Orpingtons or Warrens??

[greenarmy]

Hi closing in on my chooks went to see some at the weekend, fell in love with two breeds !!!orps and warrens, both were very friendly and both lovely birds
what are the pros and cons of these birds ie laying, health, hardiness, only want three !!!or should i get four two of each?? have i enough space 2.9 by3 mtrs?
regards wayne

[Suechooks]

I have both! Warrens are pretty easy going, busy, friendly, fabulous layers. My bantam Orpington are just as friendly but can't say about laying as theyre only young. I was told that large fowl Orps (my next purchase!) lay around 200eggs per year which is pretty good.
If you think you've got room have 2 of each!

[its hilly]

Warrens are friendly and will lay like crazy (though mine dropped off in winter) but I found mine quite bossy with the other chooks.
Haven't got Orps, but got some Orp x and they are not good layers, but very friendly and so funny with those big fluffy knickers that they are well worth it.

[Hilary B]

I've not kept Orpingtons, but going by comments on here, I think you get more egg per lb of feed from the Warrens (not necessarily a greater number of eggs, but more total weight).

[RichmondHens]

I've never had Warrens but I would go for those if that is all the space you have. LF Orps are pretty big when fully grown, although a lot is feather! Also the Warrens will lay well whereas Orps have a tendency to go broody (I am keeping them purely for this purpose) - some strains can be broody most of the time!

[Flummery]

I also believe (but it's hearsay) that for all their impressive size, Orpingtons don't lay a particularly big egg.

I've got Warrens. I love them, they are such characters. Mind you, they are the only chickens I've kept, so I would be biased, wouldn't I?

[Glutton4...]

I'm going to vote for Warrens too! I have an assortment now, but the ex-Batties are my favourites!

[jessmorris]

..I spoke to someone who has had Orps and they said don't bother, they are huge and spend their whole time eating..............(prepared to be shot down in flames here!...............)

[Pumpkin Becki]

I'll be getting Orpingtons (hopefully this year). I was chatting to the breeder last year, and she said that although they are big (hers can look over the side of a wheelbarrow with no difficulty), they are so gentle that they can tend to be bullied by other chooks. So it may be better to keep them separate from other breeds - but understand, I have no personal experience to draw on here.

[petal]

buff orpingtons! They are so friendly and so pretty and do lay ok, probably not as much as warrens but if you want the fluffy factor then go for it!!!

[greenarmy]

Thanks everyone for all your advice, still confused though!!! are warrens a flighty bird or calm chilled out???

[Glutton4...]

My Warrens (ex-Batts) are very chilled, and very friendly. They will hop up onto your lap for a stroke. Follow you around for a titbit; bacon rind or crust of bread. Not at all flighty, as far as I'm concerned.

[Hilary B]

It's all down to what you want.
Orpingtons were a very popular breed with farmers wives who wanted the egg money (that being the bit they could keep for their own use), but that was before the Warrens and similar types were developed.
Warrens are more efficient 'egg makers'. I suspect that apart from the 'fluffy factor' that is the biggest difference.....
If you want eggs for minimum production cost, go for the Warrens, if you are more interested in big fluffy hens, you want the Orpingtons......

[petal]

also, if you intend to get a cockerel, buff orpingtons are amazing broodies and take note - I could of sold my buff orpington growers SEVERAL times over this season! they are mega popular with the buyer. If you only want eggs, then go for a warren, i'd say, although from my experience pullets that lay loads tend to end up getting a prolapse.Pure breeds lay less but seemingly for longer throughout their life, although there are always going to be exceptions.