I've only ever owned 2 buff Orpingtons, so I can't really say I'm an expert, but I sure can share what I know through my experience with the two.
My first Orpington - named Emmie - was probably the sweetest thing ever. (Hard as it is to say, she was sweeter than my silkie!) She was the opposite of skittish. She didn't follow anyone, but she sure was very calm, gentle, and never even flinched when a human approached her.
Not only was she good to humans, but also to the other hens. She wasn't the top of the pecking order (she never pecked to my knowledge), but she was definitely highly respected in the flock. When she passed, the other hens did not leave her side until her body was removed. They didn't budge even for food.
She was also extremely motherly, but in only the good ways. We added a new chick to our flock (we were beginners and weren't aware of the consequences of doing this at the time) who was terrified - for good reason! - of the older hens. The only one who wasn't only not mean to her but actually took her under her wing (literally) was our Orpington, Emmie. Emmie literally became this chick's mother, and the two were inseperable. We didn't do any special tricks to make her think this chick was hers. In fact, the chick was probably about 4 weeks old when we got her! However our Orpington did not hesitate to take this young pullet in.
I don't remember her egg production well, as it was years ago, but she was a great hen and I have literally 0 negative things to say about her. Perfect pet, perfect mother, and I'm pretty sure she was a decent layer. I miss her so much!
Our current Orpington - Lemon - is sweet, but not nearly as sweet as Emmie. Her egg production is pretty decent. She started laying extremely early for most Orpingtons (about 4 months old!).
She's pretty mean to the smaller hens, and will try to sneak in a fight or two. She's also absolutely terrifying when brooding. Opening the laying boxes while she's in there will definitely wake you up as she screams nearly as loud as a rooster crows. She'll peck and bite as hard as she can if you try to move her or take her eggs. Best to just let her be.
Aside from these flaws, she's still a sweet pet....if you don't open the laying boxes on her. She's not too skittish and is perfectly comfortable when being held or pet. I can even approach her and lean over to give her pets. Doesn't phase her at all.
All in all, Orpingtons are great. It ultimately depends on their personality, but with some decent socializing they can be extremely sweet. Haven't met a skittish Orpington, yet!
Lemon, our current Orpington. Such a beautiful girl!
My first Orpington - named Emmie - was probably the sweetest thing ever. (Hard as it is to say, she was sweeter than my silkie!) She was the opposite of skittish. She didn't follow anyone, but she sure was very calm, gentle, and never even flinched when a human approached her.
Not only was she good to humans, but also to the other hens. She wasn't the top of the pecking order (she never pecked to my knowledge), but she was definitely highly respected in the flock. When she passed, the other hens did not leave her side until her body was removed. They didn't budge even for food.
She was also extremely motherly, but in only the good ways. We added a new chick to our flock (we were beginners and weren't aware of the consequences of doing this at the time) who was terrified - for good reason! - of the older hens. The only one who wasn't only not mean to her but actually took her under her wing (literally) was our Orpington, Emmie. Emmie literally became this chick's mother, and the two were inseperable. We didn't do any special tricks to make her think this chick was hers. In fact, the chick was probably about 4 weeks old when we got her! However our Orpington did not hesitate to take this young pullet in.
I don't remember her egg production well, as it was years ago, but she was a great hen and I have literally 0 negative things to say about her. Perfect pet, perfect mother, and I'm pretty sure she was a decent layer. I miss her so much!
Our current Orpington - Lemon - is sweet, but not nearly as sweet as Emmie. Her egg production is pretty decent. She started laying extremely early for most Orpingtons (about 4 months old!).
She's pretty mean to the smaller hens, and will try to sneak in a fight or two. She's also absolutely terrifying when brooding. Opening the laying boxes while she's in there will definitely wake you up as she screams nearly as loud as a rooster crows. She'll peck and bite as hard as she can if you try to move her or take her eggs. Best to just let her be.
Aside from these flaws, she's still a sweet pet....if you don't open the laying boxes on her. She's not too skittish and is perfectly comfortable when being held or pet. I can even approach her and lean over to give her pets. Doesn't phase her at all.
All in all, Orpingtons are great. It ultimately depends on their personality, but with some decent socializing they can be extremely sweet. Haven't met a skittish Orpington, yet!
Lemon, our current Orpington. Such a beautiful girl!