Chicken Breed Series #5–Orpingtons

Orpingtons…Buff, Blue, Black, or White

Next in this series of chicken breeds varieties is the Orpingtons. This breed is a very popular breed due to their friendliness, egg laying habits, and they dress out well when used for cooking.    This is a large bird and when full grown weighs in at approximately 8 lbs. for a standard size. The bantam size weighs approximately 2 lbs. full grown.

Let’s don’t forget how beautiful they are.  They come in a variety of colors and all are beautiful to look at.  I have on my wish list some blue orpingtons.  I presently have two six week old buff orpington chicks that are looking like hens.  From what I have read and heard, everyone says they are the curious and very friendly in nature.  I look forward to experiencing their personalities first hand with the two I presently am raising.

Here are a few other features that may appeal to you when deciding your breeds of chicken:

• Good brooder and good mother
• Lays medium to large brown eggs
• Handles easily and sweet, gentle temperament–makes great pets
• Very cold hardy
• Dual purpose breed (meat and eggs)
• Single comb
• Adaptable to free range or confinement

Here’s a picture of another variety of the breed…

I love the looks of this egg laying chicken breed. The feathers and the way they carry themselves is gorgeous. I can already imagine having some of these exquisite chickens and showing them in the fair. Our next fair is in April next year so I don’t think I will make it then but maybe in 2010!

If you are in search of a good egg laying chicken breed packaged with a sweet nature and good disposition, this is the breed for your backyard.  Excellent pets!

I recently bought my friend a pair of Buff Orpingtons.  At first she didn’t want the rooster because she was scared of him but when she saw how calm and friendly he was and how I was holding him in my arms, she decided to take him too.  This pair is where my two young chicks came from.

I haven’t chosen the next chicken breed to write about yet, so if you have a favorite breed you would like to share with the readers, please send over the picture with a little information about the breed.

Tags: chicken breeds