Orpingtons - An ocean apart??

[lildinkem]

Jim you are the only one on this thread who even said anything about having the UK Orp as a different breed.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

You all have GORGEOUS Orpingtons for sure!!!

My (American) Orpington experience is that they are beautiful, even at the hatchery level, but doggone stubborn!!! My buff orps are the consistent trouble makers!!! They are friendly, yes, but don't try to tell them what to do!! You will be ignored.

And they sneak in the house at every opportunity!!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

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From Post #1:
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The difference is there are now three breeds of Orpingtons. The Australorp (Australian Black Orpington); the UK Orpington; and the American Orpington. The Standards are different on all three, thus they are different breeds. Even teh Standards Committee is now publicly stating they are different breeds. I amy be the only one on this thread that is saying this, but not the only one in the fancy. The Standrad of Perfection is the ONLY guide in our show rooms. And should be our only guide in our breeding pens. The UK Standard has no place in the US showroom. Now anyone can raise and breed what they like. none of anyones business. But when you get to Crossroads, it better be an American Orpington. ETA: Then there is the Hatchery Orpington. What most folks have as a Buff Orpington. Simialar, but usuelly tight feathered, about 2 pounds under SOP weight and more agressive than the SOP Orpington.

 

[fifelakelooper]

I think we ALL agree that both the UK Orpingtons and the American Orpingtons are beautiful and wonderful birds. I guess what Jim is saying is that which you go with is your own preferrence....as long as you don't plan to "show" the birds. If you are planning to "show" the birds...then the UK birds can't compete with the American because they are two separate breeds with different "standards of Perfection". Mine are a "mix" but I don't intend to ever show...I just want to breed following as close as possible the SOP so that I have a quality bird. (even if I never sell any...just keep for myself!)

 

[tennesseeckn]

So, is there a reason that English Orpingtons shouldn't be accepted by the APA as a separate breed? I don't want to show my birds either, but if I did, is there a reason I wouldn't want them to be called some other name? I am new to all of this, so there are probably a lot of implications that I am not aware of, but my inclination is that if I were going to show my guys I would want them to be up against other shiny, fluffy, heavy, regal birds that are bred to the Orpington standard in England.

I have SLW because they are a heritage breed and I respect the history of the birds. I can see how breeders of American Orps wouldn't want to chunk all of their hard work in an attempt to meet UK standards. I can also see how they are preserving history of the development of Orps in this country. I'm sure some judges react a little... ummm... rudely... just in an attempt to preserve the American standard.

That being said, I have UK Orps because I think they are beautiful and LOVE the way they look. I wouldn't love them any less if they were named Englorps, or Royalorps, or anything else. I'm not a fan of Cochingtons. That's just wrong. It dismisses hundreds of years of hard work UK breeders have invested in the breed.

Just my two cents...

 

[syble]

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I don't think its jelousy that drives the UK vs US orp debate, I think its protectionism. I know breeders who name each and every show bird they have, they are pets and they breed to the sop. so the fear that they might have to change to conform to a different standard is just unthinkable to them.

I would like to see the uk bred orps become their own recognized breed. Its been done for austrolorps (and to be honest, I cant see nearly the difference that i can with the uk vs us lol). But i kinda agree, cochingtons is almost derogatory... I think engleorps is better!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Some of us would support the UK Orp as a seperate breed. We are not opposed to the UK Orp. Just opposed to teh American orpington being found worthless as teh "standard" changes. Even if teh SOp stays teh same, soem judges are not Orp breeders and will place teh fluffier bird. We have a Standard. If a bird does not meet that Standard, be it for fluff, tail, type etc, it should be disqualified at a show.

The OP asked what the difference was. Walt Leonard made it clear in his comment. they are different breeds.

Take a look at the German Langshan about half way down this link http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGK/Langshan/BRKLangshan.html
In name they would sound like a Langshan. But in site, they are a different breed. Not even any feathered shanks. So it is with the comparrison of the UK and American Orpington.

 

[SuperChiks]

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Amazingly Beautiful!

 

[wilds of pa]

Well IMO if showing,, if the bird doesn't meet the APA Standard then by all means it should rightly loose to a bird that does, if a judge chooses otherwise he really shouldn't be judging a APA standard show id think.....

UK orps surely do make great yard candy regardless if they should be shown or not, we love are american and uk types we have.. also Just as American orps whether they meet the standard or not those birds still do make great eye candy as well..and all give us yummy kackle fruits..

One must be careful in this particular post, its very touch and go it is..

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Many of us may just have to agree to disagree with each other. In the end, what you have in your yard is your business and what we have in our yard is our business.

What you enter in a poultry show is everybody's business and the SOP business.