Description of the breed of chickens orpington

Orpington belongs to the meat and egg direction, is well-defined, stable and widespread. The bird of this breed differs markedly from other chickens in characteristic features, the description and photo of which is presented below.

Description of the breed

The characteristics of the breed make it attractive for breeding.

Appearance

Bird any colors white-skinned, massive, with a cubic body on the legs of medium length. The head is round, small, with an erect, leaf-shaped crest, small red lobes and earrings. The eyes are black, brown, orange, correlated with the color of the plumage. The neck is strong and smoothly extends towards the shoulders and chest, forming a curved line with the back and tail. The chest and abdomen are voluminous, the back is wide, the tail is short.

Temperament

Orpingtons are calm, livable birds. They are not wary of a person. They put up well with different living conditions. The best performance is achieved with aviary keeping, when there is a possibility of daily walking. Adaptation to a new place is good.

It is important that chickens of this breed - good hens... In this way, the herd itself can ensure the reproduction of the livestock. When changing generations, a change of rooster is required for the purity of the breed.

Usage

Chickens of this breed are bred mainly on personal plots and in small farms for self-sufficiency in meat and eggs. Under optimal conditions, this is the best source of meat and eggs for the family table.

Characteristics

Rooster weight orpingtons reaches 4 - 4.5 kg, chickens - 1 kg less. With the breed's tendency to rapidly gain weight, these indicators are achieved without problems. If you do not control the physical activity of the bird and its diet, then excess weight is possible. However, this is not a desirable phenomenon, since in this case, the chicken has an excess of fat, not meat.

The egg production of the breed is average: up to 160 eggs in the first year with a downward trend of 15 - 20% in each subsequent year. Such indicators make it impractical to keep laying hens for more than 2 years. The weight of the egg is about 50 g, depending on the condition of the bird, and, therefore, on the conditions of detention.

When recalculated for dry food, 270 g of compound feed is consumed per 1 egg. Outdoor content reduces this indicator by a third.

Breed varieties, photos and videos

Orpingtons presented wide range of colors, each of which has a standard and its own characteristics. Below are the varieties of the breed and their description.

Black

Black. The original color of the breed. The feather is glossy with a greenish sheen, down is black. The eyes and beak are dark, from deep brown to black, the metatarsus are black. Signs of degeneration: feather dullness, lilac or bronze gloss, reddishness, light fingers, down and beak.

Black-bordered

Black-bordered (gold-bordered). Brown feathers with black stripes at the end. Typical distribution - variegated top, black belly. The beak and metatarsus are light, the fingers are also darker, this is permissible. Vices: a mixture of black and brown feathers, dark beak and metatarsus.

White

White. Completely white feather and down, beak and metatarsus, orange eyes. Culling: yellow plumage, blueness or red streaks on the metatarsus.

Marble

Marble (black and white spotted, birch). The base of the color is black.Each feather has a large white wedge-shaped spot V. Beak is white, black spots are permissible. The eyes are red-orange, the metatarsus are white, pale pink. Deviations from the norm: brown, red, yellow shades of plumage.

Yellow (golden, fawn)

Yellow (golden, fawn). Deep yellow (gold) feathers with a luster that intensifies on the mane and loins of roosters. The down is yellow matte, the beak is light / white, the metatarsus are white, the eyes are red-orange. Deviations: pale color, feather dullness, reddish color, mottling, color zoning, dark and white blotches, light fluff, yellowish or blue tint in the color of the metatarsus, red strokes on the skin.

Porcelain (parcel, chintz)

Porcelain (parcel, chintz). The feather is tricolor: the base is red-brown, on the tip of the feather is a black spot with a white dot along the edge ("pearl"). Tailors and braids are black with a white tip. The eyes are red-orange, the beak is light-horny or white, the metatarsus are white or pale pink. Non-standard: black plumage on the chest, white feathers, dull feather color, small black dots in color.

Blue

Blue. The main color is gray (pigeon). Dark border on each feather. The mane and loin are glossy black and blue, the tail is blue, the fluff is blue. Black beak, slate or black metatarsals, black-brown or black eyes. Vices: uneven or pale coloration, reddish or blackish bloom, red eyes, light metatarsals.

