Description
The Orpington breed was developed in Orpington, England, as a hardy, fast growing, dual-purpose chicken. In the United States the first buff Orpingtons appeared at exhibition in 1899. Three years later, the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection admitted the buff Orpington exhibition type in 1902. Buff was the first of the four Standard color varieties (buff, black, white, and blue), and is still the most popular.
For exhibition, proper plumage is essential. The feathers should be broad and smooth, but without excessive length or fluff. The skin, beak, shanks, and feet are white.
The Orpington is a large breed — mature males weigh 10 pounds, mature females weigh 8 pounds. Yet these massive chickens in general have a calm disposition. The hens lay medium-size eggs in shades of light to dark brown. They tend toward broodiness and make excellent mothers.
For information about exhibiting Orpington chickens visit the United Orpington Club website.
Cackle Hatchery® Breeding Farms obtained our outstanding show-quality breeding stock from well-known Orpington exhibitor Fred Farthing. You can secure your order of buff Orpington exhibition type chicks as early as late November for delivery any time between early February through October.
We also offer the following:
tfleuter –
Ordered 4 chicks, lucked out and all were pullets. They are 20 weeks old now and very healthy, large and fluffy. Beautiful hens that should be laying soon. Great addition to my current flock.
Dena Sorensen –
I bought my daughter some of these chickens after we saw them in Switzerland last summer. They are adorable and have such sweet personalities. They follow her around and like her to pet them. They haven’t started laying yet, so I can’t comment on that. I do enjoy watching them run around after bugs because the fluffy feathers on their backsides make them look hilarious. I’ve raised chickens for many years and never cared what they looked like, or their temperament but these are by far the cutest chickens we’ve ever had. I also bought a bunch of the regular buff Orpington hens and they seem so boring next to the exhibition ones.