The Orpington is a large, fluffy English breed developed in the 1880s in Orpington, Kent. Available in buff, black, blue, and white varieties, they are prized for their exceptionally calm and docile temperament, generous egg-laying, and tendency to go broody. One of the most beloved backyard chicken breeds in the world.
My Orpington hen Doris has successfully raised three batches of chicks in two years. She's the most devoted, determined broody hen — she sits through everything and raises her chicks with fierce protectiveness. Orpingtons' natural broodiness makes them ideal if you want to hatch eggs and have a hen …
Read full review →I've kept Orpingtons continuously for eight years and they remain my favourite backyard breed. I've tried Rhode Island Reds (productive but pushy), Silkies (beautiful but lower layers), and various hybrids (excellent layers but less character). Nothing matches the Orpington combination of docility, …
Read full review →Buff Orpingtons look like living clouds — big, fluffy, warm-golden birds that move around the garden with great dignity. Three of mine provide 4–5 eggs per week between them consistently. They free range happily, never destroy the garden aggressively, and don't attempt to fly over our low picket fen…
Read full review →Orpingtons are beautiful, but in a wet British winter their fluffy leg and body feathering becomes a muddy maintenance challenge. After heavy rain their plumage is sodden and they look sorry for themselves. I've improved their run with hardstanding and raised sheltered areas which has helped signifi…
Read full review →My Orpingtons lay reliably through autumn and winter — something not all breeds manage. They slow down in the shortest days but maintain production better than my Leghorns ever did. More importantly, they're extraordinarily friendly. Two of mine fly up onto my arm when I enter the run and one has ta…
Read full review →Orpingtons love their food and will overeat if given unlimited access to high-calorie feed. Two of my original three became quite round and one developed mobility issues as a result. I now use a measured pellet ration supplemented with fresh greens and their weight and health improved dramatically. …
Read full review →Our three Buff Orpingtons are the gentlest chickens imaginable. My three-year-old walks amongst them daily and they tolerate her curiosity with serene patience. They've never pecked her, never flapped at her, and seem genuinely relaxed with children. The eggs are enormous and a beautiful deep brown.…
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