Orpington Thread

[Anna247]

Hey does anyone have some show quality Orpington chicks for sale?

 

[MelissaZeno]

I bought my four Lavender Orpingtons from a local man, how do I know if the Orpingtons I have are English or not? I have tried to contact him multiple times but he hasn't responded.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

I bought my four Lavender Orpingtons from a local man, how do I know if the Orpingtons I have are English or not? I have tried to contact him multiple times but he hasn't responded.

Look at the SOP and see which they conform more closely to (short cut: super fluffy with tails at a 45 degree angle indicates recent English import lines; less fluffy, with a straighter back is American lines).

American-style (from My Pet Chicken):



English-style (from Heirloom Orptingtons):



Edited to add: if they're the ones in your avatar, I would say you have American SOP lavender Orps.

 

[MelissaZeno]

They are the ones from my picture, thank you for helping me out on this.

 

[Amberjem]

would age have a factor in that if they are younger or older?

 

[HighStreetCoop]

would age have a factor in that if they are younger or older?

Do you mean would age affect whether they looked American SOP or English SOP? Up to a point, yes. But I think it would become evident fairly quickly.

For example, these are 15 week old birds. They're clearly English. The feathering and general shape is just very distinct.

 

[MelissaZeno]

That could be since they are older now and have started laying eggs. I will try to post a updated pic of them. They are about 10 weeks younger than my older 7 hens, and they are bigger than my older hens now.

 

[Dianne88]

What is about the age Orpingtons start to lay?

 

[informative]

five to six months is typical

 

[MelissaZeno]

Mine were about 6 months old.