Crossing questions-how to breed Orpington for a small comb

[modernhomesteader]

We get severe winters here. Thought about breeding some Orpingtons to get a cross that is very docile like the Orp but have very small combs and waddles so they won't freeze.

My ideal traits would be:
very docile and friendly
cold hardy
very small comb and waddles
partridge or other marking for free range camouflage
improved egg laying like New Hampshire Reds

Any ideas?

Thought about going for the docile nature and egg laying first, then the external traits.

Is it true that chickens breed stronger traits from rooster to hen offspring and hen to rooster offspring?

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Where are you in WI. We had a cold winter here and I have some pretty large comb birds and so far everyone is good

I do keep two heat lamps in their coop though.

 

[Katy]

Have you thought about wyandottes? Mine are docile and friendly and they're as fluffy butted as my orps. Their rose combs take the cold pretty good. I wouldn't say their waddles are small, but I really haven't had any issues with them and we get pretty darn cold.

 

[herechickchick]

I agree with Katy, I think Wyandottes would be better for you than Orpingtons.

 

[speckledhen]

One way is to breed Orpingtons with Brahmas. I have and have seen wonderful birds from this cross. They all have pea combs, small wattles, some have a bit of leg feathering and some do not. They are huge birds from two huge breeds. I like the Wyandottes, too.

Here is a link to some photos of grown Blue Orp/Buff Brahma crosses a BYCer has. They were hatched from eggs from my flock:

http://zunibeefarms.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=54&Itemid=81

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I've done two small hatches of wyandotte x orp and so far the chicks have been pretty hardy. The both lots hatched out with temps in the teens and the original set of chicks ran around with temps in the single digits. I can't tell you anything about the grown version as my oldest mixes are only 8 weeks old, but as chicks they are great!
I have pictures on my blog of both hatches if you'd like to see the progress.

I love the wyandottes. They're gorgeous and very good layers. They're also inquisitive, independent birds. I'd totally recommend them.

(I had trouble this winter with frostbite on my buff orp roo's comb. The rosecombed wyandotte had no trouble at all even with the single digit temps here. My coop isn't heated or even insulated that well.)

 

[pipermark]

I agree with the Wyandottes, the only reason I am not agreeing with the Brahmas, is because I do not know what type of layers they are. Most good Wyandottes lay 5-6 large or better eggs a week.

 

[speckledhen]

My Brahmas are as good as the Wyandottes, or were as younger ones. My two are over two years old now and we get 4-5 eggs every week from them. Used to be 5-6.