Orpingtons

 

The original Orpington, the Black, was developed in England in 1886 and brought to the US in 1890. It was developed from Langshan-Rock-Minorca crosses. Today Buff, Black, White, and Blue Orpingtons are recognized.

Developed as a dual purpose breed, Orpingtons make fair table fowl and are excellent winter layers of large brown eggs. They have very laid back personalities and make good pets. I've heard that the Buffs are especially good in this regard.

"Alfred," a Buff Orpington cock
Photo courtesy of Judy Witney

 



Breed clubs:
United Orpington Club
Don Chandler
201 English Mt. Rd
Newport, TN 37821
e-mail: doncharlott@bellsouth.net


The Buff Orpington Club
P. E. Smedley
Leckby House, Flaxton, York,
North Yorkshire YO6 7QZ
England
phone: 01904-468387
e-mail: phil.boy@virgin.net

Nederland Sussex, Orpington en Dorking Club
-- in Dutch only

The Orpington Club
Andrew Richardson
Black Lane, Head Farm, Nateby,
Preston, Lancs PR3 0LH
England
phone: 01253-790468
e-mail: andrew.srichardson@virgin.net

The Orpington Club of Australia
Dallas Smith
35 Apple Tree Rd.
Holmsville
NSW 2286, Australia
e-mail: deejayess@hunterlink.net.au

 


Orpington Links:

Poultry Downunder has a page on Orpingtons

Kitaline Farm's Buff Orpingtons

Little House Poultry Farm's Orpington page

These are Rob van Erkel's Orpingtons -- page in English and Dutch

Towles' Buff Orphington Hatchery

Orpingtons at Devonshire Traditional Breed Centre

Orpingtonmania -- in French and English

Another Orpington page from The Netherlands -- also in English

Buff Orpingtons at Hinkjc's Mountain Poultry

Old UK Orpington Club pages


Orpington Books:

The Orpington Fowl by Will Burdett & Joseph Batty, 1998, 168 pp., Beech Publishing, 7 Station Yard, Elsted Marsh, Midhurst GU29 0JT, England, ISBN: 1857363434. This large folio covers the entire history of the breed, both in the UK and abroad. Will Burdett is considered "Mr. Orpington" in the UK and is also the keeper of the Queen Mother's Orpingtons. This large and excellent volume is a must for all orpington fanciers. It also covers all the varieties and has chapters on breeding, feeding and rearing.


A Buff Orpington female

A pair of Black Orpingtons from Australia, owned by Max Wilkinson
Photos courtesy of John Fox

A Buff Orpington rooster
Photo courtesy of Matt Collum

A Mottled Orpington
Photo courtesy of Sivert S. Almvik

A flock of Buff Orpington cockerels in the UK
Photo courtesy of Rupert Stephenson

And a flock of Buff Orpinton pullets in the UK
Photo courtesy of Rupert Stephenson

"Andi," my Splash Orpington bantam hen

A Black cock and Blue hen
Photo courtesy of Owen Goodfellow

A White Orpington rooster
Photo courtesy of Rupert Stephenson

A Buff Orpington cockerel
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall

A Blue Orpington flock with the hens wearing protective saddles
Photo courtesy of Rupert Stephenson

Five-month-old Blue Orpington bantam pullets
Photo courtesy of Judy Witney

Orpingtons from Italy: Black and Blue hens and a Buff rooster
Photos courtesy of Francesco Murru

A Gold Laced Orpington pullet
Photo courtesy of Frances A. Bassom

Lavender Orpingtons, developed in the UK by Priscilla Middleton
Photos courtesy of Frances A. Bassom

And here are the Lavender girls -- pullets on the left and a hen on the right
Photos courtesy of Frances A. Bassom

A young pair of Blue Orpingtons
Photo courtesy of J. Gettle

A Buff Orpington cockerel ready for a nap
Champion English at Columbus '98, owned by Bill Ryan
Photo courtesy of Beth Adams

A pair of Black Orpington bantams
Photos courtesy of Robert Stephenson

This Buff Orpington cockerel was Best in Show at a UK event in 2003
Photo courtesy of Rupert Stephenson

Here's another nice Buff Orpington hen
Photo courtesy of Pam Marshall

This Buff Orpington cockerel was Best in Show at a UK event in 2002
Photo courtesy of Robert Stephenson

A Silver-laced Orpington trio, developed in the UK by Priscilla Middleton
Photo courtesy of Frances A. Bassom

A Blue Orpington rooster
Photo courtesy of Robbie Wilson

Splash Orpington pullets
Photo courtesy of Rupert Stephenson

Blue Orpington bantam pullets
Photos courtesy of NannyP

Mottled Orpingtons
Photos courtesy of Priscilla Middleton and Frances A. Bassom

Amos's White Orpington rooster "Snowball" with a friend
Photo courtesy of Amos C.

Orpingtons from Uruguay: the head of a Black hen and a four-month-old Blue pullet
Photos courtesy of Edgar Rodriguez

"Henny Penny," a Buff Orpington hen and family
Photo courtesy of Jane Cave

A Buff cockerel crowing about his offspring!
Photo courtesy of Grant Brereton

Six-week-old Buff Orpingtons
Photo courtesy of Nathan Turner


Buff Orpington chicks
Photo courtesy of Taryn Koerker

A Buff Orpington chick
Photo courtesy of Peggy Moore

A Blue Orpington bantam chick
Photo courtesy of NannyP

Here's Page's Buff Orpington chick
Photo courtesy of Page Johnson

A Black Orpington chick
Its toes were curled, so they're being "splinted" to straighten them
Photo courtesy of John Fox and Max Wilkinson

Another Buff Orpington chick
Photo courtesy of Susan O'Connor

Buff Orpington bantam chick
Photo courtesy of Senia

A Jubilee Orpington chick from the UK
Photo courtesy of Irene

Mottled Orpington chicks
Photos courtesy of Priscilla Middleton and Frances A. Bassom


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