What an amazing gift you’ve been given!! So unique and wise. Thank you for sharing your expertise. We’re looking to get some Bresse eggs for our broody to hatch out. The Orpingtons we have are slow growing, big boned birds that lay late. We’d like a better meat, flavour and layer. This gives us some good starters!
You answered some of my questions here, thanks. Another is, how old are they when they start to crow and how old when the vigor kicks in? Excellent video as always 👍
It varies by quite a bit. Crowing can start before they're even out of the brooder. Tornado was a late bloomer, at about 18 weeks. His hormones kicked in much stronger after 22 weeks. Usually our boy batches will get it's first crower at about 14 weeks and that bird usually ends up as the leader bird for the group.
What are your thoughts on crooked toes? I see your male has a bit of that going on. My dad tried out this breed for a few years and experienced a lot of foot/leg issues. Absolutely wonderful breed, just wondering what causes that? Thanks.
It breeds out easy enough, so I organize pens by table vs trait correction. Tornado is what I would call a utility bird. Growth rate and vigor, but no blue ribbons.
He wakes up ready to go, and if the hens are still on the roost when I let him out to switch pens... he'll go for my boot. Might need to give him a 3rd pen... 🤣
Nice organization - easy no drama flow. Tornado makes it that much easier. Great representation of an ideal rooster.
Great video!
What an amazing gift you’ve been given!! So unique and wise. Thank you for sharing your expertise. We’re looking to get some Bresse eggs for our broody to hatch out. The Orpingtons we have are slow growing, big boned birds that lay late. We’d like a better meat, flavour and layer. This gives us some good starters!
Can't wait for tornado's first chicks to hatch.
I started collecting eggs... anxiously waiting to see how it goes and what he breeds forward. Especially from the older hens.
Looking at couple boys.. rewatching your videos. Have 15 boys and I narrowed it down to 2. Long backs but very tall.
You answered some of my questions here, thanks.
Another is, how old are they when they start to crow and how old when the vigor kicks in?
Excellent video as always 👍
It varies by quite a bit. Crowing can start before they're even out of the brooder. Tornado was a late bloomer, at about 18 weeks. His hormones kicked in much stronger after 22 weeks. Usually our boy batches will get it's first crower at about 14 weeks and that bird usually ends up as the leader bird for the group.
What are your thoughts on crooked toes? I see your male has a bit of that going on. My dad tried out this breed for a few years and experienced a lot of foot/leg issues. Absolutely wonderful breed, just wondering what causes that? Thanks.
It breeds out easy enough, so I organize pens by table vs trait correction. Tornado is what I would call a utility bird. Growth rate and vigor, but no blue ribbons.
Thanks for responding.
Tornado is the best
He wakes up ready to go, and if the hens are still on the roost when I let him out to switch pens... he'll go for my boot. Might need to give him a 3rd pen... 🤣
first!!!!
Bird brain 🧠!! Lol.