Are Buff Orpingtons the Best Dual Purpose Chicken?

[StevenSRitchie]

I have had Rhode Island Reds (Aggressive), Leghorns (Flighty), Bantams (Tiny), and a few other breeds but when I bought Buff Orpingtons I was amazed at how calm they were. The roosters had no longs spurrs on their legs and they were much more docile than the Reds. We got rid of our Rhode Island Reds because the roosters kept attacking everyone and they actually hurt us with their sharpe spurs on their legs. My four year old son was repeatedly attacked and even injured so I called a hatchery and asked if there was a calmer breed of chicken that was a good dual purpose bird. The McMurray hatchery staff immediately said that the Buff Orpingtons would be what I'm looking for. Sure enough they were right. The Reds and Leghorns always slowed down on their egg production (and even stopped laying all together during the coldest weather) but these Orpingtons continued to lay all winter long. The Orpington meat tasted much better than the Reds (when killed at four or five months) and the Orpingtons were much more friendly. They would jump on my lap while I was sitting down in the yard and even tolerated some petting. The Orpingtons have more meat than Reds and lay much better all year long. I also like the fact that they go broody because I like to let my chickens breed, set on eggs, and raise their young naturally. The Buff's are also excellent mothers. IS THERE A BETTER BREED OF CHICKEN OTHER THAN BUFF ORPINGTONS?

 

[TigerLilly]

Although I've yet to cook any of my chickens (gotta learn how to process first), I love my BO's. They were the 2nd breed I bought, but I love them dearly. I only have 3 hens, 4 pullets & 1 roo (in addition to EE's & BR's)...unfortunately NONE of my 3 hens have gone broody in the past year--approx ages are 2 yrs & 1 yr (2). I'm going to have to start a thread on that! I'm wanting to raise my own chicks with the hens doing all the work...

 

[kyeschicks]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[greymane]

from the Finger Lakes of New York! We are happy to have you with us. Thank you so much for the great info on Buffs!

 

[Symphony]

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[hennyannie]

and no I don't think anythings better than a good Buff Orp. (only color I have owned)
I do love my barred rocks as well.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

I think Plymouth rocks are better

 

[Illia]

To answer your question - Yes, there's better. No, BO's aren't the best.

The big thing here to consider is that the Rhode Island Reds you got were hatchery birds, which because they and also Buff Orpingtons from hatcheries were bred SOLELY for egg production, temperament is pushed aside, and thus, the RIR's get aggressive, and actually, if you get show quality or heritage bred Buff Orpingtons, they're even better! They get much, much bigger for one.


But, there's loads of other good dual purpose breeds out there, you just gotta consider what your climate and preferences are, but remember one thing - If you go for show quality or heritage-lines, you're going to get bigger and meatier birds, and in some breeds, much more friendly birds than if you went to a hatchery.

 

[maybejoey]