Need opinions and or thoughts regarding Buff Orpington hens

[mviera101]

Hello,
Looking to get a Buff Orpington layer as a companion for my 4 yo Barred Rock ,(Dottie) who lost her friend( RIP Wynonna Ryder) also a BR. I've never owned a BO and would like some advice , health, temperament,etc.
Thank you.

 

[FrostRanger]

New to the breed myself, but my 16 week old buff Orpington Juniper is a very sweet and sassy girl! She's my second friendliest bird overall and is best friends with one of my easter eggers Ginkgo. Sure, there's a few mean ones out there but by and large they're generally very sweet and friendly. If you need any more convincing they were the breed of choice of the late Queen Elizabeth. Just be aware the breed tends quite heavily towards broodiness. Great if you want her to raise more chicks but can be annoying if you just want eggs. My suggestion and what I'm planning on doing personally with Juniper is if your bird is a broody girl, whenever you're ready to add more chicks to the flock wait for her to go broody and let her do the hard work of raising them. You can just slip some day old pullets at around day 21 of her being broody if you don't want to chance a rooster and with luck she'll adopt them

 

[LilFinnGirl]

I love my buff orps! I have two buffs, and eight blues. My buffs are the only ones who have gone broody, I let one hatch out a couple eggs this year and she was a perfect mother. They are very friendly, calm, good layers. Highly recommend! But I am biased, ha.

 

[mviera101]

New to the breed myself, but my 16 week old buff Orpington Juniper is a very sweet and sassy girl! She's my second friendliest bird overall and is best friends with one of my easter eggers Ginkgo. Sure, there's a few mean ones out there but by and large they're generally very sweet and friendly. If you need any more convincing they were the breed of choice of the late Queen Elizabeth. Just be aware the breed tends quite heavily towards broodiness. Great if you want her to raise more chicks but can be annoying if you just want eggs. My suggestion and what I'm planning on doing personally with Juniper is if your bird is a broody girl, whenever you're ready to add more chicks to the flock wait for her to go broody and let her do the hard work of raising them. You can just slip some day old pullets at around day 21 of her being broody if you don't want to chance a rooster and with luck she'll adopt them

Thank you for that info. The most hens I can and have had is 4 at a time. I'm a small backyard hen mama whose had many breeds over the years but never an Orpington. Due to city ordinance, no roosters are allowed. I did have a little Wellsummer,Lucy, who once went broody. Just gave her lots of attention and supplemented her diet with extra protein. Love the name Juniper

 

[mviera101]

I love my buff orps! I have two buffs, and eight blues. My buffs are the only ones who have gone broody, I let one hatch out a couple eggs this year and she was a perfect mother. They are very friendly, calm, good layers. Highly recommend! But I am biased, ha.

View attachment 3874563

Thank you, beautiful birds and what lovely flowers.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

As you know Buff is just a color. Orpington's are a highly popular breed because there is nothing bad to say, they're great chickens. What alot of people don't like is the color Buff. Do a forum search and you'll see a few really long threads. I like having all different colored chickens in my flock so I do always have a Buff, a Lavender and I'm going to add a Chocolate next year.

 

[LilFinnGirl]

As you know Buff is just a color. Orpington's are a highly popular breed because there is nothing bad to say, they're great chickens. What alot of people don't like is the color Buff. Do a forum search and you'll see a few really long threads. I like having all different colored chickens in my flock so I do always have a Buff, a Lavender and I'm going to add a Chocolate next year. View attachment 3874687

I’d love to save up for a Jubilee! Am in love with the breed, don’t expect to be switching any time soon.

Gorgeous birds!

 

[mviera101]

Yes thank you, I was aware that they vary in color. There are Buffs for sale near me, the others don't seem to common here although Lavender and Chocolate seem to be popular. I too love having a colorful flock.

 

[mviera101]

I’d love to save up for a Jubilee! Am in love with the breed, don’t expect to be switching any time soon.

Gorgeous birds!

Oh had to Google that, Jubilee, what a beauty!

 

[LilFinnGirl]

Yes thank you, I was aware that they vary in color. There are Buffs for sale near me, the others don't seem to common here although Lavender and Chocolate seem to be popular. I too love having a colorful flock.

I love the Buff color. They remind me of golden retrievers in chicken form. Happy, friendly, curious, sometimes not too bright, and sometimes too dang smart for their own good.