Lavender English Orpington Chicks!

Guys, I was so happy when I woke up to these new chunky, healthy babies! They are self blue/lavender English Orpingtons. I ordered the hatching eggs from Carolina Rare Chicks. They sent 15, 14 started developing, 12 made it to lockdown and so far I have 10. That's an amazing hatch rate for shipped eggs. There are 9 lavender and one black split to lavender baby. Their line is from birds that were directly imported from the UK. It will be fun watching them grow!

https://www.carolinararechicks.net/lavender-orpington

Covid 19 Fallout

What a mess, eh? This year has been chaotic and filled with uncertainty. Shortages, shutdowns, job loss, children getting behind in school. There's much speculation among homesteaders and "preppers" that we will be putting our skills to good use..canning, stocking up on food, meds and other supplies. A healthy dose of faith in the Lord is the most important thing to have a lot of these days. Now we're seeing riots and war drums of civil war, especially concerning what happens in this election. I'm not gonna preach to you all, but I do believe we're living in the endtimes. And if I'm right, there's much worse yet to come. Chick fever has spread like wildfire. Food insecurity has people scrambling to raise at least part of their own food. If anything good has come out of this so far, returning to some of the old ways and the common sense of our grandparents and those before them is a welcome sight.

Hope you all are hanging in there and staying well, and if we have to wear masks..hey, we can at least do it our way lol!

Cheryl

English Jubilee Orpington Growouts

Run Ideas..

Someone finally sat too hard on the porch swing, so I thought the Cochins would enjoy it..and some herbs to snack on as well.

Kenny Trioano - Breeding Methods

Excellent and interesting information about different breeding Methods and the pros and cons of each one.

Hot Summer Day

Looks VS Sustainability

Only one of my Jubilee girls has went broody and stayed committed. Another was "clucky" for a few days then quit. The new momma is my smallest hen. We call her Itty Bitty. Most would kick her out of their breeding program since she's a little smaller than the others, but I'm interested in keeping good traits in my birds just as much as I am in correct type. Temperament, being good mother's/Father's, protectors, layers..all as important as having the right "looks."

Spur Removal

So, after one of my Cochin hens was seriously injured by the rooster, I've been looking into solutions. I did order some hen saddles, and used them some but it's been too hot to keep them on the hens. Then I started searching for info on spur trimming and removal.
I've never done it or had to, but it became a serious issue that needed a solution.
I tried trimming and filing but the spurs were still like daggers.
So, I got up the courage to try removal...
It went fine!
I was definitely nervous and imagined major bleeding and anything else that could go wrong, but it was quick and simple. My boy seemed just fine during and after.
Here's a link to Happy Wife's video on how to do it with a simple pair of plyers and blue kote to seal the wound after...

Spur Removal

Hatchery Quality vs Breeder Quality

Hatchery quality vs Breeder quality

First let me say, as I have in the past, I'm not downing hatcheries. Especially not the family-ran, long established hatcheries. Hatcheries are a good source for layers and meat birds, and if that's what you're after you'll probably do fine with them. But, if you want very good-excellent-show quality chickens, it's likely to never come from a hatchery.
They generally focus more on quantity, not quality.
Those chicks are always cheaper, absolutely, but realize what the trade off is.
The first picture is of a hatchery Orpington cockerel at six months old. The next pictures are two of my 4-5 month old English Orpingtons, and their dad who's a year old.
We've had hundreds of hatchery chickens over the years, this is the norm, not an exception.
You may have to go out of your way a little more, and spend more to get birds from breeders, but it will almost always be worth it.
Even good breeders have less than great birds hatch, it's just genetics and if they're honest they'll say so.
Just wanted to share an example of why you should consider buying from private breeders.

LF Mottled Cochins -July 2020

I've decided not to offer any eggs or chicks this year, and not sure if I will in the future.

After I grow them out through Spring and Summer I may make some older juveniles and adults available late Fall. This way I can better assess if they are pet or breeder quality, and choose which ones I will keep.

Thanks to everyone for your interest. Feel free to check with me in the Fall.

Cheryl

No Boys Allowed - Roosters

People, in general, do not want roosters. Sometimes it's because they live in an area where roosters aren't allowed. Sometimes it's because they already have a rooster and two means fighting and lots of it.
Most of the time, they only want hens who will supply them with eggs.

That's really influenced my decision to raise few silkies. Most Americans don't eat them, though in some countries they are used medicinally or even as a delicacy.
That means disposing of 90% of all the boys you hatch and there usually seems to be more males than females. Often, you can't even give roosters away free and find homes for them all. Some breeders refuse to sell hens only, they require people to take a rooster also, or no sale.

I'm focusing more on my other breeds which although rare, can easily be utilized as a dual purpose breed..able to be used for meat and eggs.
They take longer to mature than other breeds but nevertheless can eventually feed your family.

The truth being what it is regarding roosters, pullets and hens come at a higher price, especially if you want them laying or close to point of lay(POL.)

All of my unsold males will be sent off to freezer camp come Fall. Orpingtons make nice table birds as well as being good layers. I won't force anyone to take an unwanted rooster, but again, that's part of the reason why hens cost more.