The Orpington chicken is a popular chicken kept across the U.S. and Europe. And for good reason! It has both an award-winning personality and good egg production, making Orpington chickens ideal for backyard flocks.
William Cook Orpingtons
The Orpington chicken originated in Kent, England, in the village of Orpington in the late nineteenth century. Bred by William Cook, the breed initially sported black feathering instead of the more common buff variety found today.
Mr. Cook developed the Black Orpington by crossing Minorcas, Black Plymouth Rocks, and Croad Langshans to create a dual-purpose chicken to excel at egg laying and produce a good table bird.
While the Black Orpington was originally popular in England, the color quickly lost favor when the buff variety was developed by crossing Golden Spangled Hamburgs, Buff Cochins, and Dark Dorkings to create the most popular of the Orpington chicken’s color varieties.
The Buff Orpington arrived in America in 1891 and quickly gained popularity with midwestern farmers who favored these chickens for their excellent table qualities and eye-catching color.
Orpington Chickens: A Dual-Purpose Chicken Breed
Bred to be a dual-purpose breed (meaning they can produce eggs and meat), the Orpington chicken produces a fair number of eggs and is a decent meat bird. However, if you are looking for a high production breed to excel at either of these qualities, the breed may not be the best choice to fit your needs.
Orpington hens average three to six large light brown eggs weekly (about one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty eggs annually). Bear in mind that these hens can go broody, so egg production will also vary due to this trait.
As table birds, Orpington roosters are slow-growers reaching market weight (seven to eight pounds) between the age of five to six months. The Orpington chicken is especially well-known for their superb quality legs and thigh meat.
Eye-Catching Orpington Varieties
The Orpington Chicken comes in many eye-catching colors, including Black, Blue, Buff, Chocolate, Cuckoo, Lavender, Mottled, Red, Spangled, Splash, and White.
Heavy Breed Chickens
The Orpington chicken is a large bird with heavy feathering, giving the breed the appearance of being even larger than it actually is. The weight will vary depending on strain and some Orpingtons can be much smaller than the breed’s typical standard.
Average mature rooster weight: 7 – 10 pounds
Average mature hen weight: 6 – 8 pounds
Health Concerns
The Orpington chicken is a generally healthy breed; however, they can suffer from egg laying disorders common in brown egg layers including egg binding, egg yolk peritonitis, ovarian cancer/tumors, and oviduct prolapse.
Other health concerns, including bumblefoot, external parasites, heatstroke, and obesity, can be common in this heavyweight breed.
Special Considerations
Due to their large size and heavy feathering, the Orpington chicken has some special considerations that chicken owners should keep in mind.
Orpingtons can not fly or even run very fast and are prime targets for a predator attack. A concrete coop floor, predator skirts, strong half-inch hardware cloth over the sides and roof of an enclosed run, and no gaps larger than half-inch anywhere in the coop or run are essentials to protecting Orpingtons and other poultry from predators. Only allow these gentle giants to free range under the watchful eye of an adult.
Keep perches about two feet off the floor to help Orpingtons access the perch easily.
Provide plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep Orpingtons happy, healthy, and maintain a healthy weight.
Restrict feeding times to twenty to thirty minutes twice daily to prevent Orpingtons from becoming obese.
How Long Do Orpington Chickens Live?
The Orpington chicken has a respectable life expectancy of five to eight years. (The typical lifespan of a backyard chicken)
Orpington Temperament: A Friendly Chicken Breed
The Orpington chicken has one of the best personalities for families with small children. These gentle giants are one of the most affectionate of all chicken breeds and quickly become part of the family.
Friendly, sweet, interactive, and personable, Orpingtons love to interact with adults, are patient with children, and enjoy sitting on your lap for a snuggle.
If raised with frequent, gentle handling as chicks and continued handling through adulthood, Orpingtons make an ideal breed for those solely looking for a pet chicken.
Orpington roosters are often less aggressive than other breeds and often display a friendly and affectionate disposition toward their handlers. Keep in mind that all roosters are individuals, so be sure to monitor your rooster closely for any signs of aggressive behavior, especially when allowed to interact with children and other household pets.
Orpington Chicken FAQsQ: Where did the Orpington chicken originate?A: The Orpington chicken was developed in 1886 in Orpington, England, by William Cook, a poultry breeder and former publisher of the Poultry Journal. Q: What was the purpose of creating the Orpington breed?A: Cook developed the Orpington to be a dual-purpose bird—an above-average egg-layer and a good table bird, with hardiness and fast growth in mind. Q: What was the first recognized color variety of Orpingtons?A: Black was the first variety, chosen because it hid the soot and grime common in London at the time. Q: When were Orpingtons first imported to the U.S.?A: Orpingtons began arriving in the United States around 1890, in small numbers. Q: When did the American Poultry Association (APA) accept Orpingtons?A: The APA accepted the Buff Orpington in 1902, followed by Black and White in 1905, and Blue in 1923. Q: Do Orpingtons come in other colors?A: Yes, aside from the APA-accepted colors, Orpingtons can also be found in unrecognized varieties like lavender (self-blue), silver laced, gold laced, partridge, and Isabel. Q: Are there bantam Orpingtons?A: Yes, the APA recognizes a bantam version of the Orpington. Q: What do Orpington chickens look like?A: Orpingtons are large, fluffy birds with a wide, rounded breast and back. Roosters average 10 pounds and hens about 8 pounds. Q: When do Orpington hens begin laying eggs, and how many can I expect?A: Orpington hens typically start laying between 6 and 8 months old and produce about 150 to 200 large cream to light brown eggs per year. Q: Are Orpingtons good for hot or cold climates?A: Both! Orpingtons are hardy and adapt well to both heat and cold. In hot climates, they need shade and cool water, while their dense feathering helps them thrive in snowy conditions. Q: Can Orpingtons be kept in confinement?A: Absolutely. Orpingtons tolerate confinement well and are known for their docile and friendly personalities, making them great for backyard flocks. – By Sarah Batz, president of the United Orpington Club |
Orpington Chicken Fun Facts
William Cook not only bred the original Black Orpingtons, but he also went on to breed four other color varieties in the breed: White, Buff, Jubilee, and Mottled. Later, his son-in-law, Mr. A. C. Gilbert, created the Blue and Cuckoo varieties.
The Buff Orpington chicken, shown by Dr. Henrietta Hooker, won a blue ribbon at its first showing at Madison Square Gardens in 1920. Three years later, in 1923, Henrietta’s daughter, Patience, took home a prize with her hen winning the title of champion Buff Orpington.
With their sweet and friendly personalities and golden colored feathers, the Buff Orpington chicken is nicknamed the Golden Retriever of the chicken world.
Orpington Chickens: Final Thoughts
The Orpington chicken has stood the test of time because of their sweet personality, quality meat and egg production. With so much to love about this breed, it’s easy to see how the Orpington became a success and continues to grow in popularity amongst backyard flock owners.
This article was written for Hobby Farms and Chickens magazines. Click here to subscribe.
