History
The black Orpington was created from Minorcas, Plymouth Rocks and Langshans by William Cook. He introduced the new hybrid in 1886 and
named it after his home in Kent. The white Orpington followed three years later. White was not a particularly fashionable
colour at the time and the more popular buff Orpington was introduced later. The Queen Mother was an Orpington keeper.
Behaviour
Orpingtons like to be free range. They have a very strong tendency to go broody and make good mothers.
Orpingtons are greedy birds and need exercise to keep fit. Their wingspan is short so they can be kept in with low fences.
Varieties
The standard colours for Orpingtons are black (single or rose comb), blue (laced), buff and white. Orpingtons are a loosely
feathered bird which makes them look large. The blues and blacks are the largest birds and the buffs and whites slightly smaller. The dark
colours have dark eyes and legs while the lighter colours have red eyes and white legs.
Egg colour: tinted