Striped

Striped (hawk). The base is a black gloss with a greenish sheen, white clear transverse stripes, wider than the black interlayers between them. There is a black stripe at the end of the feather. The down is also striped. Beak and metatarsus are light / white, eyes are red-orange. Deviations: unusual shades, solid down, dark beak and metatarsals.

Chocolate

Chocolate. Brilliant black-chestnut zonal color of plumage, matt down. The bill and metatarsus are light. The eyes are red or dark brown. Non-standard: dark beak and metatarsus.

Breeding

For all the unpretentiousness of the breed, consideration of content requirements, ensuring proper nutrition and preventing diseases will certainly have a positive effect on the development of the breed.

Chickens

In the first 10 days, a must-have item on the menu is a hard-boiled chopped egg - 1 pc. for 30 chickens. From the 11th day, it is replaced with meat and bone or fish meal.

IN chicken diet also includes reverse, cottage cheese with a low percentage of fat, crushed grain, raw greens. From the 4th day, coarse green cake is added.

The total amount of feed increases gradually: from 15 g on the first day to 110 g by the end of the second month. After 60 days of isolation, the grown chickens are transferred to a common herd. This is quite safe - for Orpingtons, agitation at the sight of newcomers is not characteristic, they are peaceful and, one might even say, somewhat indifferent to their neighbors.

Adults

For adolescents and adult birds food is provided mixed feed or offer a mixed menu.

In nutritional mixes should include:

• crushed grain or whole, about 50-60 g / head per day;
• greens fresh / dried - 25/5 g;
• bran millet - 10 g;
• vegetable meal - 12 g;
• flour fish or meat and bone - 7;
• return - 25 ml;
• yeast - 3 g;
• salt - 0.7 g;
• a piece of chalk - 5 g.

The energy value 1 kg of feed should be 2900 kcal.

In addition to nutrition, the bird needs to be provided with sand-ash baths for the prevention of parasites, and eggshells should be regularly added to the chicken feeders. Roosters do not need this supplement.

It is better to place the feeders not on the floor, but higher - in order to avoid trampling the feed. Drinking bowls are placed at the level of the hens' chest, and the feeders are 2-3 cm higher. The equipment is placed for the cockerels 2 cm higher.

Laying hens and brood hens

They are provided good nutrition during the whole year. This will prevent egg production from dropping in the winter and pecking out of the eggs. An equally important factor is a sufficient supply of fresh air. It is provided by regular walking of the poultry flock, airing the chicken coop.

Treatment

For the prevention of diseases, all individuals regularly take antihelminthic and antiparasitic drugs. If the conditions are good, then the bird rarely gets sick. It is important to maintain acceptable temperature in the hen house (13 - 18 °), provide the livestock with thick bedding and water, exclude contact with wild birds. During the molting period, feeding is intensified, the temperature in the room is monitored. The sick bird is isolated, treated according to the condition.

Advantages and disadvantages

TO positive qualities Orpingtons include:

• large meat yield and its excellent quality;
• the beginning of egg production at 6 months;
• not bad egg production;
• ability to incubation;
• calm temperament;
• unpretentiousness and easy adaptation.

Flaws are few:

• decline productivity over time and depending on conditions;
• increased amount of feed to achieve optimal weight (+ 5%);
• long weight gain (1 year);
• the need for regular change manufacturer.

Orpington reviews

Breeders have different opinions and reviews on the forums about this bird, but it does not leave anyone indifferent.

Sasha, Voznesensk, admires the decorativeness of a thoroughbred bird.

Lolo from St. Petersburgthat chickens do not show signs of the breed for a long time - up to 4 - 6 months.

Evie the bird tellsthat at first she did not understand the beauty of this bird, but now she is happy to breed it.

Natalie from Tver region dreams of Orpington and is looking for a breeder nearby to buy.

Those who tried to practice this breed note delicious taste of meat, good egg performance, non-voice and calmness of the bird. The breed is well spread in Ukraine and Russia, the owners change cockerels to maintain the breed.

The Orpingtons combine the best poultry quality: delivery of meat and eggs, decorativeness, ease of maintenance. That is why they are always in demand by poultry farmers for personal use.