Stella14 Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 We're planning to increase our flock from 4 to 6 and finding it difficult to choose just two. You know how it is, so many breeds . . . .! One option is to add two Orpington Bantams. Anyone here have them? Are they essentially the same in nature and temperament to a standard Orpington? Even though they are bantams, being bantam Orps, they are not as small as many others are they? so how small are their eggs? We have the room to go for standard size, just wondering about going for the bantams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I have a choc orp bantam, very placid and friendly. I don't have any lf so nothing to compare with and she is not laying yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I have a black bantam orp........a complete prima donna , but she is the one chook who everybody oohhhs and ahhhs at when they visit . She is about the same size as all the rest of my chooks, as "normal" size orpies are so huge, and her eggs are sort of small - large fowl eggs.........does that make sense? I think Plum has a buff bantam orp, and she is a complete sweetie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I have a standard Jubilee. She'll be one year old approx April and to be honest she isn't that big. Compared to my Brahmas she is teeny (cos they are HUGE ). I was expecting my orp to be loud and a bit of a diva from fellow owners on here but she is soooo quiet and is the most shy out of all of my hens. A pocket rocket though - I can never catch her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 This is my little Orp bantam she's not laying yet but you don't rush a lady. She's quite shy but I think that is because she's younger than the rest. In the morning she stands on my hand to alight from the cube. Ahhh She was waiting to have her bottom washed having after a night sleeping in the nestbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella14 Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 Thanks guys. The best local chicken seller has chocolate and buff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 (edited) I reckon they're a good bet, they are huge compared to something like a pekin and as Mostin says their eggs are a small large (put it this way, you couldn't enter their eggs in a bantam class ). I've only got the one, a buff, and she is the chook most people think is the prettiest. Mine is a good layer and a very good broody, but I think one of distant ancestors was a wyandotte so she's perhaps not hyper-typical. She squawks a bit like a rusty old saw after laying and is noisier than my LF but she is very appealing. Edited February 8, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie1007 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I don't have a bantam but I have an orpington and she's gorgeous I think she is laying too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodinparts Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hang on... An idea is forming gradually...Bantam orps are big...Does this mean that I could get away with a bantam Orp in with my hybrids/faverolles in times to come........? MoreHens strikes again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Hang on... An idea is forming gradually...Bantam orps are big...Does this mean that I could get away with a bantam Orp in with my hybrids/faverolles in times to come........? MoreHens strikes again! I think a lot of the sizing depends on the strain and the breeder. If you look at large fowl show orps then , but undersized siblings of these are often sold off by the breeders to the "pet market" i.e. us lot so we end up with smaller versions. A lot of the show people are complaining, that the bantam versions are becoming too big, and some are passed over in shows for being too heavy. I honestly think that my bantam girl is a "middlin'" . I think she was bred as a bantam, but ended up too large. When I go to the shows, she always looks a bit inbetween sizes. I think she is gorgeous though . So yes Goodinparts.......I think a bantam Orp could run happily with your flock of large fowl, just as mine does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Sorry, but had to post a picture of my girl Willow . she used to belong to Laurmurf, but had to be relocated to to her *coughloudgobcough* issues . Rod is trying his best to keep her in order, but she always completely ignores him . Do not base Orpies behaviour on my girl!! She is very individual . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 Oh she is lovely, Mostin She looks like a LF from the side, just on that outline? LF black orps, my absolute favourite birds! As Mostin says it does depend on the strain so if you go the bantam/integration route have a Plan/House B as well. My bantam lived very happily with my wise old LF orp but when I tried to put her in with some younger and smaller big girls all they did was chase her and I had to take her out again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 She does look big in that shot, but it is all fluff. My LF buff sussex are much bigger than her, and when you pick her up, there is nothing to her. It is all feathers and attitude believe me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbehr27 Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 I have 4 orps. 3 large buff and sianiqua my little chocolate bantum orp. She is gorgeous. She lays small whiteish eggs which have huge yolks, the same size as a medium supermarket egg. If you get chance please get one she is a real character. We absolutely love her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella14 Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share Posted February 8, 2011 I have 4 orps. 3 large buff and sianiqua my little chocolate bantum orp. She is gorgeous. She lays small whiteish eggs which have huge yolks, the same size as a medium supermarket egg. If you get chance please get one she is a real character. We absolutely love her! Out of interest, how often does she lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbehr27 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 she lays around 5 eggs per week i'd say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
