[mentalmilly]

I hatched some black orpington chucks this summer and they are lovely creatures. Not had this breed before.  But.  Are they supposed to be clumsy.  They look as if they have not grown into their feet yet and does not take much for them to trip over stuff.  Also a lazier breed l have yet to have, they like to chill out a lot, except when food arrives of course.  I love these giant black fluffballs but is this normal behavior for this breed?  The gold laced orps l have are more active, so could it be a black orp. thing?  Would be interested to hear about others orps and their behavior?  They are BIG chucks but seem more fragile than others l have bred.

[bloomer]

reply not had blacks, had a buff orpington who was clumsy and ditsy...


very loveable and affectionate but daft as a brush!!!

[chrismahon]

We've had a variety of Orps. Our black was top hen and caught a baby robin once (which I freed). Some are clumsy but some are very agile. Our blues were the best of the lot. Princess (the black) laid tiny eggs, same size as our bantams that were a fifth of her size.

[HesterF]

I've got buff, gold laced, blue/splash, a couple of lavender and a silver laced and they are all quite docile (except for my enormous buff cockerel who is might protective of his girls - so I pick him up and give him a cuddle whenever he attacks my wellies). But I wouldn't say clumsy. Mind you, it's probably what you're used to - I only have a handful of other chickens (one light sussex, two marans and one araucana) and they all seem very agile to me. I can't get used to the fact they can get off the ground and I have to watch to make sure they don't fly over the bottom of the gate when I have it open.

H

[mentalmilly]

Thanks everyone, nice to know mine are "normal" for orps.  They are a talkative bunch and lovable and they sound quite different from the other chucks. My gold laced boy has adopted me as his mum and begs for food when l clean them out,  he's gorgeous.