What color is this Orpington Roo?

[Krazyquilts]

I recently acquired some extra roosters from a local farm that has great lines but still only needs only so many males. Most of the roosters will go to freezer camp, a couple funny bantams might get to live in the "Boys Only Club" (aka the sheep pasture) for the entertainment value they provide, but I am also thinking about keeping one or two roosters for breeding, including this pretty boy. Can anyone tell me what color/variety of Orpington he is, and also whether you think he would be a good candidate for breeding, either for an Orpington program or just an ol' fashion barnyard mix sire?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He looks to be a mix of colors. He's a good looking boy otherwise.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Give him to meeeeeee him so purdy!!!!!

 

[Hopethehen]

He looks like mix of Jubilee and Brahma. Brahma as in the shape, and color. But Jubilee for the color of the head and near the chest. Look up Brahma, and Jubilee pictures and you will see the resemblence.

 

[Krazyquilts]

So is a mix of colors, or the fact that his shape is more like a Brahma, considered to be "bad" and something I shouldn't keep in the gene pool?

I want to breed some kind of rare breed poultry eventually, but I doubt I'll be ready to be settle down on just one or two (or three or four ) breeds anytime soon, so it's not like I'm planning on raising the next grand champion, but I do want to make sure that I'm not passing along bad traits like floppy combs, etc. (Which is what another one of the extra roosters has unfortunately.)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

There is no Brahma in him. He does vaguely resemble a Columbian as far as color. I don't show Orpingtons, but to me he has nice type.

Whether to use him for breeding depends on what you are breeding for.

 

[Hopethehen]

Definetly some Brahma. My old Brama had the same exact tail, the color the shape. But he didnt have the brown like yours does. Some chickens you may never find the breed of, you will just have an educated gues. Like my old orpington, no one looked like her,i knew she was an orpington by her shape, and so i just called her a buff and red orpington mix. Well, i will never know, but at least i have an educated guess.

 

[The Angry Hen]

No Brahma in him... (White clean legs and single comb signify no Brahma). But good guess. I definitely know your handsome rooster has Orpington due to the comb, the volume of his tail and even his shanks of which are white as are a majority of Orpington varieties. He may have some Jubilee... But I am almost wondering is he has any barred in him... Have you tried "lifting" his feathers to identify the colors beyond them? For example, a Delaware does not look barred... But when lifting up the feathers. Oops! He has barred bloodlines! So maybe that can help a bit too. You have a very handsome boy on your hands!! Hope this helps.

 

[Krazyquilts]

There is no Brahma in him. He does vaguely resemble a Columbian as far as color. I don't show Orpingtons, but to me he has nice type.

Whether to use him for breeding depends on what you are breeding for.

I was studying him today and comparing him to my Lemon and Silver Laced Orpington roosters (same breeder) since I just moved them to the Rooster pasture and now I'm not sure I like his neck and mane (?) compared to theirs.

For comparison, here's a pic of the "Male Models" taken two months ago when they were 4 months old:

 

[Krazyquilts]

Definetly some Brahma. My old Brama had the same exact tail, the color the shape. But he didnt have the brown like yours does. Some chickens you may never find the breed of, you will just have an educated gues. Like my old orpington, no one looked like her,i knew she was an orpington by her shape, and so i just called her a buff and red orpington mix. Well, i will never know, but at least i have an educated guess.

The farm I got him from doesn't have Brahmas so I know he's an Orpington, I just don't know what color. But now that you've reminded me of Brahmas, I keep thinking about how fun it would be to get some - so thanks for adding to my ever-lengthening breeds-I-need list!