Australorps v.s. Buff Orlingtons

[Nodakj]

I have some of each. My buffs are much more inquizative and friendly but they also peck me more often , idk if it is for more attention or they want to eat me ? my australorps are or were my shyest birds. I think they are starting to finally come around a lil now that they are laying age.

 

[Franklinridgefarms]

I’ve not had many Orpingtons, but did have one that was a pet. She didn’t lay the greatest because she was always going broody. I let her hatch some eggs once.
The two Orpingtons I have now are not very impressive one went broody once and hatched and raised some chicks but hasn’t been broody since . Neither current Orpington lays much at all and are not especially friendly but not wild.
I’ve had more Australorps, and they lay considerably better, I haven’t had any of them to go full broody, one tried for 2-3 days and gave up. They have not been especially friendly but are calm and easy going.

 

[EverythingDucks]

I've never owned orpingtons, but my Australorps are mostly quite friendly. They all have their individual personalities though, and I think it can really vairy depending on how often you handle them.
My Easter eggers are also pretty sweet birds, I've had to earn their trust, but they've come around. They lay pretty blue and green eggs too. Ameraucanas are another great option if you want something pure bred (they also lay blue eggs).
Something to keep in mind is that the color of the bird doesn't effect egg production, friendliness, or any other quailties. So if you decide to stick to one breed there are often many colors you can get

 

[Little Chickadee]

Love our Buff Orpingtons! We only have 2 but both are cherished. Both know their names and one will come running if we call her name. They do go broody more than the other breeds but make excellent mothers if you are so inclined to get fertilized eggs .

Only Rhode Islands I have known have been quite mean. Happy to attack other chickens. Didnt belong to me but I wasnt particularly sad when the neighbor decided they would make a great soup. He had enough as well.

 

[drangle]

I had 1 Rhode Island hen and I liked her a lot. Didn’t want to be touched but she would follow you around. My buff orps are the easiest to deal with as they will let you catch them. I wouldn’t say they want to be caught or picked but but they accept it and seem to enjoy getting some pets.

The australorps are nice but won’t let you catch them as easy and don’t really want to be touched.

On the negative side my buff orps are always underfoot and get their feet stepped on frequently because they don’t get out of the way.

 

[Brennan2026]

Are you planning on getting a rooster or just hens?

Just hens. Thanks to all the people who helped me out.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters so if you put your location into your profile we can give better-targeted advice.

I will be getting three.

I absolutely LOVE my Australorps, but I have to qualify that by saying that none of my chickens are cuddle-pets. They follow me all around but don't want to be picked up.

Both Australorps and their parent Orpingtons (Australorps were selected from Orpingtons for egg production and suitability to Australia's climate), are excellent breeds. They're both noted for being laid-back, calm, and gentle. I mostly have Australorps but I did have one Lavender Orpington, and they were all good flock citizens.

RIR's have a reputation for being bossy and dominant, but that could be dependent on the line you have because other people report them as having good temperaments.

If you don't want to get 3 different breeds so you can tell your birds apart easily, you might want to take climate into account.

Orpingtons' thick feathers are very well suited to colder climates while Australorps are noted for heat tolerance (though both ARE widely adaptable).

 

[Brennan2026]

I will be in southern Florida. 'Ppreciate ya.

 

[3KillerBs]

I will be in southern Florida. 'Ppreciate ya.

Heat tolerance will be important for you then.

Here's my article on hot-climate chicken keeping and my article on coop ventilation:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

 

[Brennan2026]

Will australorps be good for Florida? Should I get a color other than black? Are Austra Whites any different than BA's in terms of personality? Those articles were a great help for picking my coop, btw. @3KillerBs thanks