Black orpington or black Astrolorp?

[kacothran]

Is there a way to tell the difference between a black orpington and a black astrolorp? I bought this pullet as a black orpington but she looks exactly like an astrolorp to me. I'd love to know if there is a distinguishing characteristic

 

[ChickenChaser9]

Look for the color on the bottoms of the feet. Pink is for Austrolorp.

 

[donrae]

I'm with you, she looks like an Aussie to me.

When I think of Orpington, I'm looking for that big, rounded, fluffy basketball look. Now, a lot of hatchery birds don't have that. And some of the newer colors didn't "build the barn" quite right either, they went for color first. So, she could probably "be" an Orpington, but really not a very good one. If you just bought her as a backyard bird, call her whatever you want, it's really not going to matter. If you planned on breeding black Orpingtons, you would not use her anyway as she is drastically lacking in basic breed type.

I don't think the skin color is going to help here, both Aussies and Orpingtons have white skin.

 

[kacothran]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm not planning to breed, just curious. She does have pink feet.

 

[Minnowey]

She looks like an Austrolorp to me.

 

[ChickenChaser9]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm not planning to breed, just curious. She does have pink feet.

Now you know she is an Aussie. ^_^ Best Wishes.

 

[ToddQ]

Australorps have a green sheen to their feathers. Not sure about Black Orpington, I don't have any of them.

 

[summerb123]

very pretty Australorp

 

[drumstick diva]

Australorp

 

[Gray Farms]

Australorp