buff orpington pullet
Are you looking for a good layer, good mother, and docile chicken breed? Then look so further then the orpington! Let's dive deeper into what makes this breed of chicken so wonderful.
Orgin:
Orpington chickens are a British breed of chicken. They were first bred by William Cook in the late 19th century. They were originally bred to be dual purpose birds, for egg production and meat, but quickly become popular show birds as well. Orpingtons have white skin, white shanks, red earlobes, single combs, and loose feathers.
Egg production:
Orpingtons are good egg producers. You can usually expect 4-5 eggs per week from your hen. Of course, this can vary among individual hens.
Temperament:
Orpingtons are very docile and sweet birds. They are very commonly "lap birds" and love to be around their owners. Even the roosters are known to be less likely to become aggressive. Once again, this can vary among individuals.
Broodiness:
Orpington hens are known to go broody and be good mothers. Their large fluffy bodies allow them to have a decent size brood and their docile nature makes then excellent mothers!
Variations:
Orpingtons come in a wide variety of colors, some recognized and some not. The recognized colors include: blue, black, buff, and white. Some unrecognized colors include: chocolate, wheaten, splash, and Isabel. With a wide variety of colors to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect color for you!
Heat/cold hardiness:
Orpingtons are both heat and cold hardy, although they do better in cooler environments. Their fluffy feathers keep them warm in cool weather but they csn tolerate warmer weather too, just be sure to have plenty of shade and fresh water for them.
Summary:
As you can see, Orpingtons are a wonderful, dual purpose, docile bird that is perfect for your backyard flock! I hope I was able to help you decide what breed your next addition to the flock will be!
