By Lionel Marx

The Orpington is a British breed of chicken. It was bred in the late nineteenth century by William Cook of Orpington, at that time in Kent in south-east England. It was intended to be a dual-purpose breed, to be reared both for eggs and for meat, but soon became exclusively a show bird.

Colours: Blue, Black, White, Golden Lace, Silver Lace, Splash, Chocolate, Buff, Lavender, Jubilee
Egg colour: Brown
Egg production (annual): 160
Temperament: Calm
Egg size: Large
Mass: 3,6 – 4,6 kg (Male), 2,7 – 3,6 kg (Female)
Origin: England

GOLDEN LACED ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Golden Laced Orpingtons are a calm, docile, and friendly breed known for their beautiful golden feathers with distinct black lacing. They are a dual-purpose bird, providing both eggs and meat, with hens laying about 150-200 large, light brown eggs per year and being prone to going broody. They are good foragers, can tolerate confinement, and are hardy in both heat and cold, making them a great choice for beginners.

Appearance

Plumage: Features a striking pattern of golden-buff feathers with black lacing.
Body: They have a rounded, broad, and cobby body, contributing to their gentle appearance.
Size: They are a medium to large breed, with hens weighing around 8 lbs and roosters about 10 lbs.

Other features:

They have short, sturdy legs that are often hidden by their fluffy body feathers.

Temperament and care

Temperament: Known for their docile, gentle, and sweet nature, making them excellent pets and good for families.
Socialisation: They are sociable and tolerate human interaction well.
Activity level: They are a "lazier" breed, not as dominant in the pecking order, and are not prone to flight.
Health and hardiness: They are generally healthy and hardy in both heat and cold.
Housing: Can tolerate confinement well and are great in free-range settings due to their foraging skills.
Companionship: Best not to house them with very aggressive breeds, as they can be picked on.

Productivity

Egg production: Hens lay 3-5 large, light brown eggs per week, totalling 150-200 eggs per year.
Broodiness: They are frequently broody and make excellent mothers to their chicks.
Meat production: They are a dual-purpose breed suitable for both egg and meat production.

SILVER LACED ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Silver Laced Orpingtons are a rare, dual-purpose chicken known for their striking black and silver laced feathering, gentle and docile nature, and fluffy, round appearance. Hens lay about 150-180 large, light brown or cream-colored eggs per year and are often broody, while roosters are larger, weighing around 13-15+ lbs. These chickens are excellent backyard pets due to their calm temperament but need protection in hot climates because of their heavy plumage.

Appearance

Feathers: Distinctive black and silver "lacing" against a fluffy, round body.
Build: They have a broad body, short back, and low stance, giving them a large and cuddly appearance.
Legs: Ideally, legs are pink or white, but yellow legs can appear, and those birds should not be used for breeding to maintain the desired look, says this Facebook post.
Weight: Roosters typically weigh around 13-15+ lbs, and hens are about 9-12+ lbs.

Temperament and behaviour

Docile and friendly: Exceptionally gentle, making them great pets for families and good around children.
Broody: Hens often go broody, making them reliable mothers for hatching and raising chicks.
Calm: They are not flighty and rarely attempt to fly, which makes them easy to contain and handle.

Egg-laying

Egg production: Lay approximately 150-180 large eggs per year.
Egg color: Eggs are typically light brown or cream-colored.
Winter laying: They are known to continue laying well during the winter.

Care and climate

Cold weather: Their abundant feathering provides excellent protection against cold temperatures.
Hot weather: Due to their heavy plumage, they need shade and plenty of ventilation to avoid overheating in warm climates.
Diet and water: Require fresh water and a good diet, especially in the summer heat.
Predators: Their large size can make them less vulnerable to smaller predators, but they should still be protected in a secure coop.

Rarity and origin

Origin: The Silver Laced variety was developed more recently by British Master Breeder Bob Follows, though the original Orpington breed was created in the 1800’s by William Cook.
Recognition: It is a rare colour variety that is not yet recognised by the American Poultry Association, but is gaining popularity in poultry shows.

BUFF ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Buff Orpingtons are a gentle, docile, and hardy breed known for being excellent dual-purpose birds for both eggs and meat. They are large, fluffy, and have a calm temperament that makes them great for families and beginners, though their gentle nature can lead to them being bullied by more aggressive breeds. These chickens are reliable layers of large brown eggs, producing around 200–280 eggs per year, and are also good mothers.

Key details

Temperament: Calm, docile, and gentle, making them ideal for families and beginners. They can be susceptible to bullying from more aggressive breeds.
Appearance: Large, heavy build with fluffy, warm golden-buff feathers and a broad, curved body. They have short legs, a deep breast, and fluffy feathering that makes them cold-hardy.
Egg Production: Lay large brown eggs, typically between 200–280 per year. They can lay throughout the winter.
Meat Production: They are considered good table birds and reach butcher size around 22 weeks.
Broodiness: They are known for being broody and are often good mothers.
Hardiness: Very cold-hardy due to their fluffy feathers but need shade and water in hot weather to prevent overheating.
Size: Large fowl males weigh about 10 lbs, and females around 8 lbs.
Care: They are adaptable to both free-range and confined environments but need adequate space due to their size. A high-protein diet is recommended.

