Orpington chicken is a english class breed developed in England. it is dual purpose breed. orpington is very good in weight gain as well as excellent layer.
The Orpington is English class breed developed in England in 1880s after that it was imported in 1890 in America. Orpington is the name of the town in London. The foundation of Orpington chicken is developed by the pure bloodline of Minorca, Plymouth Rock, and Langshan breeds.
It was the most popular breed but due to the rapid growth of the broiler industry, the Popularity of Orpington chicken is slightly decreased.
Generally, It is the dual purpose breed but primarily used for the meat. It is also an excellent layer which lays around 200 eggs in a year.
This breed is heavy but has a loose feather. because of a loose feather, they can fly a little distance.
variety of Orpington Chicken
Orpington is a single comb type. There are four varieties of Orpington. All varieties are the same characteristics but different in color. The four varieties are as follows:
- Buff
- Black
- White
- Blue
Buff variety is the most popular varieties of Orpington.
Facts and Productivity of Orpington Chicken
| Name of Breed | Orpington |
| Other Name of Breed | No |
| Origin | England |
| Development year | 1880 |
| Disposition |
Calm, Docile, Friendly and Active. |
| Variety | Buff Black White Blue. |
| Comb type | Single comb |
| Main color | Buff |
| Purpose | Dual Purpose |
| Cock weight | 4 kg to 4.5 kg ( 9 lbs to 10 lbs). |
| Cockrel weight | 3.8 kg (8.5 lbs) |
| Hen weight | 3.4 kg to 3.6 kg (7.5 lbs to 8 lbs). |
| Pullet weight | 3.1 kg (7 lbs) |
| Egg capacity per year | 190-200 eggs |
| Age at first Egg (days) | 140-150 |
| Egg weight | 50-52 g |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Skin color | White |
| Shank color | White |
| Survivability % upto 6 weeks | 98 |
Characteristics of Orpington chicken
Orpington is a dual purpose breed which is excellent in meat production as well as excellent in Egg production. It is a heavy breed which looks good in all the varieties. All the varieties have white skin.
The breed performs better in a cold environment. Orpington is a good mother as well as a good sister which is docile, calm or active in behavior. And they always show broodiness and can be used as a natural incubator. The foraging ability of Orpington is not so good.
It lays large size brown colour eggs.
Appearance of Orpington
Orpington legs are short gives them a very good appearance. Skin is white in color of all the varieties.
All varieties have a single comb type. Shanks are short or white in color. Toes are medium in length or white in color.
Head of Orpington is broad. Wattles and ear lobes are in bright red color. Wattles are well rounded equal in size and ear lobes are half of the wattles.
The beak is short and well curved or yellow in color. Eyes color is orange or oval in shape.
Color of plumage depend on the type of varieties.
Breast is deep and broad. Tail is well spread or inclined.
Egg production
Orpington is good layer. It lays brown color eggs which is large in size.
It matures on time and Generally starts laying eggs at the age of 20th to 21st week and continue lays up to 72nd to 73rd weeks. Orpington is an excellent egg layer which generally lays around 190 to 200 eggs per year per hen. It is quite good figure to make them a good layer.
It is the profitable breed for those who want to start layer farming.
The weight of first egg is noted 50 to 52 g.
Meat production of Orpington chicken
It is one of the popular breeds of white skin. It is heavy breed and largely used for meat production. The cock achieves very good weight at normal feeding. The breed is larger than Plymouth rock.
It is mainly used for meat purpose in America. The quality of the meat is well and very fine.
The average standard weight of cock ranges between 4 kg to 4.5 kg ( 9 lbs to 10 lbs).
The average standard weight of Hen ranges between 3.4 kg to 3.6 kg (7.5 lbs to 8 lbs).
Special care and management
- Follow the proper vaccination schedule for the better growth and survivability of hens and cock. So they can produce as much as eggs and meat.
- Do proper house management for the comfort of birds like proper ventilation in the house for fresh air, provide enough waterer and feeders.
- Keep all the medicine and dewormers. Deworming is basic needs for proper weight gain.
- The feed should be packed with proper nutrition, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals. The quality feed gives quality results.
Why choose Orpington?
Is Orpington good for your farm?
- it is docile, calm or friendly in behavior or very good in appearance
- Orpington is a dual purpose breed used for both meat and eggs.
- It is one of the profitable breed which gives rapid returns also full fill the nutrition requirement of the family.
- Excellent mother often shows broodiness or can be used as a natural incubator.
- Achieve very good Weight.