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[CatsCube]

I was thinking of keeping orpingtons this time around, and fritton poultry near me specialise in them. Im wondering though, do they continue to lay in winter, I keep finding mixed views on this.

 

Anyone keep them and can give me an idea of there seasonal laying rate?

[Janty]

I've got three Orps from Charley at Fritton Poultry. I collected them about September time and they started laying December/January/February. However, I have a mini Orp that doesn't lay during Winter. Charley has some lovely coloured birds if you do decide to go down that route.

[Redwing]

Many pure breeds can lay on and off throughout their first winter as long as they have gone in to it in laying condition

 

After that you'd expect them to always take some sort of break over winter

 

Orps arent the best layers overall though!

[percy049]

Charley's orps have one nationals I think ... we got our bluebelle and light susex from her Orpingtons might go off lay in winter a bit, being pure breeds, but shouldnt be as bad as other pure breeds

 

"Our Crele Orpington Cockerel won best in show at the National Poultry Show 2009 and our Blacks have won numerous prizes at local shows."

[dixie chick]

I have an Orpington in my flock of seven different breeds - and she started laying in February after no eggs all winter. Since then she has had two spells of broodiness - so no eggs then either ...... I dont think you keep Orpingtons for their egg laying ability - but for all their other gorgeous cuddly qualities and the way they run towards you like an old lady galloping along with their fluffy knickers billowing around their bottoms!

[percy049]

I do hear that orpingtons go broody very easily, which is what put us off them, along with them being to big for the

[miller30]

all 4 of my orps go broody every year so along with my pekins i end up with about 12 broodies oh well i wouldnt be with out my orps leanne

[CatsCube]

hmmmm, I was hoping to stick 3 in the eglu go, Im thinking I will just go for a mix of hybrids. Fritton dont seem at have any at the mo, where else do people recommend Norfolk way? I have just popped an email to a place called Picton Farm, dont know what they have.

[percy049]

I think theres a place called hollygate farm just north of nowrich. Also theres potters of weybread just down the A140 near Harleston. you could try this website: http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/poultry-suppliers/hen-for-sale-Norfolk.php. You could also rescue http://littlehenrescue.co.uk/default.aspx

[Duncan08]

I do hear that orpingtons go broody very easily, which is what put us off them, along with them being to big for the

The orpingtons are gorgeous(not that we are looking for any new girls) we met a gorgeous young gentleman orp who was bigger than our go!!!!

Do they do smaller versions more suitable for the go?

[CatsCube]

Ah yes Potters, thats who I got my girls from last time, I see they also stock the eglu go, so thats rather handy

[Redwing]

Charley's orps have one nationals I think ... we got our bluebelle and light susex from her Orpingtons might go off lay in winter a bit, being pure breeds, but shouldnt be as bad as other pure breeds

 

"Our Crele Orpington Cockerel won best in show at the National Poultry Show 2009 and our Blacks have won numerous prizes at local shows."

 

Their website is very misleading - they did not win best in show at the National 2009,that award went to a Modern Game Pullet. They MAY have won best in show at the Orpington Club show which is held within the National show, a much smaller show with about 150 entries as opposed to the National itself which has some 4500

[daxigirl]

Having lost my lavender Orp because it turned out he was a chap (5 months later ) I still have a hankering for one as I miss the elephant tramping sound and forest gump style run toward you. I'm thinking of keeping one of my splash babies, there's a little un I've named titch. They are lovely birds, and on the plus side they don't fly, just flap enthusiastically and they're no colin jackson when it comes to fencing. Oh and they look fab after a wash & blowdry.

[Daphne]

Do they do smaller versions more suitable for the go?

 

You can buy bantam orpingtons

[LJ's Chooks]

Having lost my lavender Orp because it turned out he was a chap (5 months later ) I still have a hankering for one as I miss the elephant tramping sound and forest gump style run toward you.

 

I know someone who has lavender's at the moment available if you are after a girl.... I just picked up 4 locally to you... and she still had a lavender and i couldnt take her too. Pm me if you want her details.

Ljx

[karlotta]

Having lost my lavender Orp because it turned out he was a chap (5 months later ) I still have a hankering for one as I miss the elephant tramping sound and forest gump style run toward you.

 

I know someone who has lavender's at the moment available if you are after a girl.... I just picked up 4 locally to you... and she still had a lavender and i couldnt take her too. Pm me if you want her details.

Ljx

 

Would you mind pming the orp breeders details to me too?

[percy049]

Ah yes Potters, thats who I got my girls from last time, I see they also stock the eglu go, so thats rather handy

 

They told me they aksed Omlet if they could stock the classic and the cube, but they would only let her have the go

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I have 2 Blue Orpies & they are most definitely not here for their egg laying abilities ...........at the mo I get one a day, sometimes 2, though when I had 4 Orpies if one went broody they all went on maternity leave in sympathy ...........they take forever in the nestbox and moan & whinge for England.........I wouldn't be without them though, they are lovely girls

 

3 LF Orpies most certainly would NOT fit in a Go though

 

Sha x

[daxigirl]

Don't encourage me. I'll have to move house and get a bigger garden. I'm already hoping to keep 5 of the babies.

[CatsCube]

Yeah the orps are definately a no, as Im not going to have enough room for them. I have just started working on the WIR today. Will get a mix of hybrids. Im going to optimise space as much as pos by having a load of raised platforms for them to roam around on too.

[daxigirl]

Sounds like a plan. They like perchy stuff (good for beak wiping & pooping on). I find my lot like it the higher the better. Maybe you could have just the one Orp?

[joegg]

We adopted an Orpington in February, she was just coming into lay after the winter and has laid about six eggs a week since - cant complain at that. Many breeds are poor layers over winter and weve had Rhode Island Reds that were prone to broodiness, they are all individuals - but few have the wow factor of an Orpington, the one we have also has a very gentle personality.