LAVENDER ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Lavender Orpington chickens are a popular, calm, and friendly large breed known for their unique grey-blue, violet-lavender plumage. They are considered a rare colour variation and are a good choice for backyard flocks, known for being docile and great with children. Lavender Orpingtons are decent layers of light brown eggs and have a strong maternal instinct.

Characteristics

Temperament: They are calm, docile, and friendly, making them excellent for families and beginners.
Appearance: They have a beautiful, light grey-blue or slaty blue colour with iridescent lavender hues, which is often more apparent in person than in photos. They are a large bird with fluffy plumage that can make them look even bigger.
Egg Laying: They are fair to good egg layers, producing up to 200 light brown eggs per year.
Maternal Instinct: Lavender Orpingtons tend to go broody and are excellent mothers, which is beneficial for natural hatching.
Foraging: They are good foragers and enjoy ranging, but they may need protection from predators.
Cold Hardiness: Due to their fluffy feathers, they are well-suited for colder climates.
Colour Genetics: The lavender gene is a result of diluting both black and red pigments and is a recessive gene that "breeds true," meaning two Lavender Orpingtons will produce all Lavender offspring.

Chicks

Appearance: Lavender Orpington chicks are born with a fluffy grey and yellow down, with some lavender feathers appearing later. Their beaks start black, and their feet are a greyish-blue.
Sexing: You can tell them apart by their tails; roosters have longer tails, and hens have shorter ones.

Considerations

Rarity: Lavender is one of the rarer colours within the Orpington breed, though it has become more popular recently.
Show Recognition: This colour variety is not officially recognized by the American Poultry Association (APA), but it is a popular and desirable addition to many flocks.
Feather Development: The "lavender gene" can cause a condition known as the "shredder gene," which causes feathers to split, but this is a separate phenomenon that can affect other chickens as well.

BLACK ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Black Orpingtons are a popular breed of large, dual-purpose chicken known for their docile and friendly nature, glossy black plumage with a greenish sheen, and good egg-laying ability. They are hardy, cold-tolerant birds that lay around 175–200 large brown eggs per year, making them an excellent choice for families, beginners, and backyard flocks.

Appearance

Plumage: Glossy black feathers that can have a green sheen in the right light.
Size: Large birds; roosters weigh about 10–12 pounds and hens about 8–10 pounds.
Body: Large and robust, with a deep breast and thick feathering.
Head: Red comb, wattles, and white earlobes.

Temperament and behaviour

Personality: Docile, gentle, and calm, which makes them good for families and beginners.
Social: Often sociable and can be good in mixed flocks, but their gentle nature can make them susceptible to bullying by more aggressive breeds.
Foraging: Good foragers that enjoy exploring.

Egg-laying

Colour: Large, brown eggs.
Production: Lay approximately 175–200 eggs per year.
Start Time: Hens typically begin laying around 20–24 weeks old.

Hardiness and care

Climate: Hardy and adaptable, with good cold tolerance due to their dense plumage.
Overheating: Their heavy feathering may require extra care in very hot climates.
Broodiness: Hens tend to go broody and can be good mothers.

Origin

Developed: In England in the late 19th century by William Cook.
Purpose: Bred as a dual-purpose bird for both meat and eggs.

BLUE ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Blue Orpington chickens are large, docile, and hardy birds known for their beautiful slate-blue, fluffy feathers with dark lacing. They are excellent dual-purpose birds, providing both eggs and meat, and hens are often broody and make good mothers. They lay about 150-230 large brown eggs per year and are cold-hardy.

Appearance

Colour: Slate-blue plumage, often with darker lacing on the feathers.
Feathers: Thick, loose, and fluffy, which can make them look bigger than they are.
Size: Large birds; roosters weigh about 9−10 lbs (4−4.5 kg) and hens about 7−8 lbs (3−3.5 kg).
Legs: White skin and legs with feathers on the legs.
Comb: Medium single comb with five points.

Egg Production

Egg Colour: Light brown or tinted brown.
Egg Count: About 150–230 large eggs per year, which is around 4-6 eggs per week.
Broodiness: They are prone to broodiness and make excellent mothers.

Hardiness and Care

Hardiness: Very cold-hardy due to their dense plumage, but they need shade and water in hot weather.
Foraging: Good foragers and are suitable for both free-range and confinement.

Genetics and Breeding

The blue colour comes from a cross between black and splash Orpingtons.

Due to genetics, hatching a "blue" chick is not guaranteed. A cross between a blue rooster and a blue hen will produce a mix of blue, black, and "splash" (very pale) chicks.

This makes breeding them to the exhibition standard challenging, as a large number of eggs need to be hatched to get the desired blue colour.

White Orpington chickens

White Orpington chickens are a docile, dual-purpose breed known for their gentle nature, fluffy white appearance, and good egg-laying and meat production. They typically lay 200-250 light brown or pinkish eggs per year, are cold-hardy, and are excellent mothers due to being very broody. Their large size and calm temperament make them a popular choice for both backyard flocks and show birds.

