*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm starting a flock of 6 and I'm considering what breed(s) to start with.  I might have a mix of a few different breeds, but I need help choosing them.  Will buff orpingtons get picked on by other chickens/breeds?

Buff Orpingtons are good all around birds, being neither aggressive or meek. They are gentle and curious. My top hens are 9 years old buff Orpingtons, they are never seen pecking other birds. The rest fall into the pecking order without being too demonstrative about their position.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm starting a flock of 6 and I'm considering what breed(s) to start with. I might have a mix of a few different breeds, but I need help choosing them. Will buff orpingtons get picked on by other chickens/breeds?

That's a hard one to answer

Buff Orpingtons are known for their gentle, calm, friendly nature. Sometimes they can be picked on - just like any other breed. My 2 do fairly well in a mixed flock of Barred Rocks and Silver Laced Wyandottes. The Rocks can be a bit pushy at times, but my BO girls land somewhere in the middle of an ever so slightly changing pecking order.

Putting the right breeds together plays a role in how chickens interact with one another, but other factors like having enough coop space (4sq ft/bird min.) and run space (10 sq ft/bird min.) IMHO makes a bigger impact on how well they "play together".

What breeds are you considering?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Definitely room is a huge factor, as I see no real aggression, as my shed is quite large and open always.

 

[Tylexie]

What breeds are you considering?

Right now I'm considering barred rocks, black sex links, welsummers, australorps, red star, RIR, new hampshires, white plymouth rock, delaware, white leghorn and speckled sussex. It's a pretty long list, which is why I need help narrowing it down .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's best to consider what you are wanting out of your birds. Egg or meat production, pets, good foragers, gentle, for looking at, things like that to narrow down your choices. Some breeds are better than others based on your wants and needs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Quote: I agree with @oldhenlikesdogs considering your goals is a very good idea.

For instance, mine are for eggs and enjoyment - I definitely wanted BO's, then built my list from there. I selected BR and SLW to go with them - they all get along pretty well. Good egg layers and fairly docile breeds. This year I'm getting chicks so have chosen White Plymouth Rocks (good layers/docile), Australorps (good layer/fairly calm/docile) and New Hampshire Reds (good layers/fair personality). The NHR I was hesitant about their personality, but I like the way they look. I also have a mature rooster to handle squabbles and my Rocks rule pretty well, so I think I will be ok with them. If not I will re-home. Space is always a concern, so expanded run space to over 400sq.ft - this should be sufficient for 14 large fowl.

There's no perfect combination - go with what you like the looks of - most of the breeds you are looking at are considered fairly docile.

 

[Mak24456]

Do you guys have more heavy BOs or are they sometimes on the lighter side compared to other breeds? Mine is the lightest of the 3 chickens we have, to a point where she might almost be thin. I always thought orpingtons were a heavy breed. She eats well and lays regularly, so I'm thinking maybe just genetics? She did come from a hatchery.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My hatchery birds are all over the place. My older ones are definitely heavier, they are 9. Some are more medium size. They do take about 2 years to fully mature, especially the roosters. Size is a genetic trait which I don't know if any hatchery selects for.

 

[Mak24456]

That makes me feel better! I worried about her a lot because she is so thin.

 

[collie1470]

That makes me feel better! I worried about her a lot because she is so thin.

One of my girls is pretty thin at a year old....and she's an absolute pig when it comes to food. She's probably the most energetic of our birds, too. I blame the hatchery lol.