Question about Buff Orpingtons

[dave27889]

I like Orpingtons in general but heard that they get pasty butt and that to bred some of them you had to remove feathers around the same area to breed some of them. I have seen that on several sites and in wikipedia. I just wanted the opinion from people that had them. I like most everything about them but don't want to be cleaning chickens rears and defeathering hens either. I think they are very pretty birds and I have an order in for some other type of chickens and if you tell me they are great I will order some. Thanks, Dave27889

 

[sunnydee]

I have three of them. I got them at 4 weeks old in July. Never had a pasty butt yet.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I LOVE the Orpingtons and can say that they are one of my favorite breeds! As far as them getting pasty butt goes, I haven't noticed them being any different than any of my other chicks or chickens. Now about having to trim some fluff for the breeding, I have read where that has had to be done. I think it is on a bird to bird basis though. I know speckledhen (Cyn) has had to trim some of hers before. I don't think that would be so bad really. It would just be a matter of trimming a small amount of fluff back. No biggy!

 

[speckledhen]

Pasty butt is a chick thing, not a grown hen thing. If you mean they get poop in their rear fluff, yes, some of them do. My Blue Orps, Barred Rocks and my one Speckled Sussex are the worst. My Orps, I often trim the butt-fluff for better breeding contact, though.

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
Well I have only about 6 months of experience with Orpingtons, but I have hatched them, purchased them as day-olds and purchased juveniles. I have never had a pasty butt issue- even with the babies. I have no inclination or need to trim feathers, my roos do a darn good job getting fertility job done (100% hatch rate).
They are my favorite birds- I have several breeds, and I would think that the type of diet you rprovide will determine the poop issue.
Good Luck!
Christina