Appearance

Colour: Pure white feathers.
Body: Large, fluffy, and rounded with a deep breast and a curved back.
Skin colour: Pinkish-white.

Temperament and behaviour

Temperament: Gentle, calm, and friendly.
Behaviour: Quiet and easy to handle, making them a good choice for beginners.
Broodiness: Very broody and make excellent mothers, which can affect their egg-laying while incubating.
Activity: Diurnal, meaning they are active during the day.

Egg production and meat

Egg production: Lay between 200 and 250 light brown or pinkish eggs per year.
Egg quality: Good winter layers.
Meat quality: A dual-purpose breed, meaning they are also raised for meat. Roosters can weigh up to 10lbs (4.5 kg), while hens are typically around 6−8 lbs (2.7−3.6 kg).

Hardiness and origin

Hardiness: Cold-hardy due to their dense feathering.
Origin: England, bred in the village of Orpington in Kent.
Lifespan: Around 8 to 12 years in human care.

SPLASH ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Splash Orpingtons are a large, docile, and hardy chicken breed known for their unique blue, black, and white mottled plumage. They are a dual-purpose breed, good for both meat and reliable brown egg production (around 150-200 per year). Due to their dense feathers, they are very cold-hardy but require shade and water in hot climates.

Temperament and handling

Docile and friendly: Splash Orpingtons are known for their calm and gentle nature, making them an excellent choice for families or mixed flocks.
Great with people: They are often described as being "Labradors" of the chicken world, as they are friendly and enjoy interaction.
Good mothers: Hens are frequently broody and are attentive mothers to their chicks.

Egg production

Egg colour: They lay large, brown eggs.
Laying frequency: They lay consistently, producing about 3 to 5 eggs per week, or 150 to 200 annually.
Laying maturity: Hens typically start laying between 18 and 24 weeks of age.

Appearance and size

Colour: Their plumage is a mottled pattern of blue, black, and white. Due to genetics, a clutch of chicks from two "blue" parents can result in a mix of blue, black, and splash chicks.
Plumage: They have a soft, fluffy, and dense feathering.
Size: Hens typically weigh around 8 lbs, and roosters can weigh up to 10 lbs.

Climate and environment

Cold-hardy: Their dense feathers provide excellent protection against cold weather.
Heat-sensitive: In hot climates, they need access to shade and plenty of cool water to prevent heat stress.
Confinement: They can be kept in confinement if given enough space, but they are not strong foragers.

JUBILEE ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Jubilee Orpingtons are a dual-purpose, docile, and friendly chicken breed with a unique mahogany ground color featuring black spangles with white tips. They were developed in England in 1897 to honor Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and are known for being hearty and cold-tolerant. The birds lay 3-5 cream-brown eggs per week, weigh around 8 lbs for hens and 10 lbs for roosters, and have a fluffy, rounded appearance.

Key details

Origin: England, 1897
Temperament: Docile, friendly, and calm, making them excellent pets and suitable for beginners
Colour: Mahogany ground colour with black spangles and white tips. They have a complex feather pattern that can take up to 18 months to fully mature.
Size: Large fowl, with hens averaging about 8 lbs and roosters around 10 lbs
Eggs: Lay approximately 150+ large, light brown or cream-brown eggs per year (about 3-5 per week)
Dual-purpose: Good for both egg and meat production
Hardiness: Very hearty and cold-hardy, though they are not especially heat-tolerant.

CHOCOLATE ORPINGTON CHICKEN

Chocolate Orpingtons are a docile, dual-purpose chicken breed known for their rich chocolate-brown plumage, hearty nature, and reliable egg-laying. They are friendly, good-tempered birds that are excellent for families and homesteads, producing about 150-200 medium, slightly tinted brown eggs per year. They are also prized for their quality meat, are cold and heat hardy, and have a tendency to go broody.

Temperament and behaviour

Docile and friendly: They are known for a calm, gentle, and friendly disposition, making them great pets and suitable for families with children.
Motherly nature: Orpingtons have a tendency to go broody, which means they are likely to sit on eggs and raise chicks.
Pet-like demeanour: Many owners report that these birds enjoy human interaction and can be very affectionate.

Appearance and hardiness

Plumage: They have a deep, chocolate-brown colour that can sometimes appear almost black.
Size: They are a heavyweight breed, with hens weighing around 8 lbs and roosters averaging 10 lbs.
Hardiness: They are a hearty breed that can tolerate both warm summers and cold winters well.

Egg production

Egg colour: They lay medium-sized, slightly tinted brown eggs.
Production rate: Hens typically lay between 150 and 200 eggs per year.
Laying schedule: They start laying at about 20 to 24 weeks old and lay consistently.

Other details

Dual-purpose: They are a dual-purpose breed, valued for both their eggs and their meat quality.
Heritage breed: The Orpington breed was created in England in the 1800’s by William Cook.
Genetics: The chocolate colour is caused by a relatively new gene, and chicks may be slow to feather up.