Large & Bantam Orpingtons

I’ve been keeping Orpingtons for 6 years now, and plan on keeping them forever! I currently keep, breed and exhibit 6 colours. If you have never kept Orpingtons before here is a brief insight into the breed.

 

They come in many different colours but the recognized colours in the UK at the moment are Buff Orpingtons, Blue Orpingtons, Black Orpingtons and White Orpingtons. There are many more non standardised colours like Gold Laced, Cuckoo, Crele, Lavender… the list really does go on. I have also just created the first Blue Mottled Orpington in the world I believe.

 

If you choose to keep Orpingtons you will soon realize that they are big, fluffy and super friendly - mine frequently try to enter the kitchen. They lay a reasonable 120-140 eggs per year so they do pay for their keep - plus they also make brilliant mothers!

 

Shown below are some photographs and a descriptions about each colour I keep.


Blue Orpingtons

The quality of these birds varies but as you can see from the photos we keep very good examples of the colour. Breeding blue x blue you will hatch 25% Splash Orpington, 25% Black Orpington and 50% Blue Orpington.

 

Sometimes I have the breeding pen setup with Black hens over a Splash cockerel - this producing 100% Blue Orpington chicks. As with all Orpingtons they are very docile and placid.

 

>> more photos


 

Black Orpingtons

Probably my favorite colour of Orpington, I have been breeding and showing Black Orpingtons for 4 years now, the best result to date was a 2nd at the Federation Poultry Show.

 

My Black Orpingtons always have good top colour - when I say top colour this is the beetle green sheen you see through out the top of the bird. I always breed black x black resulting in 100% Black chicks.

 

Orpingtons are incredibly docile and Blacks especially look amazing running around the garden.


 

Buff Orpingtons

The second colour of Orpington to arrive in the UK after the blacks. Exhibition buffs like these are hard to come by and are the most popular colour in Orpingtons. They lay 150-180 creamy pale eggs per year and are a real pleasure to look after, they also love being handled and though they wouldn't agree they soon come round to the idea of being cuddle.

 

>> more photos


 

Gold Laced Orpingtons
Gold Laced Orpingtons (and Black Orpingtons) are my favourite colours, the Gold Laced are truly stunning to look at. My particular strain came from Germany, I travelled to Hannover in late 2008 to bring a new improved bloodline to the UK and without a doubt you can see the difference. My breeding birds I can safely say are the best in the country, my hen took 1st prize at the Federation in the AOC Class. I have orders until 2010 but may have some spare eggs later in the year.

 

Crele Orpingtons

Probably my favourite colour, David Pownall imported them as eggs in around 2006. He kept and bred them for 2-3 years and I was then lucky enough to take over his breeding birds and start breeding them in 2008, this particular strain has the wingbar which is in line with the correct markings according to the European standards.

 

If you’re looking for a unique Orpington this is the one for you!

 

>> more photos


 

Chocolate Orpington

What was the rarest colour in the world is now probably the most popular, still a pretty bird just more sensibly priced. Same temperment as all Orpingtons just a lovely chocolate colour.


 

White Orpingtons

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Blue Orpington (bantam)

Bantam Blue Orpingtons a smaller version of their big brother the Large Blue Orpington, these birds are fantastic and my hot tip for the most popular colour this year 2011.

>> more photos