Many heritage chicken breeds are endangered and are hard to find, but the orpingtons (buff, black, white, and blue) are increasing in popularity in the United States and are easier for the backyard breeder to buy.
History of the Orpington
William Cook, a poultry breeder and publisher from the village of Orpington in County Kent, England, introduced the Orpington chicken breed in 1886. By breeding Black Minorcas, Black Plymouth Rocks, and Langshans, he produced a black bird with slate gray legs and a single comb. The birds were dual purpose birds, meaning that they were both excellent egg layers and of a good size for meat production.
In the 1890s, when Orpingtons were first introduced to America, the standard chicken had yellow skin and legs. Breeders initially feared that Americans wouldn't accept the black legs and white skins of Black Orpingtons or the white or pink legs and white skin of Buff and White Orpingtons.
Through the zealous use of his printing press, both through books (The Poultry Keeper's Account Book) and his periodical (The Poultry Journal), Cook overcame American's initial prejudice against the breed. By the time of his death in 1904, the Orpington breed was on its way to becoming one of the most popular birds in the United States.
Unfortunately, the Orpington's popularity declined along with all the heritage chicken breeds after breeders focused more on looks than production. The rise of industrial farming also helped to drive the breed to the edge of extinction. Today, dedicated backyard breeders have revived the breed, and it is ranked as "recovering" by the American Poultry Association.
The Orpington's Temperament
The Orpington is a friendly, tolerant chicken. It can be raised in confinement or as a free range bird where predation isn't a large problem. They do have a strong survival instinct, though, and head for their coop at the first sign of danger. Orpingtons are calm and make good mothers. Pullets go broody (sit on eggs in order to hatch them) frequently.
Other Orpington Colors
Originally, Orpingtons came in many colors, such as ermine, jubilee, partridge, cuckoo, and red, not just the black, blue, buff, and white found today. The Buff Orpington, with its golden or buff-colored feathers, has long dominated the breed, however.
Standards of Orpington Breeds
Cocks average about 10 pounds but can reach 11 pounds. Pullets average 8 pounds. They are clean legged and have a single comb, which is medium-sized with five points. Its wattles and earlobes are red and are medium sized. Orpingtons' feathers are broad and full but lie smoothly against their bodies. They are deep-chested birds whose back rises near the tail.
- Black Orpington: Beak is black, eyes are brown, legs are black in young birds but slate gray in mature chickens, plumage is black.
- Buff Orpington: Beak is pink to white, eyes are reddish brown, legs are pink to white, plumage is buff.
- White Orpington: Beak is pinkish white, eyes are reddish brown, legs are pinkish white, plumage is white.
- Blue Orpington: Beak is black, eyes are brown, legs are leaden blue, plumage is bluish slate.
Sources
Ekarius, Carol. Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing, 2007.
Mary Beth Miller - Mary Beth Miller is the author of two Young Adult novels from Dutton Children's Books, Aimee (2002) and On the Head of a Pin (2006). Some ...
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