Orpingtons!

[CountryMom]

Ok, so I know many of us have this breed and many of us love this breed. I know there are a few around here working on projects with this breed also. So I thought maybe we should start an Oprington thread like all the other breeds. They really are nice birds for many reasons.

I have one hatchery (from Ideal) 3 year old Buff hen. She looks a mess right now or I would post pictures. She has molted twice now since we have owned her and goes nearly naked!

I have a chicken saddle on her almost as a second skin. Poor baby. She lays about 3 or 4 eggs a week for us and they are jumbo to say the least. Her biggest downfall is she squats for any rooster over and over.

Then I have two black Orp roos, one black hen, 2 blues and 1 splash. One of the black roos things his place is to charge everyone. I think once I increase my flock he will go. The other roo is very shy, but already bigger than the first. The hens are not in your face friendly, but nice enough and oh so fluffy! Here are just a couple of pics of some of my Orps...

And my charging roo 'Goose' before he started his molt this year...

 

[Katy]

Many of us have posted pictures of our birds here on this orp thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=259995

 

[Katy]

Here are some newer pictures of some of mine.

 

[BarredBuff]

Here is my RIR and BO cross hen

 

[lighthawk]

Quote:
To be honest I am glad to see a page with this title. I have been thinking of starting a flock this spring and I am considering a mix of Orphingtons and Barred Rocks. I did a search for any thread with the full name and came up empty handed. I discussed it slightly with Rock owners and I would like to get an opinion from Orp owners.
Anyone?

 

[ksct]

this is all i have currently
I love to hear about and read about BO's. the only chickens we've ever had..... DH said no to more chickens... BUT i caught him on the phone talking to someone about a place to put the new coop.......

i'd like to get a lavender BO!!! beautiful!!!!

 

[CountryMom]

Quote:
To be honest I am glad to see a page with this title. I have been thinking of starting a flock this spring and I am considering a mix of Orphingtons and Barred Rocks. I did a search for any thread with the full name and came up empty handed. I discussed it slightly with Rock owners and I would like to get an opinion from Orp owners.
Anyone?

I didn't find the other thread either lighthawk. That is why I started this. Figured someone should have since I know many around here breed and raise them.

I have a barred rock hen and am looking to add in some Partridge Rocks in the future. I only have one shy low on the pecking order Orpington and I personally think it is the original bird. I have had others in the past and they did just fine with all different breeds. My barred Rock is the flock head hen and usually not brutal, just keeps everyone in line. Most of the Orpingtons are indifferent to her other than to stay in line. Our Rock even keeps the young roos in line like my big old black Orps. She is a good bird. I wouldn't hesitate to mix the breeds. You will enjoy both honestly.

 

[lighthawk]

Quote:
To be honest I am glad to see a page with this title. I have been thinking of starting a flock this spring and I am considering a mix of Orphingtons and Barred Rocks. I did a search for any thread with the full name and came up empty handed. I discussed it slightly with Rock owners and I would like to get an opinion from Orp owners.
Anyone?

I didn't find the other thread either lighthawk. That is why I started this. Figured someone should have since I know many around here breed and raise them.

I have a barred rock hen and am looking to add in some Partridge Rocks in the future. I only have one shy low on the pecking order Orpington and I personally think it is the original bird. I have had others in the past and they did just fine with all different breeds. My barred Rock is the flock head hen and usually not brutal, just keeps everyone in line. Most of the Orpingtons are indifferent to her other than to stay in line. Our Rock even keeps the young roos in line like my big old black Orps. She is a good bird. I wouldn't hesitate to mix the breeds. You will enjoy both honestly.

Thanks. If you don't mind I have one other question. Speckeled Hen informed me that hatchery Rocks rarely go broody until they are a few generations removed from the hatchery. Hatchery birds may be my only option if I cannot find some locally. Have you experienced the same behavior in Orps?

 

[joletabey]

I wouldn't mind an Orpington discussion- I have a lot to learn! I have one blue Orp- I think it's a roo. He is 8 weeks old, so I may be wrong. But I would like to have a few more - and I really like the blue color- I'll try to get up a picture later this week and see what you think.
I know they are supposed to have pretty nice temperaments and be OK layers, but beyond that I really don't know a lot!

 

[Katy]

Quote:
I didn't find the other thread either lighthawk. That is why I started this. Figured someone should have since I know many around here breed and raise them.

I have a barred rock hen and am looking to add in some Partridge Rocks in the future. I only have one shy low on the pecking order Orpington and I personally think it is the original bird. I have had others in the past and they did just fine with all different breeds. My barred Rock is the flock head hen and usually not brutal, just keeps everyone in line. Most of the Orpingtons are indifferent to her other than to stay in line. Our Rock even keeps the young roos in line like my big old black Orps. She is a good bird. I wouldn't hesitate to mix the breeds. You will enjoy both honestly.

Thanks. If you don't mind I have one other question. Speckeled Hen informed me that hatchery Rocks rarely go broody until they are a few generations removed from the hatchery. Hatchery birds may be my only option if I cannot find some locally. Have you experienced the same behavior in Orps?

I never had any Orps that were from a hatchery, but I would think it might be the same with them.