Lavender Orpingtons...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rebecca Tando on April 20, 2011 at 7:24am

I think they are rare, having not been around longer than about ten years, so not too many are available.  The lavender gene is "normal-recessive" and it takes some breeding and culling to get a good strain going.  They're beautiful!!  And I just love the disposition of the Orpington.

Permalink Reply by kristin clapper on April 20, 2011 at 8:01am

My boyfreinds parents just ordered about 15 Buff Orpingtons and they are so sweet and docile! You can walk right up to them and pick them up! The Lavenders are beautiful!!

Permalink Reply by rachel whetzel on April 20, 2011 at 2:32pm

They are pretty rare I think. I relatively new breed in the world of chickens. Pretty too.

Permalink Reply by Lynn S on April 20, 2011 at 3:11pm

Actually, Lavender Orpingtons are not a breed but a variety simply based on color. They're being bred now in a small breeding program but they're more of a 'collectible' or a novelty due to their color.

 

Lavender Orpingtons would be considered a variety within the Orpington breed but I don't believe they're even recognized yet.   Here is the blurb on the Orpingtons as a breed, as noted by the AmericanLivestock Breed Conservancy:

http://albc-usa.org/cpl/orpington.html

 

We've had Orpingtons for 20 years or more and yes, they're gentle, good layers (good in winter), and dual purpose.

Permalink Reply by rachel whetzel on April 20, 2011 at 3:12pm

Variety. That's what I meant. Sorry for the confusion!

Permalink Reply by Erin Mitchell on April 20, 2011 at 6:43pm

They are gorgeous. We love our buff and we have an austrolorpe (an orpington mixed breed). The austrolorpe is our best layer (1 a day) As beautiful as they are, I'm not sure I want to pay $35.00/pair :)

Permalink Reply by Jodie Westwood on April 22, 2011 at 12:11pm

Hi Erin - I ordered "rare" breeds pack from McMurray and received one.  It is a recessive gene color that doesnt happen very often.  The breed (to my understanding) is about 10 years old.  I have such a odd group coming up right now - I cant help but wonder what will happen when I let them hatch eggs. 

Permalink Reply by Lynn S on April 22, 2011 at 2:55pm

Erin, Cross your own or gear up to begin crossing some -- there are some beautiful backyard birds across America with gorgeous plumage! 

Would like to know what other people are raising -- breeds, crosses, etc.  Over the years, I've had about 10 different breeds, most have been the minor breeds as recognized by the ALBC. I've tried a few of the Leghorns (too hyper for me) and some other Mediterannean breeds but have to say those Heavy breeds are my favorites for disposition and egg laying qualities. The Orpingtons have become quite the popular small flock bird now. Overall, our best dual-purpose and gentle birds have been the Australorps and Orpingtons.  That's what we have now and they're in their 2nd year, having gone through their moult in Jan-Feb.  Now that these are to be phased out, we'll bring new ones in. We currently don't have a rooster (many get downright aggressive) but I'm thinking about perpetuating my own flock and crossing some 'just for fun'. All of the roosters we've grown out have been held against the very high standards of a pet Orpington rooster named "Orville". lol

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by rachel whetzel on April 22, 2011 at 3:13pm

Lynn, you might be interested in this article... it's basically using rooster behaviors to keep your roosters as the 2nd in command (which is a more docile position) and you as the 1st in command... I got my rooster at 6 months old, and he has stayed very easy going for me. I know some of this is plain old temperament, but I've been using these techniques since he came, and so have my kids. He's watchful of his hens, but not aggressive toward any of us.

I have no idea what my hens are. I have a few that I think are SLW crosses, and one that might be jersey giant cross... a couple that are BO crosses, and my rooster is God knows what... lol He was posted at the PO as a "Dominecker", but he has a single comb and splashes of brown in his feathering. NONE of the chicks look anything like the chickens I have, really!! lol One of them is even a white color, only the white looks like it's got a bit of the "lavender" to it... really pretty. I'm hoping it's a pullet. I'll be keeping that one if it is.

Permalink Reply by Jodie Westwood on April 22, 2011 at 3:26pm

My "dueling" rooster was beautiful but after continued leg scars he just had to go.  He had a single comb, red and yellow feathers and stood 3' tall when he wanted to.  "Uno" being the only egg to hatch, thus is name, is just as big with yellow feathers only and a comb that looks more like a crown.  3 large rows and 2 smaller on each side.  I have not seen another rooster comb like it.  What kind do you suppose he is?