Chicken Breed Focus - Orpington

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I am actually the proud parent of a SN Buff. Her name is Sweet Pea, she was shipped to the feed store with no eyes and her beak is off centered.

 

[Jandsloch]

I am actually the proud parent of a SN Buff. Her name is Sweet Pea, she was shipped to the feed store with no eyes and her beak is off centered.View attachment 1743295 View attachment 1743296

Sweet pea is lucky to have you! Can’t wait to see more pics as she grows!

 

[danceswithronin]

This is my new and only Orpington, a Silver Lace named Guin. I'm obsessed with their big fluffy body type and silver lace is my favorite feather pattern so I'm looking forward to seeing how she grows. So far she is a docile, almost timid chick. I have a feeling she will be fairly low in the pecking order.

 

[Ecto04]

These are my first chicks and I’m thoroughly enjoying them. They are just 4 weeks old. I have 2 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Rhode Island Reds. These are pictures of my BOs, Jan and Marcia. I was tickled pink tonight. I sat down on a little stool next to the brooder to talk to my ladies (I purchased pullets. I hope they are right!) and both girls flew right up on my lap! My RIRs aren’t nearly as outgoing. Of course, Jan flew into my lap, looked at me and promptly bit my lip. Silly girl. I would never have imagined chicks could have so much personality and character. Marcia is a much richer gold color than Jan but they are both sooo soft. Looking forward to learning more about all my chicks!
Mary Beth

 

[Roo5]

Currently got 3 lavender opringotns and their the friendliest our if 16 chicks.

 

[Ecto04]

i got 1 buff chick. i love her because when ever i reach my hand near her and the other chicks they all try to get away, while she walks right up to me and inspects my hand doing what ever she can do, hopping on it, going under it, and pecking it. i just can't help but say AAAWWW!!!!

That’s what I love about mine too! They are so friendly!

 

[danceswithronin]

Here's six week-old update pics on my lovely Guin. She is by far the nicest (and most beautiful imo) chicken I own, even in her "awkward teenager" phase.

 

[Ecto04]

Here's six week-old update pics on my lovely Guin. She is by far the nicest (and most beautiful imo) chicken I own, even in her "awkward teenager" phase.

View attachment 1762828
View attachment 1762829
View attachment 1762831

She IS beautiful! I’ve never seen one that wasn’t buff. I may have to branch out in the future!

 

[danceswithronin]

She IS beautiful! I’ve never seen one that wasn’t buff. I may have to branch out in the future!

Thank you! I've got a buff, a lavender, and a blue chick coming at the end of May (along with a mystery chick). I will definitely post pics of the new Orps here!

When I saw silver laced English Orpington chicks available locally I almost pinched myself, I never believed I'd be able to land one. Never seen them available in a hatchery and every time I checked with breeders chicks weren't available.

The woman I bought her from was lucky enough to know a breeder - she couldn't afford the adults for sale, but the breeder sold her a batch of hatching eggs that came out well.

 

[Chickengene]

The popular Orpington breed originated from the town of Orpington, Kent, in south-east England, where the original black Orpington was bred by William Cook in 1886. (Mr Cook also created the Orpington duck breed). Mr Cook crossed Minorcas, Langshans and Plymouth Rocks to create a new hybrid breed, from which he selected to breed a black bird, that would also exhibit well, by hiding the dirt and soot of London.
The breed was shown in Madison Square Gardens in 1895 and its popularity soared. Its large size and soft appearance together with its beautiful colours make it very attractive breed and as such its popularity has grown as a show bird rather than a utility breed. Hens are fairly often broody and are good mothers. Although rather heavy, they are able to fly small distances but rarely do so.
The original breed colours/varieties are black, white, buff, blue and splash. Although there are many additional varieties recognised throughout the world, for example the Jubilee Orpington, only the original colours are recognised by the American Standard, the Buff being the most common colour. In the beginning of the twentieth century, Herman Kuhn of Germany developed a Bantam variety of Orpingtons and the Bantam retains the appearance of the LF Orpingtons, but in a smaller size. There is a large variety of colours in the Bantam version, including black, blue laced, white, buff, red, buff black laced, barred, buff Columbian, and birchen.

Details:
Purpose: Dual; Exhibition
Egg laying: 175-200 eggs annually
Weight: Cocks: 7.9-10 lbs; Hens: 5.9-7.9 lbs
Colours/Varieties: Black, Buff, Blue, White, Red, Splash, Jubilee (and more)


Pic by @lauralou


Pic by @allaboutdemchicks


Pic by @cherylcohen


Pic by @Fowl Visions


Pic by @wilds of pa

BYC Breed Reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/orpington

BYC Breed Discussions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/495402/buff-orpington-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/386051/the-imported-english-orpington-thread/0_30
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/426353/the-bantam-orpington-thread/0_30


Do you own Orpingtons? Are you an Orpington breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc![/QUOT