girls! I'm thinking maybe the change in scenery might have jump started his chicken libido, whaddya think Julie?

Anyways, here's my new boy.

'Scuse the poops in this picture, not only are the Orps big but so are their poops!

Neville wasn't the only one who wanted their picture taken this morning.

I want to say thank you so much Julie for helping me bring Neville home, he's a very sweet boy. He's definitely still a bit shy around me but he has warmed up a lot since last week, he's eating scratch out of my hand now! We're working on finishing the Orpington's separate run from the rest of the flock, hopefully that will be done by this weekend. Just as soon as the fences are up Neville will be with the girls 24/7. Then it'll be baby hatching time!

Patty, he's a gorgeous boy! I'm glad he's recovered, it sounds like you did everything in your power to help him regain his health.

 

[justuschickens59]

Quote:
CONGRATS Jeremy - Neville is a handsome young lad. Looks to have great potential !! I'm glad that your ladies took to him right away. Seeing all those pretty girls all just for him probably kick-started his chicken libido. LOL.

Your blue girls looks really great too !! You should get some really awesome babies from them !!!

 

[justuschickens59]

Quote:
Tricia - we definitely will get together at the show !!

CONGRATS on the great hatches !! I have 8 that are due to hatch tomorrow and one already has a pip !!

 

[Majestic Lane Poultry]

my first update on this years part English hatch

New broody has been on eggs over 3 weeks. She has been a very good mommy. Last night I decided to candle only to find one fertile egg out of 15. As it was just in the beginning stages of veining, I threw all the others out and gave her and another broody 24 American Orp Eggs to set on. Bless her little heart. Her comb and wattles are so pale...she has been very dedicated. I set these along with a filled hovabator so certainly she will get her reward this time around. She wants to be a momma so badly.

 

[heyjude1]

Ruth and Jeremy---Both of you have absolutely gorgeous birds!! I am so impressed. You should be very proud of yourselves...Excellent job, both of you.!!!!!