Colored Orpingtons

[Sparkalator]

I have heard that Buff Orpingtons are very friendly and they have great mothering skills, I was wondering if the same was true for the other colors. Is there any difference with the others like B/B/S or Lavender colored birds? Also how heat hardy are they?

 

[CloggingChicken]

Our Blues don't go broody as often as the Buffs. The buff hens are somewhat more approachable than the blue hens, not that they are flighty. They just don't run over and fight to get on your lap. I live in the mountains so I don't have to deal with the heat for as long as others. I can tell you that each variety is cold tolerant and lay through the winter.

Bill

 

[Sparkalator]

Thanks Bill, that is what I thought.

 

[3dogs]

I had buffs in a cold climate, and now BBS in a hot one. My current flock hatched at the end of June last year so were young during the summer heat (ahem - a dry heat...). They and I wilted above 90*, but the intense heat was usually gone after dark. Even so, I put ice in their water and froze plastic jugs of water for them to sit on or lean against, especially in the late afternoon. I also set up a fan in the coop to blow the hot air around. I will use those tactics this summer and am seriously thinking of setting up a mister outside to help cool them.

One of my hens is a lap chicken, and hops onto my lap almost every time I sit down in their pen. Another hadn't been laying eggs for more than a couple of weeks before she went broody! She is the proud momma of one chick and dotes on it.

Orpingtons are the only breed of chickens I have ever had, and I love the breed!

 

[Sparkalator]

Thanks 3dogs for the advice. We have the heat here in Florida, but it definitely isn't a dry heat.

 

[hinkjc]

I have buff, black, white and lavender orps that all have broodies in their flocks. I find the blacks do the worst in the heat and lost one to heat stroke last year. All of the others tolerated it well.

 

[Sparkalator]

Thanks hinkjc, that makes since that the blacks would have the most issues with the heat. I checked out your website, that's some beautiful birds you have there.