There is no controversy about who created the Orpington breed of chicken. All sources state that it was William Cook, an Englishman who named the Orpington after his home town in Kent. The Black Orpington was the original bird and this was developed in 1886. Crossings between Black Minorcas and Black Plymouth Rocks were then bred to a Clean-legged Langshan resulting in the new breed.
The original Orpingtons looked very much like black Langshans and were not as profusely feathered as today's Orpingtons. The Black Orpington was first shown in 1886 at the Crystal Palace, London. Show enthusiasts crossed the Orpington with the Cochin to create a more impressive bird for exhibition. The Orpington was bred as a dual purpose bird, one which would lay well through winter and produce white meat for the table. Its large size, curved shape and soft plumage attracted the attention of poultry fanciers who breed for exhibition purposes more than utility factors.
After Cook had established his Black Orpingtons, he set out to create White, Buff and Blue Orpingtons. In 1889 the White Orpington made its appearance. These were not as popular as the Black Orpington. Later crosses with white Wyandottes and white Sussex saw a revival of interest in the White Orpington. The White Orpington should be white apart from a red face and comb. They lay 160 to 180 brown or tinted eggs per annum.
The Buff Orpington has the Lincolnshire Buff in its ancestry which was Cook's attempt to remove the Cochin influence. As a result, the Buff Orpington tends to be more closely feathered than the other colours. The Buff Orpington should be a rich, golden colour with no suggestion of red. The legs are white and clean. The cock bird weighs between 7 and 10 pounds. HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was once the Patron of the Buff Orpington Club which was formed in 1898 and had her own stud of top quality Buff Orpingtons. The Buff Orpington is the most popular of the varieties and became the symbol of the Orpington Rugby Football Club.
In 1890, Cook exported Black Orpingtons to Australia. From these birds, Australian breeders established what was first known as the Austral Orpington but then as the Australorp. It is a good show bird and an excellent layer. By 1905 Cook had also bred a Blue Orpington. As this bird was developed just before World War I, it had little chance of becoming popular. At the time, the breed was famed for its egg production.
The docile Orpington 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 colours have dark eyes and legs, while the paler colours have red eyes and white legs. The chickens are not particularly fast to feather up.
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. The average output per annum is between 110 and 160 tinted white to light brown eggs. Broodiness is a trait with the Orpington and they are good mothers. They cope well when confined.
Today the Orpington comes in a number of varieties including jubilee, red, gold- and silver-laced and mottled. They are quite intelligent for chickens and can even learn simple tricks. If handled while young, they remain very quiet and friendly. Their docile nature makes them popular for families with small children. There is a bantam variety.
Orpingtons were recognised by the American Poultry Association (APA) in 1902. The only colours recognised are black, white, buff and blue. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy lists the Orpington as 'recovering'. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust of the United Kingdom lists the Orpington as 'endangered' and the Buff Orpington as 'at risk'.
Sources:
www.ansi.okstate.edu
en.wikipedia.org
www.wilkamdai.com
www.mypetchicken.com
www.poultrymad.co.uk