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» Orpingtons
The Orpington is a large bird from the English Class of chickens. The
best known type of Orpington are buff in color but they were original
developed in 1886 as black by William Cook in a village called Orpington.
The black Orpington was bred using black Langshans, Minorcas and black
Rock crosses. Cook also created white and buff colored orpingtons between
1889 - 1895 using buff Cochins, Dorkings and Gold Spangled Dutch fowl.
Orpingtons come mostly in solid colors and the American Poultry Association
recognizes black, white, buff and blue. Other colors and patterns include
laced blue, porcelain, white spangled black, barred, red, buff-laced black,
partridge, speckled, mottled, birchen and white-laced buff.
Orpingtons are heavy dual/general purpose birds that weigh seven to
ten pounds. They lay between 110 to 160 eggs a year and they do not stop
laying in the winter. Eggshells are yellow/brown in color with a size
range of medium to large. They have excellent meat quality. Orpington
can get broody and make very good mothers.
Orpingtons have medium sized single red combs. Wattles and Earlobes
don't tend to get very large. Earlobes are mainly red and can have some
white. Orpingtons are cleaned legged, without beards or crests and have
the standard 4 toes. The skin color is white. They are hardy and their
feathering lets them deal with colder weather them some breeds. Lighter
colors do better then dark ones in heat. They are not very flighty and
they don't have much lift but may still need their wings clipped.
Orpingtons have laid back personalities and are very docile. They are
great foragers and do well in confinement. Orpingtons are very nice looking
birds make great affectionate pets. Due to their timid nature Orpington
chicks tend to be on the bottom of the pecking order when raised with
other breeds.
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