Orpington Chicken

     The Orpington is a heavy breed of Chickens, that got named after the town of Orpington, in the south-eastern part of England. Its large size and soft appearance, together with its rich colors and gentle contours, make it a very attractive chicken breed. As a result, Orpington’s popularity increased as a showy bird rather than a utility breed.

    The original black Orpington was developed by crossing Minorcas, Croad Langshans and Plymouth Rocks. The White Orpington followed three years later, and was a cross between white Leghorns, black Hamburgs and White Dorkings. While, the Buff Orpington was introduced later as people wanted a buff color-variety for this chicken breed.

     Orpingtons have red earlobes, and small to moderate-sized single combs and wattles, which helped to make them very cold hardy. The original color-varieties for this chicken breed are; black, white, buff, blue and splash, but there are many additional color-varieties that got recognized across the world today. Orpington hens are very good layers of light-brown eggs (175 – 200 eggs per year) and they often go broody and make great mothers. A bantam version is also available for this breed.

 

Place of originThe UK 
UseDual-purpose and ornamental
Weight

Standard, male: 4.5 kg

female: 3.6 kg

Bantam, male: 1.1 kg

female: 965 g

Comb typeSingle comb
Skin colorWhite
Egg colorLight-brown

 

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A buff Orpington rooster by Amanda Slater
1024px Lavender orpington lilac 1 - Orpington Chicken
A lavender Orpington hen by Ospr3yy
5 3 - Orpington Chicken
Black Orpington bantams by arpent nourricier