Orpingtons from Sunnyside Up Micro-Farm
Large Fowl: Blue, Lavendar, Chocolate, Crele/Legbar,
English Blue & English Lavendar
Bantams: Chocolate
The docile, quiet, calm dual purpose Orpington breed is a large, heavy bird weighing
from seven to ten pounds. The soft, abundant plumage almost hides the legs. The
head is small with a single, erect comb having five distinct points. The darker
colors have dark eyes and legs, while the paler colors have red eyes and white legs.
The chickens are not particularly fast to feather up. Their docile nature makes
them popular for families with small children. There is a bantam variety.
From the side, the impression is of a U shape underbody and a short back
which appears somewhat concave. The tail is compact and short, the feathers
rising high and sweeping over to the rear. The gentle curves and soft
feathering make for a very attractive bird. They are friendly and with such
fluffy plumage continue to thrive and produce well in cold weather.
The Orpington continues to lay through winter. Broodiness is
a trait with the Orpington and they are good mothers and they cope well when
confined. There will be no doubt there is a visible difference between the
American and English Orps. The English tend to have a shorter back and are much
fluffier with fuller skirts.
Information on Chocolate Genetic Breeding:
Pure Chocolate cockerel x Pure Chocolate hen = Gives 100%
Chocolates (male and female).
Pure Chocolate cockerel x Pure Black hen = 50% black male (spilt
blacks) with chocolate gene and 50% chocolate hens.
Pure Black cockerel x Pure Chocolate hen = Gives ALL Black
Offspring, but the Males (split blacks) with Chocolate gene, Hens will
be pure black.
Split Black cockerel (carrying chocolate gene) x Pure
Chocolate hen = Gives 50% Pure Chocolates (males and females)
and 25% Black split males (carrying Choc gene) 25% Pure Black
females.
Split Black cockerel (carrying Chocolate gene) x Black hen =
Gives 25% Pure black cockerels, 25% Black split males (unable to tell
which males have the gene), 25% Pure black females, 25% Pure
Chocolate females. The Chocolate gene is a sex linked recessive mutant gene, so
the females cannot hide the gene. If they possess the choc gene, they will be
Chocolate. Males, however can be carriers and require two copies to be visually
Chocolate.
The color was first seen from an all black mating and is believed to be a rare sex
linked recessive gene. These birds are quite striking and one of my favorites!
Our bantam Chocolate Orpingtons are a medium bantam breed weighing in 3-4 lbs.
Pictured Here our Chocolate Orpington Bantams (medium bantam breed)