THE BLACK ORPINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 58, 10 March 1933, Page 12

THE BLACK ORPINGTON

UTILITY]" VARIETIES

Having stated that the White Leghorn is the most popular breed today, it seems unusual to expect that the Black Orping- ; ton might take its place within the next . decade. Yet those who have followed the j rise and fall of a breed's popularity will not be surprised if the Black Orpington , does supersede tlie Leghorn flocks of today. It should be clearly understood that . there are all qualities of strains within every breed, and whilst some' Orpingtons are still of the old Huffy '"show" type, the great majority today are really quite another breed. The utility Orpington is gradually being called the Australorp, a name used to describe the type of bird developed in Australia during the past twenty years. This .new type is longer 'in the back and leg, and has a longer tail. Both the Langshau and the Minorca breed are said to have been used in! their make-up. But the point is. that the Orpington has definitely proved itself a first-class layer, and often in the egg laying contests takes pride of place over all other breeds. Add to this the fact that the young cockerels make first-rate table birds and you have a more useful dual-purpose breed. For the owner with a small yard, and who takes a pride in his garden, the Orpington has another .quality;, for they will not fly over fences as easily as will the Leghorn. They, are not prone to go clucky too frequently, ; yet make good sitters when they do, and most reliable strains of today lay a full-sized egg. As previously mentioned New Zealand lias some of the best Leghorns in the world, and it would be a great pity if they-were. lost. The general opinion is that both breeds have their place and therefore the novice must try both before deciding which breed he is to coventrate on. Produced by the late William Cook in England -about ISDO, there are several varieties of Orpington, but today the Black is by far the most useful utility variety. - There are Buffs. Whites, Blues, and Reds, butr-only tlie Buff seems likely -j to remain permanently in our country. Many hish-egg: laying records are held by the Blacks, whilst in England a Buff put np a record of 351 eggs.