Chicken Breed Focus: Silver Laced English Orpington

Chicken Breed Focus: Silver Laced English Orpington

Silver Laced English Orpington chickens are a distinctive color variety of the English Orpington heritage breed, known for their exceptionally friendly and gentle nature, fluffy appearance, and beautiful feather pattern. With their striking silver and black laced feathers, Silver Laced English Orpingtons are the showstoppers you’ve been dreaming of adding to your backyard flock.

Orpingtons are basically the chicken version of your favorite snuggly teddy bear. These cuddly giants are content to snuggle up with their people any time of the day and will happily sit on your lap or shoulder while you spend time with them. They are known for being incredibly sociable chickens and will readily interact with humans and other animals, making them a great addition to a family setting or a mixed poultry flock.

Orpington hens are excellent mothers. They will often go broody and are skilled at hatching and raising chicks. If you’re looking for a broody hen to hatch your own eggs, I promise you will not be disappointed with Orpingtons!

Orpingtons are calm and not likely to get stressed, even in new or unfamiliar situations, making them easy to handle and work with. Orpingtons are laid-back, peaceful, and quiet chickens. Because they are sociable, pleasant, docile, friendly, easy-going, and like snuggling, these hens are popular with families with children.

Quick Facts about Silver Laced Orpingtons

  • Primary Use: Dual Purpose, Eggs/Meat
  • Egg Production: Good, 175-200 eggs per year
  • Egg Size: Large
  • Egg Shell Color: Light Brown to Cream or Pink
  • Bird Size: Male 10 lbs. / Female 8 lbs.
  • Color: Light Slate Blue to Gray
  • Temperament: Calm and Sociable
  • Broody: Yes
  • Heritage Breed: Orpingtons are a heritage breed, although the Silver Laced color is not yet recognized by the APA

Are Silver Laced Orpington Chickens Friendly?

Orpingtons are known for their exceptionally friendly and gentle nature, fluffy appearance, and beautiful feather patterns. Orpingtons are basically the chicken version of your favorite snuggly teddy bear. These cuddly giants are content to snuggle up with their people any time of the day and will happily sit on your lap or shoulder while you spend time with them. They are known for being incredibly sociable chickens and will readily interact with humans and other animals, making them a great addition to a family setting or a mixed poultry flock.

What color eggs do Silver Laced Orpington hens lay?

Silver Laced Orpingtons can lay about 180-200 cream to light brown eggs per year.

How rare are Silver Laced Orpington chickens?

Silver Laced Orpingtons are still relatively rare in the US, however due to their popularity they are becoming easier to find.

Heritage Breed Status

Orpingtons are a heritage chicken breed recognized by the American Poultry Association, however the Silver Laced color variety is not yet recognized. Heritage chicken breeds offer a unique and sustainable alternative to commercial chicken breeds. By choosing to raise heritage chickens, people can help support local food systems, preserve rare and endangered livestock breeds. Read More About Choosing Heritage Chicken Breeds

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