Richard Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 (edited) Hi I couldn't wait for the new cube and went to collect my new Orpingtons this afternoon; Georgie is lonely now Doris has gone (well, if she isn't she should be) and the Eglu seems very empty. They are only 7 weeks old but they are lovely. They seem pretty feisty - well, one is. I've put them in the old Eglu run, inside the main run so that Georgie can get used to them without actually being with them. The breeder assured me that they have been out with other birds and will be fine with Georgie - but I'm going to stay up all night to make sure! Edited June 24, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Richard they are soooo lovely I'm very (I love orpingtons) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Nesbitt Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 They look fab. I'm jealous too - I always said I wanted Orpingtons but when I got to the breeder there were just too many gorgeous breeds to choose from!!! Can see why most people end up with more..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 They are beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 24, 2007 Author Share Posted June 24, 2007 I'm just hoping that Georgie thinks they are fab too! I've been nipping out every 15 minutes to see if they are OK. I'm planning on putting them into the Eglu with her this evening when she's gone to bed. Then I will get up at around 4 tomorrow morning just to keep an eye on them when they get up. Luckily I'm 'working from home' tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I hope they become friends quickly. They are just too cute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 awww, where are they from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 24, 2007 Author Share Posted June 24, 2007 Colkirk, just outside Fakenham (Norfolk). The lady there breeds Orpingtons and Serama Bantams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 aww theyre lovely Richard Don't encourage me I have too many eggs in the bator as it is. And shes just down the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Oh they're gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I love the way their feet look too big for them!!! They are lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Lovely girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan H Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I think Orpingtons look lovely - good luck and please post more pictures as the hens develop... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Just beautiful - are they the big Orpingtons or bantams? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 (edited) They are big Orpingtons, not bantams. Last night was not encouraging! I waited until Georgina was sleepy in the Eglu and introduced them. Ructions! Georgie was very nasty and the splash girls were well and truly pecked. In the end I gave up and moved them into my old dog transit box in the workshop for the night. Time for plan B! Today I will fix up the box and the Eglu run inside the big run so that they can get a bit older before I reintroduce them to Georgie again. Hopefully with time together in the run, but separated, they will be more used to each other by the time they have to sort out the pecking order. I'm going to split the big run as well. That way, when the cube comes at the end of July, I can ring the changes and keep chickens/hens separate until they can sort themselves out with the minimum fuss. I know they've got to do it, and I have to accept it, but at the moment they seem so small ... Hopefully, by the time I've got a few more hens, I'll be more used to the process and a bit more experienced! Edited June 25, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourfinches Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 They look really cute. Morag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 26, 2007 Author Share Posted June 26, 2007 (edited) Well, I moved them into hastily put together temporary accomodation so that they can get a bit bigger and more confident before I have another go introducing them to Georgina. I am well pleased that it all hung together last night as we had dreadful storms, rain and wind (I did put an extra cover over it, held down with tent pegs, which isn't in the pictures). This morning the girls were out and about and very lively so I was very happy. Mind you, we had nothing compared to Sheffied and north Lincolnshire as I understand - anyone from up there with problems? The Orpingtons have been named Trinny and Susannah as there is one, darker, thinner one who stands up tall, and one, lighter, somewhat shorter one with, how do I put it, a slightly fuller figure? Temporary accomodation shown below (roll on arrival of the cube - only 4 weeks now). Edited June 26, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 Ahhh they are lovely Richard . Congratulations. Hope the pecking order problems are soon a thing of the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UkButton Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I have a Sussex and a Barnevelder. do you think I'll be able to to fit an Orpington in with them as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted June 26, 2007 Share Posted June 26, 2007 I would think it may be wise to let them get bigger (pol) as 7 weeks is young and orps are very docile birds. Not sure if this helps you but hope so BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted June 27, 2007 Author Share Posted June 27, 2007 Thanks Buffy, that's useful to hear. It's the decision I had come to - they are so small and nervy that I reckoned another month before I try again. I am going to partition the big run so that they can run loose next door to Georgie before I put them together again. Its all good practice for me as I'm intending to get another 6 before the end of August - so if I get them all well integrated by the end I'll be an eggspert! thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 If the pecking is a problem later on then I can say the bumper bit on Charlie now has her happy and living with 2 pekins safely, they were snuggled up in a heap last night BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 I'd back what Buffie says about them being too young to mix with adult birds. They need to be 5-6 months old before they have the confidence to stand up for themselves, so it's great that you've rigged up some temporary accommodation for them. They are lovely - and well worth all the effort I'm sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 They are lovely little girls Richard, I just love that gawky stage As Buff and Jools have said, make sure that the others can freerange around their run, feed treats along the mesh so that they associate treats with each other's company and that will help to minimise the trouble when you integrate them. I am so jealous, I love orps. Now we will definitely have to take up your offer of a visit when we're next up in Norfolk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted June 27, 2007 Share Posted June 27, 2007 My introductions have all been very gradual and it seems to be working so far (usually just a quick feather pull to make a point ). The 17 week olds have been sleeping with the big girls for 3 weeks now, although had been out in the garden with them from 12 weeks. I have just started letting the 13 week olds out with the big girls and they know to keep their distance, although the 2 Buff Orps are bigger than them but very docile. The Orpingtons are so big at 13 weeks I can't imagine them growing any more. I'm only keeping 1 though, the other is going next week . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
