Orpington for pets only

[Tortoise]

Still very new at all this. Also still chickenless until next spring. Trying to get all the info I need figured out.
I want Orpington's. I want them strictly as pets. Will be getting 2-3 depending on where I get them. I keep reading in their description on hatchery sites, etc, that they are very broody often. I read a thread on here that some members Orp's haven't gone broody at all.
Am I making a bad decision on wanting Orp's if I am not going to be hatching any?
Any insight, advice welcomed.
Thank you.

 

[Trux]

Check this breeder out she has birds she sell strictly as pet quality. She has Orps and Wy's also Deathlayers
http://www.rigginsfancychickens.com/

20180825_120847

• Trux
• Aug 25, 2018

Dolly getting some lap time

20180819_103937

• Trux
• Aug 19, 2018

SL Blue Orp. Dolly

20180819_104008

• Trux
• Aug 19, 2018
• 4

Black SL Orp. Yosemite Sam (Sam) for short)

These are the 2 I bought from her

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've had orpingtons in the past. I liked them. Half went broody, the other half never did.
I've had broody breeds that never went broody and non-broody breeds (think leghorns) that were always broody. It is an individual thing.
If you want orps and you don't want them to be broody, think about investing in or building a wire bottom cage. If you put the broody hen in an elevated cage with some food and water, the hormone cycle will be broken in a couple days.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Check this breeder out she has birds she sell strictly as pet quality. She has Orps and Wy's also Deathlayers
...http://www.rigginsfancychickens.com/

http://www.rigginsfancychickens.com/
What are deathlayers?

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I love my Orpingtons! My hatchery Buff's weren't my favorite originally, but once they started laying they have really mellowed out. The Lavender's have always been very friendly and laid back. You can always try to break them if they go broody as ChickenCanoe said if that's the breed you really want. It really depends on the individual bird whether they go broody or not.

Still very new at all this. Also still chickenless until next spring. Trying to get all the info I need figured out.
I want Orpington's. I want them strictly as pets. Will be getting 2-3 depending on where I get them. I keep reading in their description on hatchery sites, etc, that they are very broody often. I read a thread on here that some members Orp's haven't gone broody at all.
Am I making a bad decision on wanting Orp's if I am not going to be hatching any?
Any insight, advice welcomed.
Thank you.

https://greenfirefarms.com/deathlayer.html

What are deathlayers?

 

[Tortoise]

So, it won't hurt the birds in any way if they go broody often?
I have found some tricks to break the broody cycle and will try them, along with the one mentioned above.
I also wants to get them as chicks to bond with them from very early on.

 

[Trux]

What are deathlayers?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ay-they-die-say-hi-to-the-deathlayer.1038213/ here's some info

 

[Folly's place]

Just to add something else here; my friendliest hens have been Speckled Sussex! It's very individual, some birds will be friendly, some not. The hatchery buff Orphingtons that I had (long ago) weren't friendly, and didn't live long. Maybe others, from other places, will be nicer.
It's fun to get different breeds, and see who you like.
Mary

 

[alexa009]

Buff orpingtons should definitely be purchased as chicks because they are really hard to tame when you buy them as pullets. They look big and friendly with all those feathers but they are actually smaller than they look and can seem to jump and run really fast. With a lot of socialization though, buff orpingtons definitely make great pets! They absolutely love human contact!

 

[Tortoise]

Just to add something else here; my friendliest hens have been Speckled Sussex! It's very individual, some birds will be friendly, some not. The hatchery buff Orphingtons that I had (long ago) weren't friendly, and didn't live long. Maybe others, from other places, will be nicer.
It's fun to get different breeds, and see who you like.
Mary

The reason I picked them was mostly their friendly personality, cold hardy and their size.
I have been thinking about getting 2-3 different breeds.