Were all orpingtons created equal? :)

[ksato003]

We ordered buff and silver-laced orpingtons coming soon!

I'm curious if the "special" colors (lavender, splash, laced varieties) means they have different personalities than, say, a buff orpington, which I hear are like "yellow labs" of the chicken world. Or, are all orpingtons the same temperament wise?

I'm aware each chicken can have its own personality, but as a breed, are the rare color varieties personalities affected by the breed they're crossed with?

 

[HappyClucker7]

No, the personalities are not affected. They are the same chicken, just different colors. It's the same as any other animal. For example, poodles come in all different colors, but they are still poodles.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

@EmmaRainboe knows a lot about Orpingtons. Maybe she can help with your question.

I have wondered this same thing before. I've had the American Buff Orpingtons, and someday hope to get some of the Whites.

 

[ksato003]

No, the personalities are not affected. They are the same chicken, just different colors. It's the same as any other animal. For example, poodles come in all different colors, but they are still poodles.

Well now I just feel silly! Thank you for helping out this chicken newbie!

 

[EverythingDucks]

They're all the same breed. Different colors do not affect anything but the color of the bird. They should still have the same, well, everything expect for color.
It's like the difference between a blackab and a yellow lab. Same standards and they should have the same traits, though each ones personality is different.
And since a lot of people tend to get this confused, Buff Orpingtons are not a breed. Orpingtons are the breed. Buff is simply the color, which many other breeds come in.

 

[ksato003]

They're all the same breed. Different colors do not affect anything but the color of the bird. They should still have the same, well, everything expect for color.
It's like the difference between a blackab and a yellow lab. Same standards and they should have the same traits, though each ones personality is different.
And since a lot of people tend to get this confused, Buff Orpingtons are not a breed. Orpingtons are the breed. Buff is simply the color, which many other breeds come in.

Makes perfect sense, thanks for educating me!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Well now I just feel silly! Thank you for helping out this chicken newbie!

Don’t feel silly!! It was a good question!!! And honestly it probably depends where you buy them too because the buff variety has been bred for soooo long by most hatcheries and stuff that it may very well be “friendlier” or different or whatever than the newer varieties they just started working on.

Kind of like how my Partridge Plymouth Rock was nowhere near as good as my Barred Plymouth Rock I had. That could just be biased though since she was a favorite hahah but my point is that with hatcheries it might depend especially since they don’t really typically live up to breed standards anyway. But if you were to buy them from a reputable breeder then they should all have the same personality and have color be the only difference. But with hatchery birds you never know. If I’m making sense hahah

 

[EmmaRainboe]

@EmmaRainboe knows a lot about Orpingtons. Maybe she can help with your question.

Thanks for the tag!

x2 what @HappyClucker7 said.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Well now I just feel silly! Thank you for helping out this chicken newbie!

Don't feel silly! I actually see this question a lot.