Post by canieldonrad on May 29, 2013 16:22:27 GMT -5
My name is Daniel Conrad, I have decided to get into Orloffs as a side breeding project. My main emphasis on a breed I kept and exhibited with my father years ago, Buckeyes.
We exited the hobby about 7 years ago and plan to return. We are in the process of brooding up our Buckeyes and our Guinea Keets as a new coop is being constructed this weekend. I knew I wanted something on the side as I don't think raising one breed is ever enough for an exhibitionist. Especially with all the of the conflict that is currently present in the Buckeye community(its silly, uncalled for, and frankly I'd rather use the Orloff as an escape).
I had looked into several breeds as my side: Delawares, Buttercups, White Faced Black Spanish were among the top. But after careful consideration I chose the Orloff. I had only ever seen them at the Ohio National shows in Columbus, and half the time they were only in the sale section. I had gotten wind of their APA removal recently, and decided I would do my best to see about raising them. Originally I wasn't too keen on breeding Orloffs as Spangled is a color pattern I have encountered in the past, and would rather not bother with again in the near future. It has too many variables and can be tricky to breed. So I expanded my search, and thanks to the internet and Erhard Weihs' willingness to promote the Orloff I discovered that a Red Variety does exist within the states. He calls them Mahogany, but the standard(and Americans in general) refer to the color as Red. But whatever the title, I believe it to be a variety I can work with. Having had Buckeyes in the past and present the color is not new to me. It is something I know how to cull for. So once I get my type down I should have a much easier time with these birds than I would have with Spangled.
I have already paid Erhard for 2 dozen hatching eggs and plan to receive them sometime mid June to set in a friend's incubator(as we do not yet have a cabinet set up). Once they hatch we have an 8x8 brooder(retired breeding pen) set up for their arrival. I have been told, but not sure how accurate this may be, that Spangled Orloffs have tendency to develop eye infections. But I doubt this is something seen in Mahogany/Red. There really aren't many breeders with them, let alone enough to notice generalized problems. My intentions are to set up Spiral Breedings for these birds. I only intend to keep 3-5 Trios once I am set up. However, this breeding project may expand with time. I would greatly appreciate contact information from any other breeders of the Mahogany/Red variety. I am aware that Erhard has sold birds to local breeders in the WA state area, I am located in the Northern Area of Kentucky(Florence/Covington/Cincinnati, OH). I have found online a breeder in the Dayton, OH area and sent them a message(email) to see if they have birds from other sources.
We exited the hobby about 7 years ago and plan to return. We are in the process of brooding up our Buckeyes and our Guinea Keets as a new coop is being constructed this weekend. I knew I wanted something on the side as I don't think raising one breed is ever enough for an exhibitionist. Especially with all the of the conflict that is currently present in the Buckeye community(its silly, uncalled for, and frankly I'd rather use the Orloff as an escape).
I had looked into several breeds as my side: Delawares, Buttercups, White Faced Black Spanish were among the top. But after careful consideration I chose the Orloff. I had only ever seen them at the Ohio National shows in Columbus, and half the time they were only in the sale section. I had gotten wind of their APA removal recently, and decided I would do my best to see about raising them. Originally I wasn't too keen on breeding Orloffs as Spangled is a color pattern I have encountered in the past, and would rather not bother with again in the near future. It has too many variables and can be tricky to breed. So I expanded my search, and thanks to the internet and Erhard Weihs' willingness to promote the Orloff I discovered that a Red Variety does exist within the states. He calls them Mahogany, but the standard(and Americans in general) refer to the color as Red. But whatever the title, I believe it to be a variety I can work with. Having had Buckeyes in the past and present the color is not new to me. It is something I know how to cull for. So once I get my type down I should have a much easier time with these birds than I would have with Spangled.
I have already paid Erhard for 2 dozen hatching eggs and plan to receive them sometime mid June to set in a friend's incubator(as we do not yet have a cabinet set up). Once they hatch we have an 8x8 brooder(retired breeding pen) set up for their arrival. I have been told, but not sure how accurate this may be, that Spangled Orloffs have tendency to develop eye infections. But I doubt this is something seen in Mahogany/Red. There really aren't many breeders with them, let alone enough to notice generalized problems. My intentions are to set up Spiral Breedings for these birds. I only intend to keep 3-5 Trios once I am set up. However, this breeding project may expand with time. I would greatly appreciate contact information from any other breeders of the Mahogany/Red variety. I am aware that Erhard has sold birds to local breeders in the WA state area, I am located in the Northern Area of Kentucky(Florence/Covington/Cincinnati, OH). I have found online a breeder in the Dayton, OH area and sent them a message(email) to see if they have birds from other sources.