Orpingtons As A Dual Purpose Breed

I've mentioned that one of the reasons I chose to raise English Orpingtons was not only for their beauty, but because thus far, they have proven to be very good layers, and meat for the table as well. They've also been docile and easily contained in our yard fence, which matters in our area.

I had a couple of boys that had wry tail. It's a disqualification at shows, and a defect that you don't want to pass along, so they were culled.
Hopefully I won't see any in the next generation. It's an actual deformity of the spine, and the pictures are to help anyone learning. It wasn't noticable until probably 4 months, and got worse as they got older.

So, of these two boys that were processed, one was going to be my backup rooster so that was disappointing. You can see in the pictures that he was shorter, and heavier fleshed than the other boy.
I have kept his brother as my main boy, who is in one of the last pictures. He and the heavier boy were from a brother of the rooster I used for breeding the following hatches. Their dad was mean as a rattlesnake, so I'm hoping that particular trait wasn't passed along lol.
Mom cooked one in the crockpot, and I slow-simmered the other and made noodles...they were very good. This one was 4.5 lb.s at 5-ish mo.s old (after processing)so I imagine that the other was 5 lb.s or more.
I hope this will encourage anyone who's interested to raise your own food if possible, to share info on why culling for wry tail is necessary, and to show those interested that this line is table-worthy.

If I Sell You Chicks or Eggs...

So, I wanted to mention something that I feel is important, and would like for anyone who's considering buying eggs or chicks from me, to read please.

Most people, including myself in the past, buy chicks or fertile eggs from someone having the expectation that they will hatch and or raise chickens that are as good as that breeder's best birds.

It doesn't always work that way.

It's said that it takes an investment of anywhere from 3-5 years for a breeder to establish a line of their own. That's if they are utilizing an actual breeding program, and select each year's keepers carefully. By year three and beyond, pretty consistent results should be able to be expected.
Even then, weird genes can still pop up, and out of 100 chicks hatched, there will always be the top 5-10 that are exceptional. The rest may be good, but not the best..and if they can help it, breeders will never sell you their best! They need them to continue their own line.

I've purchased hatching eggs for $80-$100, and have only hatched a few, and some of them had faults, disqualifications, or were only mediocre.

 Please be aware of the risk and willing to take it. 

 Many breeders will not sell eggs or day old chicks anymore because of these things, as well as not wanting to unknowingly sell their best bird that season. But for many, they will only sell started juveniles so they and you as well, know more about what you're getting.

With some of my breeds I will grow the majority out for several months before selling any. With some I may sell eggs or chicks if I've hatched all I need and still have alot of extra eggs, but I can't and won't guarantee what you will hatch or how the chicks will turn out.
I'd have to lie to do so.
Chicks may grow out to be amazing, or some fault could show up down the line. I have no idea and neither does anyone else who sells eggs or chicks, if they'd admit it lol.
Also, if fertility is low, I won't sell eggs. I don't want anyone wasting their money if I can help it.

If you understand these issues and the risks, I'd be happy to work with you!

Cheryl

English Lavender Orpington Chicks - 6 Weeks Old

A Book I Will Save Up For!

This is one I'm going to save for! The Brahma and the Cochin share history and origins. I've thought of doing a "project pen" with them. I've always liked the pea comb.
 I think we should all consider actually buying hardcopy books again, the internet may not always be accessable the way this world is going, you know? May create a small library of special books, important information such as basic survival and homesteading included.
Never know...
Plus, there's no substitute for having a book in hand to reference, anytime. For the young people especially, consider some Carla Emery books to learn the simple and old ways.
Just a little unsolicited advice from a grandma lol.

The Brahma Bible