There is something about an English Orpington that is hard to put into words. Perhaps it is their quiet, gentle nature, their abundance of soft feathering, or simply the way they carry themselves around the farm. They are big, beautiful birds, but there is a softness to them that makes them especially endearing.

 

Originally developed in England in the late 1800s, the Orpington was created as a practical dual-purpose breed, valued for both eggs and meat. Over generations, English breeders developed the large, broad, heavily feathered birds we know and admire today.

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Our love for the English Orpington has grown from that combination of beauty, temperament, and history. We have always been drawn to breeds that have a story behind them, and the Orpington is a breed that gives us plenty to appreciate.

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Our work with English Orpingtons is centred around three varieties that have captured our attention: Partridge, Isabel Cuckoo, and Lavender Cuckoo.

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The Partridge has a richness and depth to its colouring that makes every feather feel almost painted. The Isabel Cuckoo brings together soft, subtle tones with the beautiful pattern of cuckoo barring, while the Lavender Cuckoo adds another layer of colour to that same classic pattern. Each variety has its own character and beauty, and part of the enjoyment for us has been learning what makes each one unique.

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We are also slowly working toward something of our own with a Crele English Orpington project. This is very much a long-term breeding project, and one we are happy to take our time with. Creating a new line isn't something that happens in a season or two. It takes careful pairings, patience, observation, and a willingness to wait for the right bird to grow into the flock.

For us, breeding isn't simply about producing a particular colour. It is about finding that balance between colour, type, temperament, health, and the qualities that make the breed worth keeping in the first place.

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We keep our Orpingtons because we genuinely enjoy them. They have become part of the character of our farm and part of the collection of breeds we are fortunate enough to work with. We hope that through our breeding program, these beautiful and less commonly seen varieties can continue to find their way into other flocks and into the hands of people who will appreciate them for generations to come.

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There is something special about raising a bird that has been loved for generations before it reached your farm—and knowing that, in some small way, you are helping carry its story forward.

A legacy of beauty, rare colour, and careful breeding.

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We will have availability for our Partridge Orpingtons in 2027 both live birds and fertilized eggs. We may have some very limited availability for our other varieties as pullets and chicks for 2027. We will provide an update in the new year about where we stand with availability. 

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If you are interested in the history of Orpingtons and where the colour variations fit into the history of the breed, we have been researching, reading, and compiling historical information about the Orpington and hope to form it all into words soon (will be posted to our blog)