Orpington question

[raro]

So I got a hen a few months ago and was told she was a black Orpington. I'm so used to hearing buff Orpington that I hadn't even realized they came in other colors, so I was intrigued and got her. But now I'm wondering if, in fact, she is any kind of Orpington. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a camera at the moment, but figured I could at least ask a few generic questions?

She is a smaller than average bird, nowhere near the size of the B.O.'s I have seen. She lays small eggs, but doesn't really seem like a bantam, more like a 3/4 cross, if there is such a thing. Her feathers are sleek and shiny to the point that they shimmer with blue and green iridescence in the sunlight. She is very smart and is almost impossible to catch if I want to examine her. She has been known in the past to even fly up into a small tree in our backyard rather than be caught.

I guess I just picture Orpingtons as like large cats, all cuddly and fluffed out. This one looks more like a raven than a B.O.

Of course, I can't ask what kind of bird this could be since I have no picture, but I was wondering if any of you have had black Orpingtons and know if it sounds like something she could be. If not, I'll start looking up other breeds to see if I can find something similar. Thanks!

 

[Michael OShay]

It's too bad you don't have a picture. She might be a Black Australorp. They were originally bred from Black Orpington stock and are very similar in appearance, but a little smaller than the Orpingtons. The shiny black feathers that shimmer green are characteristic of Black Australorps.

 

[saltandpepper2]

It's too bad you don't have a picture. She might be a Black Australorp. They were originally bred from Black Orpington stock and are very similar in appearance, but a little smaller than the Orpingtons. The shiny black feathers that shimmer green are characteristic of Black Australorps.

X2 Sounds a lot like a hatchery quality Australorp! They are really good birds. The shiny, ebony feathers are a characteristic.

 

[raro]

Huh. Well, the pictures on line look very similar, except for 2 things: they look a lot bigger than mine, and they lay brown eggs. Mine lays small white eggs. Which, come to think of it, is weird, since she is a black hen...but she definitely looks more Austrolorp than Orpington, so we may be onto something.

 

[raro]

Well, in looking at pictures, I actually wonder if I could have a Sumatra. The internet sources say they are the right color, they do lay white eggs, and they tend to fly a bit more than other birds. She has no long tail feathers like the males do, of course. I've never had a Sumatra before so I'll keep looking for more information.

 

[Michael OShay]

Huh. Well, the pictures on line look very similar, except for 2 things: they look a lot bigger than mine, and they lay brown eggs. Mine lays small white eggs. Which, come to think of it, is weird, since she is a black hen...but she definitely looks more Austrolorp than Orpington, so we may be onto something.

If she is laying small white eggs, she is not either an Australorp or Orpington. Both breeds lay large, brown eggs. A picture sure would help to identify her. Without it, we are just guessing.

 

[saltandpepper2]

Well, it can't be either an Orp or an Ausie with white eggs! A pic would really help/

 

[BantamLover21]

A photo would help. Black Sumatra is a definite possibility.