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Buff Orpington Standard

Standard Orpington

Buff

  • Originated from Orpington, England
  • Mature weigh between 3.5 – 5.8(rooster)kg
  • Large to XL size egg around 60 – 75 g
  • Slow maturing – first egg around 8 to 9 months
  • Light/cream coloured eggs, expected to lay between 180-200 per year,
  • Broodiness – Mid to high
  • Maintenance – Low
Orpington is a heritage breed renowned for its gentle disposition, attractive appearance, and excellent egg-laying capabilities. Developed in the late 19th century in Orpington, Kent, England, by William Cook, this breed quickly gained popularity among poultry enthusiasts. They come in several color varieties, including black, white, buff, blue, and splash. They are known for their fluffy feathers, broad bodies, and low-slung appearance, which gives them a stately and dignified presence.

These chickens are prized for their dual-purpose qualities, they lay lightly tinted eggs of good size and are consistent layers during season if they are not broody, making them a favorite among backyard flock owners and small-scale farmers.

Orpingtons are also valued for their calm and docile temperament, making them excellent pets and suitable for families with children. They are known to be friendly, sociable birds that enjoy human interaction and are relatively easy to handle. They do tolerate cold climate reasonably well due to their thick plumage that provides warmth but this can also overheat during extreme heat. Overall, the Orpington chicken is a beloved breed cherished for its beauty, productivity, and amiable nature, making it a popular choice for poultry keepers.

We have been working on our Buff Orpingtons since 2020 while maintaining strong genetic diversity. Our bloodlines include Sonya Ford, Hayden Vincent, and Venessa from Chirpy Chicken Poultry. Many breeders across Australia have incorporated Buff Orpingtons from our line into their breeding programs, and our birds have been successfully exhibited by customers in various occasions in recent years.

Please see Orpington – Open Poultry Standard Australia for more info and breed standards.

Buff Orpington Chicks

Buff Standard Orpington day-old chicks hatch with a deep golden base color. Some may exhibit faint chipmunk lines at the back and freckles on the head, while others hatch solid gold. As they grow, they all transition to a solid buff color. These markings are a result of genetic variegation from previous generations in relation to the buff coloring.

Related post Buff Orpington Sexing Tips

Buff Orpington offspring genetic throwback note 2025/26 season

Since the 2024/2025 season, we’ve noticed a small percentage of Buff Orpington chicks hatching with wheaten or light partridge-like markings. Having bred Buff Orpingtons for the past three seasons, we’ve maintained the original bloodline from Chirpy Chicken Poultry while introducing new genetics from the Ford and Vincent lines. This colour variation had not occurred prior to the 2024 season, and none of our current breeding birds are expressing this trait.

To maintain strong buff colouring, breeders often introduce new genetics with richer pigmentation to prevent the buff colour from fading over time. Some choose to use black birds, while others incorporate partridge lines. We believe this variation may be a genetic throwback related to those historical breeding practices carried out generations ago. Please rest assured, this is not the result of crossbreeding, but rather a natural genetic occurrence and most of the offspring will express true clean buff feathers with good depth in colour. These chicks will still grow into good-sized, healthy birds with deep buff colouring, though they may retain some unique early markings.

We plan to further investigate our breeding pens to identify and reduce carriers of this trait in coming season while maintaining deep buff colouring. We are sharing this information openly so our customers can make an informed decision before purchasing our eggs or birds.

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