USA APA: Buff, Black, White, BlueSplash in not recognized at this time.Also there are a few other colors of Orpington Projects under way in the USA as of today.
Breed Size
Large Fowl
APA/ABA Class
English
Color
The original breed colours/varieties are black, white, buff, blue and splash
The popular Orpington breed originated from the town of Orpington, Kent, in south-east England, where the original black Orpington was bred by William Cook in 1886. (Mr Cook also created the Orpington duck breed). Mr Cook crossed Minorcas, Langshans and Plymouth Rocks to create a new hybrid breed, from which he selected to breed a black bird, that would also exhibit well, by hiding the dirt and soot of London.
The breed was shown in Madison Square Gardens in 1895 and its popularity soared. Its large size and soft appearance together with its beautiful colours make it very attractive breed and as such its popularity has grown as a show bird rather than a utility breed. Hens are fairly often broody and are good mothers. Although rather heavy, they are able to fly small distances but rarely do so.
The original breed colours/varieties are black, white, buff, blue and splash. Although there are many additional varieties recognised throughout the world, for example the Jubilee Orpington, only the original colours are recognised by the American Standard, the Buff being the most common colour. In the beginning of the twentieth century, Herman Kuhn of Germany developed a Bantam variety of Orpingtons and the Bantam retains the appearance of the LF Orpingtons, but in a smaller size. There is a large variety of colours in the Bantam version, including black, blue laced, white, buff, red, buff black laced, barred, buff Columbian, and birchen.
Orpington hen with chick
Orpington chick
Orpington hen
Orpington juvenile
Orpington rooster
For more about Orpingtons and their breeders's and owners' experiences with them, see our breed discussion here:
My orpington has the softest feathers ever and I love the color of the feathers too, she is big and cuddly. She is VERY hard to catch and hates me and the new chicks I introduced to the flock, though.
I have 3 buff Orpington and they are certainly the most docile birds I have. Bless them. I lost 3 to a fox in one afternoon when they were free ranging and all my hens are now behind 6 foot fences. I also have a few Marans, Welsummers and Jersey Giants. Fourteen overall so not a massive flock.
The only issue with Orpington is their "low clearance"... keep it clean around the coop or they start dragging dingleberries easily... they're kinda furr-bally lol... part of their charm.
Personality wise, borderline annoying .... I have to tippy toe opening the patio door or I get rushed but said furrballs... not joking... tried to work outside today, hard to type with a Buff-O sitting on your laptop for "attention"....
The only issue with Orpington is their "low clearance"... keep it clean around the coop or they start dragging dingleberries easily... they're kinda furr-bally lol... part of their charm.
Personality wise, borderline annoying .... I have to tippy toe opening the patio door or I get rushed but said furrballs... not joking... tried to work outside today, hard to type with a Buff-O sitting on your laptop for "attention"....
I know what you mean. They are really bad about getting under foot when I’m working in the pen. They stop and squat so fast that I have to be careful not to step on them or trip over them.
The only issue with Orpington is their "low clearance"... keep it clean around the coop or they start dragging dingleberries easily... they're kinda furr-bally lol... part of their charm.
Personality wise, borderline annoying .... I have to tippy toe opening the patio door or I get rushed but said furrballs... not joking... tried to work outside today, hard to type with a Buff-O sitting on your laptop for "attention"....
Lol yes @dunnmom... I have to tippy toe daily especially if they’re hungry... but it doesn’t end there... few days ago, I was in the pool, shallow end, enjoying... the “crew” walks by... someone farted and/or a leaf hit the ground... doesn’t matter a nothing got them to disperse and one of the buff though it was a good ideas to fly to my shoulder.... what do you do with a chicken on your shoulder while in the pool.. lol... Buffs... not the smartest but maybe the cutest
I love Orpingtons! I showed Black Orpington bantams in 4-H and they are the calmest chickens ever. My avatar pic is my Black Orpington cockerel, Larry. Best Rooster Ever.
Orpingtons do well in my part of AZ. I allow them to free range in my fenced back yard--which, aside from some fenced in raised bed gardens and fruit trees is mostly rock and dirt. Their buff coloration helps them blend into the ground and keeps them safer from Hawks than other breeds. I agree they are reliable layers and quite friendly--a great bird for beginners.
I have a single RIR hen, almost a year old. I want to add a few friends for her so when our coop and run is finished and she is moved from the garage she won’t be alone. I was thinking of getting one more Red and two Buffs.
I’ve heard they are docile, but will they be too docile for my Red? I thought be having two of each it would balance the personalities. Any thoughts, recommendations will be appreciated. My Red is very sweet, hasn’t shown any agressive behavior towards us or our dogs.
I have 3 buff Orpington and they are certainly the most docile birds I have. Bless them. I lost 3 to a fox in one afternoon when they were free ranging and all my hens are now behind 6 foot fences. I also have a few Marans, Welsummers and Jersey Giants. Fourteen overall so not a massive flock.
Any ideas what might have happened to one of my buff orpingtons? She gets knocked over if the others are crowding round but can't get up be herself. If I stand her up she walks off as if nothing has happened. She is eating well.
I love Buff Orpingtons. I have one BO rooster and a BO hen and three BO mixes. My favorite BO we had was a Roo we used to have but ended up missing one day. He had splade leg syndrome when he was a couple day old chick because his mother stepped on him and caused it. We put a split on both legs for 24 hrs and he was able to walk!!! He was a funny and SWEET SWEET Rooster!!
I love Buff Orpingtons. I have one BO rooster and a BO hen and three BO mixes. My favorite BO we had was a Roo we used to have but ended up missing one day. He had splade leg syndrome when he was a couple day old chick because his mother stepped on him and caused it. We put a split on both legs for 24 hrs and he was able to walk!!! He was a funny and SWEET SWEET Rooster!!
One of mine, kiwi, really loves to be petted! When ever I enter the pen she runs up to me (with the others, of course,) and cheeps "Give me my massage!!" I guess she still remembers when she was a little chick. She loved to be held.
