Im glad I found this thread. I was getting a little bummed out after reading the OT thread. Im trying to get through the 280 some posts. Lots of good info. I raised chickens for about 11 years many years ago and Im kind of taking the Old Timers refresher course. Around page 60 something I ran into a few pages that they were bashing the Buff Orp Breed. They said they ate too much, didn't lay eggs well, and were terrible mothers. They also said they were at the bottom of the pecking order and at the top of their cull list. four and a half weeks ago I recieved 8 buff orps and 8 australorps looking for great dual purpose birds. I researched the breeds and came to the conclusion that these birds would exceed my needs. Australorps are a prooven egg layer with the world record for most eggs in a year with 364 eggs. BO'S are supposed to give me 3 to 4 a week in thier prime. If this is true I made the right decision. Who can make me feel better about my decision?And who cant?.
I have had various breeds over the years and always come back to the Orpington. The Buff is my favorite. It may not lay like a Leghorn or be the mother a Silkie is, but the Orpington is a dual purpose breed. It does lean more on the less productive meat side, but makes a great backyard flock.
The reports of the Australorp's laying ability is a bit exagerated. In one trial/cometation one hen layed 364 eggs. It was done with lighting, feed, maangement etc. and was a production strain. Most will not lay that many, but then, we want friendly backyard birds and not commercial egg machines.
As far as mothers, they are excellent mothers, in spite of what you may have read. Each strain may differ. Hatcher produced birds of any breed tend to be less broody. Years of egg production from non-broody hens tend to remove broodiness from their gene pool. With our exhibition lines, they tend to go broody almost more than a Silkie.
I admit a certain amount of prejudice concerning the Orpington, and Buff in particular. They are gentle, caring birds that will give you ample egg production for a backyard flock.
You also try the other flavors: Black, Blue, Splash and White. The other colors are project colors, but will be similiar to the Standard accepted varieties.
