Orpingtons were first imported to the U.S in 1900 and have been a favorite farm-flock and exhibition chicken since. In England, their popularity sky-rocketed and breeders developed many new varieties in addition to the Black, Buff, Blue, & White which are common in the U.S. Until very recently, none of these other color patterns had yet made their way over to the U.S. English-bred Orpingtons tend to have looser fitting feathers, shorter bodies, and shorter legs. They are broad across the back and have a more rounded shape compared to American-bred Orpingtons. Despite their differences, the English are still similar to the American-bred birds as they are good dual-purpose birds laying a good number of brown eggs and have a gentle temperament.
