All will carry itThank you both
I did consider Minorca at one point, but finding a good breeder was very difficult.
Might KitKat yield chicks without recessive yellow, or will they all carry it?
The F1 Am x Orp hens do lay XL. But I really want Jumbo blues, preferably in their first year. I'd rather they laid less frequently if it meant bigger, cooler eggs, lol.
But they also have a delayed onset of lay from the English Orpington genes. I'm comfortable waiting until 6 months old, but some of them have waited until 9 or 10 months
But remember, hatchery quality Orpingtons are a productive breed and they share the same heritage with “English Orpingtons.” Orpingtons were originally created for fast growth and productivity. Unfortunately, English Orpingtons were bred just for size and fluff so much of this was lost but productivity is still buried deep in their genes (if they are not too inbred.)
Of course, there is always a tradeoff. A big bird will never lay as soon as a medium-sized one.
