where to go for best buff orps?

[farmergal]

I'm really falling in love with buff orps and might have to replace some of my RIRs with some buffies next Spring. (They're so sweet and beautiful, I find them hard to resist!)
I'm interested in breeding them and so I'd like good quality birds to start out with. Do any hatcheries have particularly nice BO lines? I'm in California, and I don't know too much about how to find other breeders for good stock... Any tips on where to find some good girls? I don't have a bator -- I'd be looking for day-olds.
any help appreciated,
Lynda

 

[TerrasCritters]

Will you beable to make it to the Stockton Show in Jan? A friend of mine picked up some nice SQ Buff Orps there last year. Might be an option for you to pick up some adults?

 

[farmergal]

Do you know if there are ever chicks at the Stockton show? After drooling over those pictures of Blue Orps, I might need to get into that too...

 

[gumpsgirl]

I know you don't have a bator, but you could always use natures bators. (The hens when they go broody!

) The best buffs I've seen (they are gorgeous) along with the best personalities are hinkjc's buffs. I hatched some from her flock this past summer and LOVE them! Everyone else that has hatched some from her flock has been pleased as well. Just a thought.

 

[ChickaD]

As far as hatcheries go, we've usually ordered from Murray McMurray and have been very pleased. Among our current older hens from Mc.M. is a wonderful BO who's 6 or 7 yrs old and still laying, still sweetly follows me around the yard, still the first after treats...Tweety's our flock matron!

 

[farmergal]

good idea! I guess I could also always ask for a bator for christmas from my SO, too... gosh you know you're becoming addicted to chickens when you start thinking about bators for christmas, chicks for birthdays, etc...

as far as buying eggs from folks on BYC, is it okay just to PM people you've heard have good flocks, or more polite to wait until they post offering eggs? this newbie is still figuring out all of the online manners stuff...

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I ordered from Sandhill Preservation. You have to order early and then wait but its worth it. Ours are only 18 weeks but they are beautiful. I also ordered their blue and black orpingtons. Somehow I also got a pair of white that I think are the most beautiful birds I own. I don't own a bator either or i would order some from hinkjc as well.

 

[sandspoultry]

Nothing against the hatcheries but that is just what you are going to get is hatchery birds. They don't breed them for conformation or to standard. If you want good quality I would go to a private breeder. There are quite a few, don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for pics of the flock. Alot of people claim show quality and can show you pics of blue ribbons but then you see pics of the flock and they aren't show quality so it really pays to shop around.
Steve in NC

 

[gumpsgirl]

Quote:
Yes! Drop hinkjc (Jody) a PM. That's not a problem at all! She posts hatching eggs for sell all of the time. I know she won't mind.

If you get a bator for Christmas, ask for a Hova Bator Genesis 1588. I LOVE mine and it was only $150 with the auto turner. It comes preset so all you have to do is plug it in and add water. Very easy!

 

[KKluckers]

Quote:
I can give you the number of two breeders in a Ca that have Exhibition stock. You could try to call them now and see if they might be close to you. I dont know if they sell chicks or not? Im bring down several of my blues and blacks to exhibit. Only 3 months to go!

ETA: just Pm me if you want the info. There is another guy I think that sells chicks. He just won best Orpington at the Orpington national. I have some pictures of his five month pullets that one of them won best English at the Puyallup fair. Pictures of that line are on my website at the bottom of my Orpington page.