Orloff Chicken Facts: Lifespan and Care Guide

Breeders named this chicken after Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, a Russian count. He was the one who promoted the breed and spread it throughout the world. Its numbers are decreasing today. This bird is listed on The Livestock Conservatories’ list of critically endangered species. Continue reading to find out more about this rare bird to determine if it is a good match for your farm.

Orloff Chickens: Quick Facts

Species Name:	Gallus gallus domesticus
Family:	Phasianidae
Care Level	Easy to Use
Temperature:	All Climates
Temperament:	Calm, friendly, hardy
Color Form:	Red, white and spangled
Lifespan:	8-10 Years
Size:	6-9 pounds
Diet:	Chicken feed
Minimum Cage Size:	4′ W. x 4’ L. x 4’ H

Orloff Chicken Overview

Orloff chickens were first found in Persia and then spread to Europe and Asia in the 17th century. Germany refined the breed in the 1920s and created a smaller Bantam variety.

Orloff chickens are extremely hardy and can withstand temperatures that would be fatal to other breeds. Its gamey appearance, however, caused it to be overshadowed by more attractive birds. Its the large size and low egg production of around 100 eggs per year means that most owners use this bird for meat.

Orloff chickens cost how much?

Depending on where you live, and how many chicks you purchase at one time, you can expect to spend between $5 and 12 per chick. Buying large lots of 50 chicks or more is often cheaper than buying a single chicken. Due to their rarity, it may be difficult to locate a breeder.

Temperament & Typical Behavior

Orloff chickens can be calm and friendly. This breed is good at handling confinement but also enjoys free range. It is quiet and does not get aggressive toward other chickens or humans. It is not broody, and it lays eggs in cold weather long after other breeds that are more productive have stopped.

Appearance and Varieties

Orloffs are large, gamey bird that has a lot of feathers to protect themselves from extremely cold temperatures. The Orloff has small earlobes and a walnut-shaped comb. This comb is more resistant to frostbite than breeds with dangly long combs. It’s also another reason why this bird can handle low temperatures.

Orloffs are large, plump chickens that can weigh up to nine pounds. Owners usually keep them for their meat. It has yellow feet and legs, and yellow-skinned skin. Feathers are usually red, white, or spangled.

Orloff Chicken Care

Habitat, cage conditions, and setup

Orloff chickens will live happily in a chicken house. A chicken coop built by a commercial company is recommended for its large size.

You can let your Orloff chicken roam freely in a fenced area. As long as the fence is not too large, any standard fence will do. If you live near hawks or other birds of prey, be careful. They may attack your chicken. You will also need to be careful if you live in an area with birds of prey like the hawk that could come down and attack your chicken.

Orloff chickens get along with other pets?

Orloff chickens are very friendly to humans and other animals. Even when pressed it will not become aggressive and prefers to hide in its coop. Orloff chickens are too big for house cats, and some hunting dogs will chase them. You will have to separate the two. Orloff chickens are not able to fly away from a dog and have no defense.

Orloff chickens are fed a variety of foods.

Once your chicken reaches adulthood, it will consume a lot of chicken feed. You will have to feed your chick Chick Starter before that. This will boost its immune system and provide other nutrients, allowing it to grow faster and healthier. Your Orloff chicken will need a calcium-based supplement to boost their immune system and provide them with energy.

You can allow your Orloff to wander freely and it will pick up seeds from many different plants. This will lead to a healthier and more nutritious chicken.

Keep Your Orloff healthy

Orloff chickens should be easy to maintain. The biggest problem is mites and lice, which are hard to remove and can spread from one chicken to another. You can eliminate the problem by using commercial products, which you add to their dust bath.

Worms are also a concern, as they can cause internal organ damage. Deworming your flock regularly can reduce the risk of infection. You may notice signs like excessive sneezing or a lack of appetite that indicate a possible problem. It is important to learn your chicken’s behaviors to be able to spot problems early.

Breeding

Orloff chickens are in short supply, so many experts recommend breeding them. By starting a breeding program, you can help to bring back Orloff chickens. You may find it hard to find quality stock due to the lack of numbers and preferences. If you are familiar with genetics, breeding birds like these can be a lucrative business.

Orloff chickens are suitable for you?

Orloff chickens are a wonderful addition to any poultry farm, despite their appearance. The breed is friendly enough to make a good backyard pet. Its large size also means that it will produce plenty of meat. This breed does not lay many eggs but will continue to do so in cold weather, even when other chickens stop. You don’t have to worry about the temperature of your coop, as it can handle extreme cold. You can earn a good income by breeding these birds and helping to save endangered species.

You will have learned a lot about this chicken that is endangered. Please share this guide on Orloff chickens with your friends on Facebook or Twitter if we’ve convinced you to try one of these birds on your property.