Orpington

One of my favorite standard breeds, I can't remember a time where we haven't had at least one Orpington in our flock. They are exceptional mothers and have a very laid back disposition. Roos have usually been fairly evenly tempered in my experience. I have had a few "daring" ones, but nothing terrible (no floggings from any of them, just the occasional charge here and there). They lay nice light brown eggs, sometimes with an almost pinkish tint to them. I also appreciate the fact that they are not really hard to find, with many commercial farm stores offering them during chick season. They're huge, puffy, and all in all a pleasure to own.

I own two BO's, both very sweet animals, but not super affectionate. Both of my Orpingtons tolerate being picked up or held without much raucous, although it's not their favorite activity. They like to be around people, and each have their own personality quirks. One of them is a little shier than the other, but if I'm calm around her, she'll come right up to me for pets or possibly for snacks. They were much more social as chicks, always the first to climb on my lap when I took them out of the brooder. As they have aged they have become less attached, but are great layers and still very friendly. They lay nice big brown eggs all year, and although I have heard they can be broody, I haven't had any problems yet.

I definitely recommend these birds as pets and egg producers, but unfortunately, this is the only breed we've lost to a predator. I suppose it could happen to any bird, so this probably isn't totally fair, but the Buff Orpingtons did always seem to wander away from the rest of the flock, singling themselves out. If you are free ranging, just keep in mind that these chickens make big, tasty targets, and might need a little extra protection.

All that being said, this is my 6 year old daughter's favorite breed. They tolerate being picked up and toted around the yard by a (gentle, respectful) kindergartner just fine, and that alone says a lot about them. I find that they don't have as much personality as other breeds, but sometimes personality is a difficult thing in a chicken.

As far as looks go, they are some of the cutest chicks, and they don't lose that cuteness as hens either. They are remarkably similar in looks though. We originally had different names for our Orpingtons, but we ended up calling them "Big Buffy" and "Little Buffy", because they were very hard to tell apart.

They were great egg producers though, with an egg nearly every day. They did tend to go broody sometimes - maybe three to five times a year. Nothing terrible.

Very hardy, healthy birds!

I just got my lavender orpington, Lilly, and I am so glad I did!! She is probably the sweetest chicken I have ever had. I don't know how well they lay yet because she is just 11 days old.

I love the Orpingtons. They are so friendly, and great with children! They are decent layers, and are the sweetest birds ever.

my buff orpington was a hen and her name was Karen, I raised her from a chick and she was my 1st chicken I ever had and she was the tamest and friendliest one, too. I was going to show her at th fair along with my ducks but a raccoon ate her

Orpingtons Are Amazing, They Are My Favorite Chicken Breed, I Especially Love The Buff Orpingtons

Great chickens, different personalities easy to tell apart, when they do go broody just boot them out of the nest a couple of times or take the eggs and have them watch. Mine would just go crap oh well time to go eat some more. LOL I have one we call Bitey and she is a little more dominate but Bitey is always trying to help me with what ever I am doing. A couple of times I have been working inside my wife's car and I look up to see Bitey standing in the car looking at what I am doing. Now if I can just get her to hand me the correct wrench......

such friendly birds mine eat right out of my hand. and you cant go wrong with them. good egg production, good meat bird if your into that, and great sellers if raising chicks

Annabelle

Kiwi

I have a Buff Orpington named Annabelle who is a very great chicken. She is an okay layer, and very pretty, kind, and smart. I also have a Buff Orpington cross named Kiwi who is a good layer, beautiful, funny, smart, and kind. Overal I think Orpingtons are a great breed and I would certainly love more of them!

I LOVE ORPINGTONS!

There are so many varied colors and I am collecting and want to breed them all.

My chocolates are so docile and friendly. As a matter of fact my rooster loves to be petted. He even courted me the other day with a little dance. (thank goodness he has never jumped on me!)

My blue recently died and I am sad as I was going to breed him this year with a purebred. I will get more eggs for hatching and start over.

My buffs have always been excellent layers.

Gold laced are excellent layers as well.

I do not have a partridge, but I have heard they lay poorly. Probably why they are difficult and expensive to get.

I have never eaten my orpingtons, but they are a heavy breed and are great dual purpose birds.

This year my goal is to grow my chocolate, blue and gold laced flocks and to acquire a silver laced pair!

The best Breed of Chicken to start off with. most hens are very good layers. the roosters are very protective and theyre not high strung at all like some are and there actually pretty quiet as far as crowing goes.

Orpingtons are awesome! My orpington, Henrietta, was sweet and kind. She bonded with other chickens and was not a problem in the pecking order. Orpingtons vey soft, with lose feathers, making them great for holding. They are not the best layers, but I recommend them to chicken owners who want to keep their birds as pets and still get a decent amount of eggs each week.

Here are some pictures of Henrietta:

Is this normal for others to use photos that belong to others, I take a lot of pride in my photography work ...and sell my work locally and work privately to help with small expenses. I don't mind that my photos appear from time to time but is this just a coincidence that my photos of my English Orpingtons are being used over and over on this website? or perhaps this is all normal....I wouldn't mind being given credit for my work. Just like any one else I'm glad my photos are good enough that others are joining in and using them....I do enter my photos all over the different competitions and different countries, I would hope my photos are not being stolen and I'm not given the credit that I deserved. I'm hoping there is a simple answer to all of this. As I have no reasoning to stop sharing my photos with others. I have a huge passion for all chickens and would like to continue taking photos for others. Any insight on any of this would be helpful! Thank you! Autumn Farm English Orpingtons

I had five of these and three are now dead two I don't know why one from a raccoon and now one is VERY sick and none have ever been good layers and some can be easily scared.I have been very disappointed with this breed and don't recommend them unless their just pets.They are very beautiful though and can be very affectionate(depending on the bird).

I Actually Gave Only Two Stars

Love my 2 buffs, they are by far the friendliest of my 5 chickens, very well behaved, rarely escape the run and always let me pick them up and let my 1.5 year old pet them!

little orps real name is applesauce. she will come when i call her ??!!she will sit in my lay for all eternity if she could. peanut butter is skiddish and the stud when it comes to our roos thats what makes her hate every one even her hen friends. thats all i got to say BEST BIRDS EVER
orpluvr

I got this breed because I really wanted a flock of chickens that would be friendly, run up to cuddle, etc. But, even though my little girl was hand-raised from a day old, she won't come near any humans, tolerates the other chickens, and pecks (not in a curious way, in an aggressive way) every moving object. She is also the bossiest chicken in my flock; the leader of the coop. I was just really looking forward to having an Orpington after everything I've heard about them, but mine is nothing like the majority of them. Oh well, I'm considering buying another Orpington chick and trying again to get a friendly one

**UPDATE**
My girl is all grown up now. She is still slightly aggressive, but has seemed to mellow out and will occasionally let you cuddle her. She was my first hen to start laying. She started in the middle of winter! Nice, light brown eggs. They are a bit on the small side, but are gradually growing in size. Each day I get an egg from her, no fail. Great egg producer! But just not the friendliest of my flock... :/