Our first White Orpingtons arrived April 1st.  We have 8 cute little chicks now and have to grow out here on the farm before I know if I have boys or girls. They are from Virginia near Richmond from a United Orpington Club breeder Joel Gilman.

Photo also has 3 little Blue Orpingtons in it along with
8 White Orpingtons.  Age: 4 days old

Right - Close up of White Orpington Pullet? at 1 month
Below - The entire group of White Orpingtons along with thier shipping box mates the Blue Orpingtons and a Black Wyandotte hatched here.  They are all rooming together at this age, so it’s easier to photograph the whole group in photos at this point.

The chicks at almost 4 weeks of age. Growing up nicely and becoming very white, however they still have very dark leggs on most of them and it’s quite unattractive! Out of 8 chicks, at this age, my best guess is that we have 8 girls!!! No boys from this clutch of chicks at all! It’s still possible that there is a late bloomer in there but I seriously doubt it.  It’s a good thing I ordered more whites from elsewhere or I’d be in the same predicament as I am with my Jersey Buff Turkeys; all girls, no boys!

Left - Gilman Orp Trio 7mos  | Above: Remaining 2 white pullets from McMurray Hatchery 6 mos |  Left Bottom: Alternate White Male from Gilman Farms 7 mos

After a long summer of being overrun with chickens, I have chosen these keepers. When our McMurray order arrived I knew pretty much right away I wouldn’t be keeping many of them.  I chose the two pullets above because they were nice looking with potential and matured quickly and are now daily egg layers at only 6 mos.

In contrast, the Gilman Orp males are the size of Turkeys, and then hens while huge & pretty have no interest in egg laying and no one wishes to perch.   Everyone is still quite gangly looking, especially the males, but their size is incredible!

I haven’t yet decided what is in store for everyone in spring, but I am considering crossing the two lines in efforts to get some good size orps that lay well and early as well as look good and dress out nicely.

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