Orpington chickens are a popular breed of domesticated chicken known for their gentle nature, striking appearance, and usefulness in both egg-laying and meat production. One of the most notable characteristics of Orpington chickens is their broodiness.
On average, Orpington chickens are very broody chickens. They are dedicated and will sit on a clutch of eggs for the entire incubation period, which is typically around 21 days. While their broodiness can be a challenge for some chicken keepers, it is also a valuable trait for those who want to hatch their own chicks.
In this article, we will go into the broodiness of an Orpington, signs that your Orpington is going broodiness, pros and cons of their broodiness, and much more!
Are Orpington Chickens Broody?
Traditionally, Orpington chickens are very broody hens. I’ve raised many types of chickens throughout my chicken raising career, and by far the Orpington has been the most broody. It was not uncommon to open the laying boxes to see one of them get all buffed up ( no pun intended! ) to protect their eggs. If you’re looking to raise chickens, you will find no better than the Orpingtons!
Signs that a Chicken is going Broody
There are several signs that a hen is broody, including sitting in the nesting box for extended periods of time, fluffing out her feathers, and becoming more aggressive or protective of her eggs. If you notice these behaviors in your Orpington hens and it’s unwated, you can try to discourage broodiness by regularly removing eggs from their nesting boxes, providing a cool and well-ventilated coop, and limiting their access to nesting boxes during the day.
Pros and Cons of Broody Chickens
Pros:
- Natural Incubation: One of the biggest advantages of a broody chicken is that it can provide a natural incubation environment for eggs. This can be an excellent option for chicken keepers who want to hatch their own chicks without having to invest in an incubator.
- Dedicated Mother: Broody hens are extremely dedicated mothers and will sit on a clutch of eggs for the entire incubation period, which is typically around 21 days. They will also protect their chicks fiercely once they hatch.
- Cost-Effective: Since a broody hen can provide a natural incubation environment, it can be a cost-effective option for chicken keepers who want to hatch their own chicks without investing in an incubator or buying new chicks. Remember, if you’re wanting to replace your hens with this method, your odds of getting a hen are 50/50.
Cons:
- Reduced Egg Production: When a hen becomes broody, she will often stop laying eggs and instead focus on sitting on a clutch of eggs until they hatch. This can result in a significant decrease in egg production, which can be a disadvantage for those who keep chickens primarily for their eggs.
- Aggression: Broody hens can become more aggressive and protective of their eggs and chicks, which can be a disadvantage if you have other chickens in the flock that need access to the nesting boxes.
- Lengthy Incubation: The incubation period for eggs is typically around 21 days, which can be a long time to wait for new chicks to hatch. This can be a disadvantage for those who are looking for a quicker turnaround time.
- The 50/50 rule: Always consider that when your hen raises a clutch, you’re very likely to get at least 50% roosters. This may not be viable if you’re having to feed the chicks. It could be much cheaper to just purchase your hens at a local feed store. Some breeds of chickens are great dual-purpose chickens, such as the Orpingtons. When the roosters get large, enough that you could use them for meat at this point to recoup some of your expenses.
- The Laying Nest Hassle: When your chicken goes broody, it will usually attempt to take over the most popular spot where your flock lays. If you try to leave her where she is, when she gets up for a drink, the other chickens will get on the nest and lay eggs. You will then have to get the broody hen up to check for eggs that aren’t the original eggs. You can try this process, by marking the eggs with a marker, but it’s a very painstaking process and you’re moving the eggs around yourself, which isn’t good for the incubation process. It’s far better to just move the hen to a separate area once she goes broody. However, now you have to provide food, water, and a nest just for her.
Buff Orpington FAQs
- Do Black Orpingtons go broody?
- In total, Black Orpingtons are highly likely to go broody. Orpingtons are known for their broodiness and are excellent mothers!
- In total, Black Orpingtons are highly likely to go broody. Orpingtons are known for their broodiness and are excellent mothers!
- Do Blue Orpingtons go broody?
- On average, Blue Orpingtons, just like any other Orpington are highly likely to go broody! This can be very advantageous if you’re looking to grow your flock the natural way!
- On average, Blue Orpingtons, just like any other Orpington are highly likely to go broody! This can be very advantageous if you’re looking to grow your flock the natural way!
- How do you Break a Broody Hen?
- There are many ways to break a broody hen including removing her from the nesting box and placing her in a different pen, limiting her access to the nesting box, and interrupting her sleep cycle if she’s sitting on the eggs during the night by removing her from the nest and placing her in another area.
- There are many ways to break a broody hen including removing her from the nesting box and placing her in a different pen, limiting her access to the nesting box, and interrupting her sleep cycle if she’s sitting on the eggs during the night by removing her from the nest and placing her in another area.
- Are Buff Orpingtons good layers?
- As a whole, Buff Orpingtons are excellent egg layers, producing up to 280 eggs per year. Your hens will start laying between 5 and 7 months of age. The Buff Orpington eggs are beautiful large brown eggs.
- As a whole, Buff Orpingtons are excellent egg layers, producing up to 280 eggs per year. Your hens will start laying between 5 and 7 months of age. The Buff Orpington eggs are beautiful large brown eggs.
- What Chickens Mix well with Buff Orpingtons?
- On average, Buff Orpingtons do best with Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, and Faverolles. Due to their calm nature, Buff Orpingtons can get picked on quite easily, so it’s best to place them with other easy-going chickens.
- On average, Buff Orpingtons do best with Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, and Faverolles. Due to their calm nature, Buff Orpingtons can get picked on quite easily, so it’s best to place them with other easy-going chickens.
- Are Orpingtons Friendly?
- In total, Orpingtons are very calm, friendly chickens that respond well to attention. They are non-aggressive and enjoy handling, which makes them great for families. Orpingtons are a very calm breed and do well with other calm breeds of chickens.
- In total, Orpingtons are very calm, friendly chickens that respond well to attention. They are non-aggressive and enjoy handling, which makes them great for families. Orpingtons are a very calm breed and do well with other calm breeds of chickens.
- Do Orpingtons Lay in Winter?
- Traditionally, Orpingtons will lay right through winter with ease. Although chicken’s will go through a molting phase in the fall, you can expect your chickens to provide plenty of eggs during winter.
- Traditionally, Orpingtons will lay right through winter with ease. Although chicken’s will go through a molting phase in the fall, you can expect your chickens to provide plenty of eggs during winter.
- Are Orpingtons a good Dual Purpose Breed?
- On average, Orpingtons are one of the absolute best dual-purpose breeds. They are well known for their egg-laying as well as for meat chickens. Know, as a heavy breed, they will do very well if raised for meat.