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 don't have a whole lot of experience with Orpingtons, as mine are 12 weeks old. What I have seen with mine is that they are not at all aggressive. They don't even peck at each other. All they do to assert themselves is ruffle their necks and stare at each other. They were friendly with me until I had to handle them. Now, they just come close to snatch a treat out of my hands. When I have to hold them, they don't peck me or try to fly away. They just "voice their complaints" and stay put. I have seen other breeds at friends' coops, and so far my Orpingtons are the least skittish. One of my friends has a buff Orpington in her coop. The others beat her up senseless. Also, mine are good with children and befriended my dog. I don't know what will happen when they mature, but so far I am very happy with this breed.
LOVED your review. I fell in love with the Orpington five years ago when I started hoping to own chickens one day. It was their appearance that made me want them...but then I talked to friends and read up on the breed and I knew I had to have them. Well, five years later...we are 2 weeks into owning our brood. We have 5 Buffs and 2 Blacks (and a couple Easter Eggers) and we absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE or Orps! When they see my daughter (who spends an insane amount of time in their run with them), they come running to her. Two of them hop in her lap and squabble over her attention. It's the most adorable thing to watch. Such sweet ladies<3 Thanks for an amazing write up and the video. So much fun to watch other Orps and I can't wait until ours are big fluffy butts <3
my buff is definitely my closest. She follows me all over the yard! I'm a first timer and my chicks are about two months old. I have 1 orp 1 br 1 white silkie and 1 sussex
We have a flock of 10 hens, 1 of which is a BO. She is my favorite. So sweet and comes when you call her name; Biskit! I have watched the video you mentioned, probably 20 plus times and show it to anyone that will watch it with me. I laugh out loud while watching it!
Thanks! I just discovered today one of my 12 week olds is a B.O. roo. He doesn't crow very loud, in fact it's rather pleasant. Funny thing, though, he was sitting in a nesting box this morning.
Aww I love Buffs <3 They are my favourite breed but I couldn't get one as there were none in my area. However a month after we got our girls Buffs were for sale where we got our chickens from -_- But I plan to get a Buff in my next batch of chickens <3
You are quite right! Unfortunately, the buff color is the most popular choice of the breed and acquiring any other color is quite hard to come by. Hence, the common term "BUFFY" is highly frequented. Its just chicken talk. You will be very happy with your buffy's and yes, they are good egg layers and also can be very good brood mothers.
