Bantam Orpington

Chocolate and Blue/Splash

Pen 1. Chocolate
Pen 2. Blue and Splash

Originated from Orpington, England
Mature weigh around 1.3 -1.5 kg
Medium size egg around 50-55 g
Slow maturing – first egg around 8 to 9 months
Light/cream coloured eggs, expected to lay between 180-200 per year,
Broodiness – Mid to high
Maintenance – Low

The Bantam Orpington is a smaller version of the standard Orpington chicken breed. It shares many of the characteristics of its larger counterpart but in a more compact size. Bantam Orpingtons are prized for their friendly demeanor, attractive appearance, and egg-laying capabilities, making them a popular choice. Like standard Orpingtons, Bantam Orpingtons come in various color varieties, they have a similar round and broad body shape, fluffy feathers, and a low-slung appearance that gives them a charming and dignified presence.

Despite their smaller size, Bantam Orpingtons are known to lay eggs of good size relative to their body. They provide a good sized steady supply of eggs during season. Additionally, Bantam Orpingtons are often kept as pets due to their gentle temperament and suitability for smaller backyard environments. They do tolerate cold climate reasonably well due to their thick plumage that provides warmth but this can also overheat during extreme heat. They can get bullied by other breeds known to be more aggressive.

Our Bantam Orpington bloodlines feature Karen Bussian’s lineage, along with a select few from VIC and SA. Through years of selective breeding, we’ve endeavored to preserve robust genetic diversity. Our focus has been on refining comb, type, and addressing split chest issues, often found in the Chocolate Bantam line in Australia. Previously, our Blue Bantam Orpingtons have been successfully showcased by satisfied customers.

Please see Orpington – Open Poultry Standard Australia for more info and breed standards.

Bantam Orpington Chicks

Chocolate bantam orpington dayold hatch with a white front and chocolate

Splash, Black and Blue Bantam Orpington Dayold hatch with blue, black tuxedo markings. Splash chicks will hatch light silver

Orpington Genetic Throwback

Occasionally, a small number of our offspring may hatch with stubble or peach fuzz on their shanks, likely stemming from their Cochin ancestry several generations back during the creation of the breed. While all of our breeders are clean-legged with no birds exhibiting stubble or feathers on their legs, it’s worth noting that feathered leg gene dominance and multiple genes can contribute to shank and leg feathering, even if not visibly expressed.

While this trait is not within the Australian Poultry Standard, it’s not uncommon in Australian Orpington breeding, particularly in Black, blue and splash lines. Although the stubble often falls off as birds mature or is covered by their low skirting, making them suitable as pet-quality birds. However, it should be excluded from breeding programs or exhibition purposes.
We have not observed this particular throwback in our Chocolate or Buff standard lines.

*Reference : Written by Ross Gibson – President Orpington Club of Australia, Section “Time warp to 2018” No 2.
Orpington club of Australia http://theorpingtonclubofaustralia.net.au/

Discussion regarding feathered legged genetic on Backyardchickens.com USA

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