Orpington chickens - photo and description of varieties, breed features

I plan to work closely with poultry and would like to breed the Orpington breed. Please tell us what the Orpington chickens are, photos and descriptions of their species, if any. What is their egg production and maximum weight and are there any features of care?

Orpington chickens, photos and descriptions of which you will find in the article, are a versatile meat and egg breed. They are distinguished by fast growth and high taste of meat. The bird gains weight quickly, while the hens are also good layers. And the calm nature of these birds puts the breed an order of magnitude higher than other cocky birds.

Orpington chickens - photo and description of the breed

Orpingtons differ from other species in physique and plumage. They are characterized by a low body position and short powerful legs, widely spaced to the sides. The shoulders, chest and lower back are wide, which gives the body a rectangular shape. On a powerful body sits a small head, adorned with a leaf-shaped standing crest of scarlet color. It has 4 to 6 teeth. The color of the beak and paws depends on the type of orpington, as well as the color of the eyes, which can be red or black. Another feature of the breed is its lush and hard plumage. And also a short tail, even in roosters.

The breed first appeared in England and was originally black in color. As a result of crossing with Cochinchins, yellow chickens appeared, and with Leghorns, white chickens.

Orpington species

The color of its plumage also depends on the type of breed. Moreover, poultry farmers carefully reject individuals that have deviations from the original color.

There are such orpingtons:

1. Black - plumage black, with a green tint. Beak and metatarsus are dark gray, eyes are black or brown.
2. Black-bordered - dark brown feathers have a black border along the contour. Cast in red. Metatarsus and beak are light.
3. White with light metatarsals and beak.
4. Marble - there is a white check mark on the tips of the black feathers. She "paints" a marble pattern on the plumage.
5. Yellow with shiny plumage and orange eyes.
6. Porcelain or chintz - red-brown feathers have white dots along the edge.
7. Blue with dove-gray plumage with black edging at the edges. The neck is darker, gray, the same beak and paws.
8. Striped (they are hawkish) with black glossy feathers with white speck.
9. Chocolate - the color of coffee with milk with a subtle white stripe.

Productivity and content features

The bird has a calm character, does not fly. It does not row in the ground and can walk in the garden after the plants have sprouted. Roosters are not pugnacious. Laying hens begin to lay eggs from 6 months, up to 180 pieces per year. Eggs weighing up to 50 g with brown shells. Orpingtons are good brood hens. Chickens gain weight quickly and are even prone to obesity. Rooster weight 5-6 kg, chicken - 4 kg.

After reaching 3 years egg production decreases sharply.

Orpingtons need good lighting and are afraid of drafts. Since they do not fly and are heavy, the perch should be no higher than 50 cm. With good bedding in case of a fall.

You need to feed the bird with whole grains, as well as crushed grain with whey. Vegetables are added during the season (cucumbers, pumpkin, cabbage, zucchini, beets, apples).

Orpington chickens - breeding features