fantasticjudyann Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Does anyone know whether these are easy to handle and if they are good layers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I don't keep them but orpingtons are always said to become very tame and are a good pet chicken. People say that their plymouth rocks are friendly too. Plymouth rocks are good layers for a pure breed and orpingtons lay slightly less but still lay a reasonable amount and go broody more. I would get both as a mix of buff orpingtons and barred rocks would look nice plus you could have the ops for friendliness and the plymouth rocks for eggs. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Its pretty much as zakjon says. Orps aren't generally going to win any prizes for the number of eggs laid, although my best layer is a buff orpington! In my experience, orps are best described as docile rather than friendly, but most of them are fine to handle, if a little on the large size. PRs are a very good all round breed, again generally good to handle, reasonably prolific and very hardy. I always think more people should know about them, they don't seem as popular as the sussex for example; I think they are very under-rated. Are you thinking of barred or buffs or another colour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Not sure yet Daphne as I am only just starting to investigate. Is the colour of the Rocks important as in how they are to handle and for laying?. I am a novice with these breeds as I've only got hybrids myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Is the colour of the Rocks important as in how they are to handle and for laying?. I wouldn't think it would make any difference with how easy they are to handle although with dual purpose breeds such as rocks certain strains are kept for utility and not show so some will lay better than others but all should be pretty good. I would think that they would lay about 200 eggs a year or something similar so won't be as good as hybrids but will live and lay longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted October 25, 2012 Author Share Posted October 25, 2012 Thanks Zak . If they live longer that's what I want as four of my hybrids have died in their second year -very upsetting. A reasonable amount of eggs would be fine. We have to give a lot away with the hybrids so probably we have too many anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I got a black Plymouth Rock this year in July and she is a beautiful bird with a green sheen on her black feathers. She is a big chunky bird and sooooo friendly - is always under my feet and even tries to hop on my shoulder and back when i'm in the run to say hello. She started laying at about 24 weeks and has consistently laid little pale eggs so far that are slowly getting bigger. Very cute and tasty. Can't comment on orpingtons but would reccomend a plymouth rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheekyPekins Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 I've got a bantam Orpington and she's my friendliest girl - puts up with cuddles all the time, very inquisitive and utterly lovely She's only just started laying, but we've had one egg a day so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 Big orps can be awkward to handle sometimes Bantams of both breeds are actually more readily available and are both nice birds. Plymouth Rocks are a little more lively but by no means flighty, they lay well usually, better than Orps The two in bantam size would co-exist quite happily so are worth considering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 OOOOOOOO get 1 of each Not helping much am I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christyrose12 Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 I have got a buff orp and a blue orp and they are beautiful girls. I just love their feathers!! They are placid girls and because they are big they dont try and fly off at every opportunity. Never had a plymouth rock so cant comment there but why not get one of each as suggested earlier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 It seems that they are both fab birds! I agree get one of each! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticjudyann Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 I live in Derbyshire. Does anyone know where these birds can be sourced? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubababe Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 http://www.practicalpoultry.com/information/breeder-directory Good place to start looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
