How well do Orpingtons lay?

[PineBurrowPeeps]

I am trying to stay with no more than 2 breeds of chickens and from the get go when I was still in the research stage of chickens I fell in love with Buff Orps.
I bought some from a hatchery and I now have 3 girls who are 1.5 years old. Out of the 3 girls I do get at least 2 egg daily. But they are getting larger and larger in size which I have heard happens as they come to their end of their productive days.
How long can I expect an average Orp hen to lay? I am considering buying some nice quality hatching eggs from someone here on BYC but wanted to do some research first.

 

[jvls1942]

I have BO's.. I give them 3 seasons.. all in all they are very good layers... the eggs are not the largest, but they are a good size..

the hens are exellent broodies. I have a half dozen that are over 4 years old. I keep them around just to have a broodie when I need one.

I incubate hundreds of eggs in 3 sportsman bators, and I like to finish off the goose eggs under the broodies.. I get a much better live hatch rate this way..

I hatch my own replacement layers and I select the nicest color and sized eggs for this purpose..

my chickens lay all year long.. even during our minus 29F winters

 

[Schultz]

We have 2 year olds and 1 year old hens, We get an egg a day from each with the exception of one that was hurt last year. Anyway, I have found them to be great layers even in winter. I also agree with broodies, we have had 2 so far this year!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

My BBS Orps lay everyday all year long until molting season starts and they quit on me one month out of the year or when they go Broody.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

My BOs are my best layers. The eggs also are large and heavy, which I have been really impressed with.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I love my Orps- and they do lay all winter. It gets down to 0 degrees sometimes here in the mountains, and they handle it well. They can be a little mischeivous, but it's just so entertaining I don't mind.

 

[tiki244]

WOW thats GReat! I just got 4 B O babies and was hoping I had made a good choice. Just love the looks.

Now if they all turn out to be girls that would be GREAT

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
you got to have a rooster,.. they are sooo pretty.. of course there are a lot of pretty roosters, aren't there ??..

 

[Windchyme]

Quote:
The increase of egg size is as a result of age. When they first start laying the eggs are smaller as their bodies aren't used to laying. Then as their bodies get into the groove the eggs get bigger over that season. Then each year they get bigger and bigger as the birds egg parts stretch out and become more lax. The increase in egg size isn't due to them stopping laying. I have hens here that are 4+ years old who still lay maybe 5 eggs a week. As they age they will be a little less reliable about their eggs and instead of getting an egg every day you might find them skipping a day or two a week then progressively more. Those girls have plenty of laying left in them, they're just starting. Those really big breed of chickens often take longer to get laying then smaller chickens.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Whats even better, is the buff orp usually goes broody so you can hatch your own replacement laying hens!