[ycholmes]

I bought another 2 hens in early July (and told they were 17 weeks old).  They are two beautiful Orpingtons - 1 Buff and 1 Blue.  So far no eggs.  I reckon their age must be now 26 or 27 weeks old.  Surely they should have started laying by now.  My 3 hybrids that we have had for over a year started laying at about 20 weeks.  The Buffs comb is looking more red than the Blue so I am assuming she will lay first.  Mind you no sign of them bobbing like the others did.  
Is this normal for Orpingtons?  Do they lay later?  Any advice gratefully received.
Sue

[GrannieAnnie]

I've got a buff orpy now, but she is still only young, but some of my pure breeds didn't start to lay until they were 32 and 33 weeks!

[Casey76]

Have you got a utility strain of Orp?  The floofier show variety are notoriously poor layers.

Be aware that with the nights drawing in, they may not start laying until the Spring, when the nights start to get lighter again.

Even with good egg layers, you should really only expect 3-4 eggs a week, which are medium (55-60g) in size. (Of course there are always exceptions...)

[ycholmes]

Thanks for the information.  I have no idea if they are utility or not - just that they are really beautiful.  At least I know not to expect much from them until Spring.  To be honest I don't care if they don't lay, I just love them anyway.

[Aunt Sally]

Have you posted a picture of them for us to see ycholmes ?

It is one of our unwritten laws 

[ycholmes]

I will try Aunt Sally, but not had much luck in the past. 

[Aunt Sally]

D'oh 

Have you read our instructions ?

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=19476.msg100026#msg100026

[ycholmes]

My pictures appear to be too large to post and I don't know how to make them smaller.  Any ideas?  

[Aunt Sally]

It should say in that link that I gave you how to make them smaller.

Photobucket is a good way to go otherwise.

[ycholmes]

I think at last I may have cracked it (sorry for the pun)!!  Molly is the Blue and Tilly is the Buff, aren't they gorgeous?

[Aunt Sally]

I've always loved buff orps but having seen Molly ......    

[joyfull]

lovely girls 

[Bantymad]

I would love a couple of banty orps...maybe next year! They are just loverly.

[GrannieAnnie]

Oooh yes, they are lovely girls!

[trinamc]

Your girls are lovely - I hatched 7 buffs six weeks ago they are like balls of feathers running around will try to add some pics later