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.
oh, I so understand, who knew that we would get attached to these little balls of fluff. My chicks are only 21 days old, got 16 solver lace Wyandottes and they ALL clamber to be held, can squat down without have the entire flock converge on me. Housework fallen way behind because I spend most my time with the chickens. LOL
Cacleberry Inn
there so calm and a quieter breed in general, i love them for there gentle nature, and great with the children.and not forgetting how gorgeous they are!
Great Review and I agree with pretty much everything you said. Since I started chicken keeping again as an adult, I have always owned Orpington. Until recently, that's about all I owned. When it comes to Pet Chicken, you could never go wrong with Orpington (of course, you can call them Farm Chicken too) . So far, I owned Black, Lavender, Blue, Buff and very recently Chocolate Cuckoo. I've always owned LF, but recently trying out some Bantam (although they look rather big, so not sure if I have Bantam). Anyway, once again, great review !
Why does everyone think Buffies are nice? Mine are evil...There...There...Out to kill me! ( Muttered ) ThasNazichickeshelpjoshthereouttogetmeaaathestropelights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My 2 buff orpingtons are total sweethearts, Always following you around, constantly asking you to pick them up, clucking to get your attention if your doing something "interesting" (like walking past their pen xD).
Hello, just wanted to comment that I too have 2 buff O. also and they are my tamest, sweetest chicks that I have. They love to come to me and get attention. If I sit, they jump up on my lap or arm. Just love them! They are my favorites!
i just got a buff today and I will get another one tomorrow she is chirping a lot I thinks she is
missing all the other chicks she was with This ones name is Mae West
I also love my girls.I have 3 roosters that are 12 weeks old and are now crowing.I think they are so cute my husband will open the window every morning so i could here them.We are new at raising chicks.We have 13 girls and 3 roosters.Raised them from babies.Now i am looking forward to getting eggs.I can not wait to see my first egg.My chicks free range and seem to love it they get so excited when they are turned out.They also have a very big pen closed in so preditores can not get them.They have plenty of room to run around.
correction!!! i take the "bad egg laying" but back!, the girl that isnt a mother has layed every day this week!, the one that is a mother is still with the chicks and they are 8 weeks old....
For a while now I have been looking for the perfect chicken for our backyard which is in the city, would you say these girls are pretty quiet? And do you get an egg basically everyday?
our buff is injured right now, (go to thread HELP!!!!! PULLET LIMPING ON RIGHT LEG!!!!!!! if you have any advice) but boy is she adorable! I always say that her butt fluff makes her look like she's wearing bloomers!!!!!!!!!
