Buff Orpington Chickens: Breed Guide

Where the Orpington came from

According to The Livestock Conservancy, the Orpington was developed in England by William Cook, a coachman in the town of Orpington, Kent. He crossed Minorca roosters with Black Plymouth Rock hens, then bred their offspring with clean-legged Langshans, aiming for a hardy, fast-growing bird that laid well and dressed out nicely for the table. He introduced the breed in 1886.

Orpingtons reached America by 1891, and Midwestern farmers took to the Buff in particular for its table qualities and distinctive golden color. The American Poultry Association recognized the Buff in 1902, the Black and White in 1905 and the Blue in 1923. After decades of decline the breed recovered, and The Livestock Conservancy removed it from its priority conservation list in 2016.

Appearance and size

Orpingtons are big, deep-bodied birds with loose, abundant feathering that makes them look even larger than they are. The Livestock Conservancy lists typical weights of about 10 pounds for roosters and 8 pounds for hens. They have a single comb, red earlobes, clean (unfeathered) legs and a low, broad stance. Bantam Orpingtons are also bred for people with less space.

The Buff is a rich, even golden color from head to tail, which is why it dominates hatchery catalogs. Black, White and Blue are the other standard varieties in the US, and keepers also raise Lavender, Jubilee and other colors that are not all recognized by the American Poultry Association. Color does not change the breed's temperament or laying. If you are setting up for a flock, see our backyard chicken supplies.

Temperament: the gentle giant of the flock

Orpingtons are known for being calm and friendly, and many become lap chickens that follow their keepers around the yard. They tolerate handling well, which makes them a good breed for children, and they rarely fly over a standard fence. Their docile nature means they generally get along in a mixed flock, though they can be bullied by more assertive breeds.

As with any breed, individual birds vary, and roosters can become protective. Orpingtons are not especially active foragers, preferring to stay near the coop, so they suit smaller yards and confinement well. Their heavy build makes them prone to putting on weight, so go easy on treats and scratch grains.

Eggs and broodiness

The Livestock Conservancy describes Orpingtons as layers of large to extra-large brown eggs with excellent production. In practice backyard hens commonly lay three to five eggs a week, keep laying fairly well through cool weather thanks to their dense feathering, and slow in midwinter and during the molt.

Orpingtons go broody readily, which is a plus if you want to hatch chicks and a nuisance if you only want eggs. A broody Orpington is a steady, protective mother. If you do not want chicks, collect eggs daily and gently discourage a hen that refuses to leave the nest, since she will stop laying while she sits.

Housing and care

Their size means Orpingtons need more room than lighter breeds: plan at least 4 square feet per bird inside the coop and generous run space, sturdy roosting bars set fairly low, and nest boxes about 12 inches square or larger. Their thick feathering makes them very cold-hardy, but it also traps heat, so give them shade, good ventilation and plenty of water in hot weather.

Watch heavy birds for bumblefoot, a foot infection that can follow jumping down from high perches onto hard ground, and keep bedding deep and dry. Fluffy feathers can hide lice and mites, so check around the vent regularly. Call a vet who treats poultry if a hen is lethargic, stops eating, limps or shows a swelling on the foot that does not resolve.

Is the Orpington right for you?

Choose Orpingtons if you want friendly, easy-to-handle hens, a good supply of brown eggs, cold-hardy birds for a northern winter, or a dual-purpose bird that can also go to the table. The extension service notes that dual-purpose breeds like these lay reasonably well and produce males large enough for meat, which suits small family homesteads.

Look elsewhere if you need the highest egg count possible, keep birds in a very hot climate without shade, or want an active forager for a large free-range property. Many keepers pair a few Orpingtons with a production layer such as a Leghorn or sex-link to balance personality and egg numbers. Whichever birds you pick, start with the coop and nesting boxes.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace advice from a veterinarian who treats poultry.