Orpingtons, Buttercups, and Sumatras, Oh My!

One of my friends asked me to elaborate on a few breeds. While there are many wonderful and beautiful rare breed chickens in the world, Orpingtons, Buttercups, and Sumatras are the ones me and my husband chose for our homestead flock. Considering adding any or all of these to your flock? Here's the skinny on our experiences with each:

Orpington: Orpingtons come in three varieties; Buff Orpington and Bantam white and black.
This is a hardy breed well suited for colder climates. They are fluffily feathered from head to toe. Orpington hens have short, stout, and wide bodies with a husky girth. From head to tail while standing straight, their profile depicts a noticeable U-shape. Their feathered legs are somewhat larger than average chickens and their feathered feet have thicker padded soles. Orpington derrieres are covered in large, thick, fluffy feathered plumes, perfect for cold weather brooding. This is a hefty breed. As adults, they can weigh in, on average, between 8-10 pounds each. Orpington hens are great egg layers and have a tendency to go broody more often than not. Our white Orpington lays pink shell eggs! They possess a laid back, quiet temperment toward people and make great backyard birds, although you have to be careful which breeds they are mixed with as they do tend to be a bit fussy about that. Orpington roosters are beautiful and rather large and have a loud crow. Ours is a Buff Orpington. These roosters have great, easy going dispositions and usually get along well with people, cats, and ducks. Ours loves to be held and cuddled! Orpingtons are slow movers, preferring to walk or slowly trot.

Buttercup: This is a small breed that is great for those with limited flock space. A fully grown Buttercup hen is about the size of an 8 or 9 week old Orpington pullet chick. Their name comes from their large buttercup-shaped comb. Body feather markings resemble those of a pheasant and their necks and heads are covered in a solid burnt orange color. Their body feathers are neatly held close to the body, with tail feathers long and straight, which they fan outward to give the appearance of being larger than they really are when threatened. They have white colored earlobes that stand out in stark contrast. Their feet are grey in color, thin and svelte, and are not feathered. Buttercup hens are very smart, as birds go, and are a great addition to any flock. They adapt well to people, have a friendly disposition, and will reciprocate attention by flying to its owner, resting either on your arm, the top of your head, or your shoulder and will follow you around like a pet dog (mine does). Buttercups are not aggressive toward other breeds. Adult hens will even take on a motherless flock of chicks and adopt them as her own. Buttercups are terrific small size egg layers although I have yet to see any go broody. Broodiness just doesn't seem to be in their nature anymore. This breed does not do well mixed in with Orpingtons. Orpingtons have a tendency to attack Buttercups, at least mine do, and will aggressively peck at them and try chase them off. I have to keep ours separated from each other in the coop. Outside, with space to run, Buttercups are fast runners and can dodge and escape any agressive Orpington behaviors toward them. This breed is also easily trained since they pay attention to every word you say. Mine is trained to stop in its tracks, squat, and spread its wings the second I say the word "Pet", making gathering her up an easy job. Mine also knows to run like mad the second she hears me say the words "Watch out", which means there is an Orpington sneaking up on her.

Sumatras: Beautiful black feathers that shimmer in various hues and hints of green, these chickens are rather large. My Sumatra hen is almost as tall as my Buff Orpington rooster. Their black feet have just a small, thin spray of feathers near the toes. Sumatras are the least active and slowest out of all of the breeds I've experienced so far. They prefer standing around or very slowly walking and rarely ever run or try fly. Mine are perfectly content standing outside near the auto-feeder watching the world go by. They have quiet temperments and pay no heed to other breeds in the flock, nor do they care about cats or ducks being in the vicinity. This is one breed that doesn't even bother running from you when you go to pick them up and they, too, love to be held, cuddled, and talked to and will 'talk' back to you in their mild clucks and coos. Sumatras are great egg layers, lay average to large size eggs, and are prone to go broody. Sumatra roosters are amazingly beautiful, with a regal profile of long, gorgeous tail feathers.

Whichever breed you choose, whether these or others, having and caring for chickens is a rewarding thing!
Until next time...Happy Homesteading!