Orpingtons???????

[Ringtailtwister]

I would like to know the difference between a English Orpington and any other Orpington? I see that English Orpingtons sell for a higher price why?

 

[and-roo]

I have a buff orp hen and a blue orp hen that look TOTALLY different in shape and size. The blue (apparently) is what's called and English Orpington and is bigger and rounder and doesn't lay as much eggs. The buff is what I've heard of being called an American Orpington (what you would normally get from a feed store her in the u.s. or something). She is more compact and lays a lot more eggs, and bigger too. I guess the English are more "pure" and maybe that's why they're more expensive? And the american orps are bred for more egg-laying quality and might have other breeds bred to them to make them better layers. This is just my guess, I'm no proffessional

 

[Michael OShay]

Buff is a color variety and has nothing to do with whether an Orpington is English or American. Both English and American Orpingtons are bred in buff coloring and other color varieties as well. There are two similar but different standards for English and American Orpingtons. English Orpingtons have a somewhat heavier, broader body with a lower stance than American Orpingtons. The feathers are even more fluffed-out than those on American Orpingtons, which make the English Orpingtons look massive, almost like bare legged Cochins with down from the body that covers most of their legs. English Orpingtons also have a more curvy shape with a shorter back and U-shaped underline and relatively larger heads than American Orpingtons. And-roo is correct in that American Orpingtons have been bred more for egg production and tend to outlay English Orpingtons. English Orpingtons are more expensive than American Orpingtons because they are less common and therefore harder to find in the USA than American Orpingtons.

 

[and-roo]

I know that buff has nothing to do with american or English orpingtons, I was just using mine as an example

 

[Ringtailtwister]

Thanks for the info we never get to old to learn.

 

[Michael OShay]

I know that buff has nothing to do with american or English orpingtons, I was just using mine as an example

Gotcha. )

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for the info we never get to old to learn.

You're welcome.