Gotta show off my prize Showgirls. The pullet is sitting on eggs right now, due to hatch Monday. Her name is Mirage and her mate is Mandalay, yes after the Vegas hotels. 
That’s what I thought too when I was posting... Max for Maxine ~
Pete, pete, pete is too cute and too funny.
Yes, we’re getting eggs. Average 4 a day with just 6 hens.
The bad thing though, is that I’ve only ever caught one girl on her nest and actually saw the egg come out. It was pretty neat I must say.
No complaints and we shouldnt get any complaints because we’re out in the country.
Hubby wants to let them free range for a little bit each day but I told him that we couldnt really do that because the neighbor on the north doesnt have their dogs confined and they’re always coming onto our property to harass my dogs who are in a kennel.........sigh.......
If you do decide to let them range, you will have to fence off your flower beds, veggie garden, and any other area of the yard you don’t want decimated.
An alternative that could work for you might be what is known as a chicken tractor. It is a coop that is designed to contain the chickens as well as giving them access to the ground underneath. The coop is designed to be moved to a fresh patch of ground every day, preventing them from destroying the turf as well as leaving behind the fertilizer they have scratched into your yard.
This would help solve your dog problem as well. Good luck with your “Orpies”, I’ve had them before and they are a great chicken. Good layers, good brooders, and a great meat bird. I’m strictly Barred Rock now however.
I would just watch them for the next few days. The stress of the move & the change in food(including the cabbage)may be to blame.
If they look otherwise healthy & active, I don’t think you should be concerned. If they’re seriously ill, they definitely won’t look like happy chickens.
I’ve never raised Orpingtons, just Barred Rocks, R.I.Reds, & the standard brown-egg hybrid layers. I’ve heard good things about the Orpingtons’ personalities.Friends who raise them say they’re one of the friendliest breeds & I hope that everything works out well for you. Please let us know how it turns out. Good Luck!!!!
Gotta show off my prize Showgirls. The pullet is sitting on eggs right now, due to hatch Monday. Her name is Mirage and her mate is Mandalay, yes after the Vegas hotels.