Are all Orpingtons friendly?

[Esrun]

Are all varieties of Orpingtons friendly and docile? I realize all individuals are different but as a whole? I think the Lavender Orpingtons are so beautiful and we are looking at getting 3 with 3 Buffs.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I'd say odds are good but not guaranteed. Like you said, every chicken is an individual. Hatchery birds are not bred for temperament. If you want to increase your odds of a docile bird, look for a local breeder with English Orpingtons specifically.

 

[Esrun]

I'd say odds are good but not guaranteed. Like you said, every chicken is an individual. Hatchery birds are not bred for temperament. If you want to increase your odds of a docile bird, look for a local breeder with English Orpingtons specifically.

Thanks for this. But can local breeders offer sexed chicks? I really need to avoid roosters.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

As you know Lavender, Buff, Chocolate, etc. is all just color of the one breed and in general that breed is known as "sweet and friendly." All of mine have been/are indeed sweet and friendly. My oldest chicken that lived to be 7 was a big lady Orpington, top lady of the flock, ruled with kindness...

 

[thecatumbrella]

Thanks for this. But can local breeders offer sexed chicks? I really need to avoid roosters.

You'd have to ask. I'm in the same boat as you, looking to get some docile Orpingtons. Have you looked into Bielefelders? Also large, docile, and friendly with the bonus of being auto-sexing to avoid accidental roosters.

 

[nuthatched]

Temperament is up to the individual bird.
Most Orpingtons are over bred to meet demand and lack many Orpington quality.
They're overhyped, imo. And most hatcheries have difficulty offering sexed chicks since they're so fluffy

 

[Esrun]

You'd have to ask. I'm in the same boat as you, looking to get some docile Orpingtons. Have you looked into Bielefelders? Also large, docile, and friendly with the bonus of being auto-sexing to avoid accidental roosters.

No I haven’t. Thanks for the suggestion I will look into it.

 

[thecatumbrella]

They're overhyped, imo.

Ouch!

Curious what your orpington alternative would be?

 

[nuthatched]

Ouch!

Curious what your orpington alternative would be?

Literally anything else outside the 'wanna get chickens' Trio:
'Barred Rocks'
Silkies
Buff/Lavender Orps

All are overbred and have issues because of it.

 

[Sally PB]

I got 3 straight run Buff Orp who ended up being all cockerels, of course. Two were unholy terrors to the pullets. They got culled at 4 months. The remaining one was good with the girls, but not with me. He died, and I'm sorry, but I don't miss him.