Black Orpington

The Black Orpington is the oldest colour of the Orpington breed and is generally one of the larger birds. The breed standard requires birds to be black with a distinctive green sheen, with a black beak and eyes, black or blue legs and feet, and white soles.

A Rare and Striking Bird

Black Orpingtons are far less common than their Buff cousins, which makes them a sought-after addition to any flock. That deep, beetle-green sheen on jet-black feathers is genuinely striking in sunlight — they draw attention in any garden.

Like all Orpingtons, Blacks are calm, heavy-bodied birds that settle well into a mixed flock. They’re not flighty, they tolerate handling, and they’re one of the better dual-purpose breeds if you want both eggs and table birds.

Egg Laying

Black Orpingtons are reliable layers of light brown eggs, producing around 200 eggs per year under good management. Laying slows in winter without supplemental lighting, but they hold up well through the Scottish seasons.

What We Sell

We sell Black Orpingtons as hatching eggs, day-old chicks, growers (6–16 weeks), and point-of-lay pullets. All birds are raised free-range on our small farm in rural Scotland and handled regularly from hatch.

Ordering and Delivery

Hatching eggs are packed carefully and dispatched Monday to Thursday for next-day delivery across the UK. Live birds are available for collection or local delivery in Dumfries and Galloway — get in touch to discuss availability and timing.

Stock is limited. Black Orpingtons sell out quickly each season — if you’re interested, get in touch early to reserve your birds.