What makes a lavender Orpington rooster show quality?

[howdyitsmia]

Hi there!
I was wondering what qualities make a lavender Orpington rooster show quality? I have one that is about 13 weeks old and was just curious.

Here he is, and I know he’s young, but what are the differences between him, and a show quality rooster?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm not sure Lavender is a recognized Orpington color yet.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there!
I was wondering what qualities make a lavender Orpington rooster show quality? I have one that is about 13 weeks old and was just curious.
View attachment 2314342


Here he is, and I know he’s young, but what are the differences between him, and a show quality rooster?

He is pretty.

First and foremost.. according to my understanding there are cockerel and cock classes to show in.. So he would be compared with other cockerels.. they don't technically earn their rooster/cock/hen badges until reaching a year old.

Looks like the standard being proposed for Orpington would be called Self Blue instead of Lavender. See if any good info pops out of the following links for you.. Noting I prefer English Orpington over American..

https://americanorpington.proboards.com/thread/25/aopf-proposed-lavender-orpington-standar

https://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com/apastandard.htm

About buff but generally good information that still applies..
https://www.communitychickens.com/raising-show-quality-buff-orpingtons-and-video-coop-tour/

This one mentions comb points..
https://www.countrypure.net/OrpingtonStandards.html

Basic things to check.. split wing, comb sprigs, eye color, etc.

Look at the SOP and as many birds that match it as you can. The more you train your eye the easier it becomes to just SEE things that don't fit.

Hope this helps some!

 

[howdyitsmia]

He is pretty.

First and foremost.. according to my understanding there are cockerel and cock classes to show in.. So he would be compared with other cockerels.. they don't technically earn their rooster/cock/hen badges until reaching a year old.

Looks like the standard being proposed for Orpington would be called Self Blue instead of Lavender. See if any good info pops out of the following links for you.. Noting I prefer English Orpington over American..

https://americanorpington.proboards.com/thread/25/aopf-proposed-lavender-orpington-standar

https://www.unitedorpingtonclub.com/apastandard.htm

About buff but generally good information that still applies..
https://www.communitychickens.com/raising-show-quality-buff-orpingtons-and-video-coop-tour/

This one mentions comb points..
https://www.countrypure.net/OrpingtonStandards.html

Basic things to check.. split wing, comb sprigs, eye color, etc.

Look at the SOP and as many birds that match it as you can. The more you train your eye the easier it becomes to just SEE things that don't fit.

Hope this helps some!

Thank! That’s a lot of great info

 

[Amer]

@EggSighted4Life has some good points.
In addition to that, I would increase size and depth and you would want more tail coverts for a smoother transition to the tail.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would increase size and depth

Body type may be more key than many of the things i mentioned.

American Orps are smaller bodied tighter feathered I think. English are broader and fluffier.. I THINK.

Folks who show.. keep their birds separate from the flock a period before showing to keep feathers in peak condition. The hard core show folks even plan their hatches accordingly, to have their birds at a specific age for nationals and such with regards to plumage, etc! Joining a specific breed club can bring immense value.. if have interest in the ins and outs of a certain breed. Many may let you read their forums without joining.

13 weeks means many more mini molts on the way to maturity and funky looking feathering meanwhile is normal.

Show value/quality.. really depends on how many other competitors there are in the same class/breed. I believe non recognized colors can be shown in "any other class" and if having a standard proposed would want to stick with the correct term regarding lav/self blue, etc.

I haven't seen any shows going forward with Covid.. or ever shown or even been to a live show yet, making my show knowledge/experience very little and second hand at best.. But still excited to learn about it as well, because you just never know what adventure awaits!

 

[howdyitsmia]

Body type may be more key than many of the things i mentioned.

American Orps are smaller bodied tighter feathered I think. English are broader and fluffier.. I THINK.

Folks who show.. keep their birds separate from the flock a period before showing to keep feathers in peak condition. The hard core show folks even plan their hatches accordingly, to have their birds at a specific age for nationals and such with regards to plumage, etc! Joining a specific breed club can bring immense value.. if have interest in the ins and outs of a certain breed. Many may let you read their forums without joining.

13 weeks means many more mini molts on the way to maturity and funky looking feathering meanwhile is normal.

Show value/quality.. really depends on how many other competitors there are in the same class/breed. I believe non recognized colors can be shown in "any other class" and if having a standard proposed would want to stick with the correct term regarding lav/self blue, etc.

I haven't seen any shows going forward with Covid.. or ever shown or even been to a live show yet, making my show knowledge/experience very little and second hand at best.. But still excited to learn about it as well, because you just never know what adventure awaits!

That’s awesome. I’ve been getting a bit more interested in this stuff lately, but still know barely anything about it. Definitely lots of great things to be discovered

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

This thread may help you out, however, I believe it’s mostly for the English standard: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-imported-english-orpington-thread.386051/.

 

[Amer]

Lavenders have not yet been brought to the American Standard, which is why there is difficulty accepting them, so I’ll show you a buff instead.

Deep, wide, smooth transition to tail.
His legs are still very present and he doesn’t look bloated with fluff.