Description of the breed chicken orpington

Orpington refers to the meat-egg direction, is well isolated, stable and widespread. The bird of this breed differs markedly from other hens with characteristic features, the description and photo of which is presented below.

Breed description

Features of the breed make it attractive for breeding

Appearance

Bird of any kindcolorswhite, massive, with a cubic body on the legs of medium length. The head is rounded small with an erect leaf-like crest, red small lobes and earrings. The eyes are black, brown, orange, correlated with the color of the plumage. The neck stiffens smoothly to the shoulders and chest, forming a curved line with back and tail. Chest and abdomen are voluminous, the back is wide, the tail is short.

Temperament

Orphingtons are calm, livable birds. Without vigilance apply to a person. Well tolerated with different living conditions. The best indicators are achieved with aviary content, when there is the possibility of daily walking. Adaptation to a new location is good.

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

Using

Chickens of this breed are bred mainly on household plots and small farms for self-sufficiency with meat and eggs. Under optimal conditions of detention, this is the bestsource of meat and eggsfor the family table.

Characteristics

Cocks weightOrpington reaches 4 kg, chicken - 1 kg less. With the tendency of the breed to quickly set the mass, these indicators are achieved without problems. If you do not control the motor activity of the bird and its diet, then it is possible to overweight. However, this is not a desirable phenomenon; in this case, the chicken appears excess fat, not meat.

Yaytsenoskost breed average:up to 160 eggs in the first year with a downward trend of 15-20% in each subsequent year. Such indicators make it inadvisable to maintain layers for more than 2 years. The weight of the egg is about 50 g, depends on the condition of the bird, and, hence, on the conditions of detention.

When recalculating for dry food per egg, 270 g of mixed fodder are consumed. The loose content reduces this figure by one third.

Species of breed, photo and video

Orpingtons are representedwide range of colors, each of which has a standard and its characteristics. Below are the species of the breed and their description.

Black

Black.The original color of the rock. Perot glossy with a greenish gleam, fluffy black. Eyes and beak dark, from deep brown to black, metatarsus black.Signs of degeneracy:dullness of the feather, lilac or bronze gloss, rustiness, light fingers, down and beak.

Black-clad

Black-clad(gold-clasped). Brown feathers with black stripes on the end. A typical distribution is a mottled top, a black belly. Beak and metatars are light, fingers are darker, this is permissible.Defects:a mixture of black and brown feathers, a dark beak and a metatarsus.

White

White.Absolutely white feather and down, beak and metatarsus, orange eyes.Culling:yellowish feathers, blue or red strokes on the pluses.

Marble

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

Yellow (golden, pale yellow)

Yellow(golden, pale yellow). Deep yellow color (gold) feathers with gloss, increasing on the mane and lower back of the roosters. Pooh yellow matte, beak light / white, metatarsus white, eyes red-orange.Deviations:pale color, dullness of the feather, reddish color, patchiness, zonality of the color, dark and white impregnations, light fluff, yellowish or blue tint in the color of the plumsen, red strokes on the skin.

Porcelain (parcel, cotton)

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

Blue

The blue one.The main color is blue (pigeon). Dark border on each side. The mane and loin are black and blue glossy, the tail is blue, the fluff is blue. Black beak, black or black piths, black-brown or black eyes.Defects:uneven or pale coloration, reddish or blackish plaque, red eyes, light metatarsus.

Striped

Striped(hawkish). The basis is a black gloss with a greenish gleam, white clear transverse bands, wider than the black interlayers between them. At the end of the pen is a black strip. Pooh is also striped. Beak and metatarsus are light / white, eyes red-orange.Deviations:uncharacteristic shades, monophonic down, dark beaks and metatarsals.

Chocolate

Chocolate.Brilliant black-chestnut zonal color of plumage, fluffy. The beak and the metatarsal are light. Eyes red or dark brown.Non-standard:dark beaks and metatarsals.

Breeding

With all the unpretentiousness of the breed,accounting for content requirements, the provision of proper nutrition and disease prevention will necessarily have a positive impact on the development of the breed.

Chickens

In the first 10 days a mandatory element of the menu is a steeply cooked crushed egg - 1 pc. for 30 chickens. From the 11th day it is replaced with meat-bone or fish meal.

ATration of chickensalso includes the reverse, cottage cheese with a low percentage of fat content, crushed grain, raw greens. From the 4th day add cake of coarse greens.

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 chicks are transferred to a common herd. This is completely safe - for apingtonians there is no agitation at the sight of newcomers, they are peaceful and, you can even say, somewhat indifferent to neighbors.

Adults

Adolescents and adult birdsfood is providedmixed feed or offer a mixed menu.

In the composition of nutrient mixturesshould include:

• crushed grainor whole, about 50 - 60 g / head per day;
• greeneryFresh / Dried - 25/5 g;
• branmillet - 10 g;
• vegetablemeal- 12 g;
• flourfish or meat-bone-bearing - 7;
• reverse- 25 ml;
• yeast- 3 g;
• salt r;
• a piece of chalk- 5 g.

Energy value1 kg of feed should be 2900 kcal.

In addition to feeding the bird must provide sand-ash baths for the prevention of parasites, as well as in the feeding troughs of chickens regularly add eggshell. Roosters do not need this additive.

Feeders should be placed not on the floor, but above - in order to avoid trampling of the feed. Drinkers are at the chest level of chickens, and feeding troughs are 2-3 cm higher. Petushkas are placed equipment 2 cm higher.

Laying hens and hens

They are providedadequate nutritionduring the whole year. This will prevent a decrease in egg production in the winter and egg-laying. No less important factor is the intake of fresh air. It is provided by the regular walking of the bird herd, by airing the hen house.

Treatment

To prevent disease, all individuals regularly take antihelminthic and antiparasitic drugs. If the conditions are good, then the bird is ill rarely. It is importantacceptable temperaturein the hen house (13 - 18 °), to provide the population with thick bedding and water, to exclude contact with wild birds. During molting, feeding is strengthened, the temperature in the room is monitored. The diseased bird is isolated, treated according to the condition.

Advantages and disadvantages

TOpositive qualitiesOrpingtons include:

• bigmeat yieldand its excellent quality;
• start of egg productionin 6 months;
• quite goodegg-laying;
• ability toincubating;
• calmtemperament;
• unpretentiousnessand easy adaptation.

disadvantagesfew:

• declineproductivitywith time and depending on conditions;
• increasedamount of feedto achieve an optimal weight (+ 5%);
• longweight gain(1 year);
• the need for regularmanufacturer changes.

Reviews about the orpitington

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

Sasha, Voznesensk, admiring the decorative nature of a thoroughbred bird.

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

Ivi, poultry breeder, that at first she did not understand the beauty of this bird, but now she is happy to breed it.

Natalie from the Tver regiondreams of orpitingtons and looks for a breeder nearby to buy.

Those who tried to practice this breed, markdelicacy of meat, good egg performance, noncriticality and calmness of the bird. The breed is well-spread in Ukraine and Russia, the owners are changed by the males to maintain the breed.

Orppingtons combine the bestquality of poultry:the supply of meat and eggs, decorative, unburdened content. That is why they are always in demand by poultry farmers for personal use.