Buff Orpington Rooster Characteristics

Buff Orpington Rooster is known for its large size(meat) and submissive nature. The breed is originated in Orpington, Kent, United Kingdom. There are many different colored Orpingtons but the Buff Orpington is more famous. Buff Orpingtons are a century-old breed that is farmers’ favorite breed for both eggs and meat.

Raising Buff Orpington Rooster

What makes Buff Orpington Rooster a better breed and why do we need to raise Buff Orpington chicks? Let us look at the characteristics

Buff Orpington Chicks

If our raising Buff Orpington for the first time, then you need to buy chicks at reputable hatcheries. Always choose the hatcheries which are closer to your location. Chicks do not like to travel for longer distances. But if you are going to get eggs of Buff Orpington, choose the light brown colored fresh eggs.

How to tell if a Buff Orpington is a rooster? When they are chicks its almost impossible to determine the sex. So only after 4 to 5 months old, sex can be determined. Most of the physical characteristics can be visible to easily distinguish between rooster and hen.

Roosters will crow, develop large combs and be aggressive towards hens. Choosing a healthy Rooster will determine the health of the flock. To get the best Buff Orpington chicks always keep the Rooster which is healthy and strong. Weak Roosters can be culled or given away.

Buff Orpington Characteristics

1. The Buff Orpington should be a heavy, broad body with a low stance, fluffed out feathers and a curvy, short back.
2. The bird should be well feathered with broad, smooth feathers. Feet and shanks should be clean and pinkish-white in color and the flesh is white.
3. The beak also is a pinkish white.
4. Eyes are reddish bay color; wattles, comb, and earlobes should be red.
5. The single comb should have five points.
6. The main benefits of Buff Orpington are meat and eggs.
7. Buff Orpington lay large light brown eggs around 200–280 per year.
8. If you raise them for meat, they will be table ready by 22 weeks weigh around 10 pounds (4kgs).
9. Buff Orpingtons can easily adapt to the low temperature due to their thick feathers. They tolerate warmer climates but need to have access to shade during the heat of the day.
10. Because Buff Orpingtons feathers are so dense they should be checked regularly for lice and mites and treated accordingly. Many folks treat them with poultry dust regularly because it’s hard to spot little creepy crawlies amongst all those feathers.
11. As Buff Orpingtons are such large birds, they have a tendency towards laziness and they should be allowed to exercise as much as is possible.

Buff Orpington Rooster Disposition

Buff Orpington Rooster’s inherent quality is being docile. They are a top choice for many families because the buff is superb with children, tolerating all sorts of things that kids do.

Roosters guard the flock. Roosters will be aggressive towards predators. But they are more submissive with their owners. Keeping multiple Roosters in a flock is not a good idea, as they get aggressive with each other.

The large farms and the backyard chicken keepers prefer Buff Orpington as they are friendly in nature. More silent when compared to other chickens and also good with children.

Show Birds Roosters

Buff Orpington Rooster are mainly bred for better flock management and for exhibitions. Orpington is the popular chickens in exhibitions. Roosters are bred to the standards head shape, leg length and body size. They are being judged based on physical traits.

Breeders discuss the mating habits, to improve the breed. Roosters are the future for the better flock generation. So the best Roosters get sold or exchanged in the exhibition for the breed improvement.