Are Buff Orpingtons the Best Dual Purpose Chicken?

[ChickensXOXO]

 

[taylor2]

Welcome, I have both buff ops and rirs in my coop. The buffs lay jusy as well as the reds and they ate much less aggressive!

 

[Beekissed]

Nope....actually they are the worst DP birds I've ever had in any and all of my flocks. Yes, they are docile...too docile. The only hens who squat and give it up hundreds of times a day until their backs are raw. I don't like exposed and raw skin on any of my chickens as it isn't good for their health.

They also ate more and laid less than the other breeds I've kept. They had more reproductive problems due to the extra fat they stored around their vents due to the overeating.

I also don't like birds who can't boot and scoot when the roo gives his warning calls...all my other heavy breed gals can pick up their skirts and RUN when this happens. The BOs? They lumber as fast as their heavy behinds will go but just aren't good free range DPs for this very reason....first at the feeder, last to the nest, first to get picked off by predators if they weren't well protected by my dogs.

I culled them from my good DP, free ranging flock.

 

[kimmybow]

I love my Buffs! Welcome to the group!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So happy you are joining in on the fun.

 

[NonnasBabies]

&

from Louisiana! They are good dual purpose birds!!