Lavender Orpington Chickens: Complete Breed Guide
Chesapeake HatcheryLavender Orpingtons take everything people love about Orpingtons, the size, the hardiness and the famously sweet personality, and wrap it in soft, silvery lavender feathers. They're one of the most requested breeds we offer, and a flock of them is a beautiful sight in any backyard.
Here's what to know before you add Lavender Orpingtons to your flock.
Quick facts
| Egg color | Light brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Eggs per year | About 150–200 |
| First eggs | About 22–24 weeks |
| Adult hen weight | About 8 lbs |
| Temperament | Gentle, calm, people-friendly |
| Cold hardy | Yes, very |
| Heat tolerance | Moderate, needs shade in summer |
| Broodiness | Can go broody |
| Purpose | Dual purpose: eggs and meat |
| Comb | Single |
Where the Lavender Orpington came from
The Orpington breed was developed in England in the late 1800s by William Cook, who wanted a hardy, productive farm bird. Black, Buff and White Orpingtons came first. Lavender is a much newer color variety, developed by breeders who worked the lavender gene into Orpington lines over many years. Today the Lavender Orpington is one of the most sought-after colors among backyard keepers.
How the lavender color works
Lavender is a recessive color gene. A chick shows the lavender color only when it gets a copy of the gene from both parents. That's why lavender breeds true: when two lavender birds are bred together, all of their chicks are lavender too. All chicks from our lavender breeding pens carry and show the lavender color.
Day-old Lavender Orpington chicks have soft gray down. As they feather out, they develop the smooth, even silver-lavender plumage the breed is known for. Strong summer sun can give the feathers a slightly brassy or faded tint over time, which is normal and doesn't affect the bird. Shade helps keep the color soft.
Eggs and laying
Lavender Orpington hens lay about 150–200 large light brown eggs a year. Most start laying at about 22–24 weeks, a little later than lighter breeds. Production slows in late fall and winter as days shorten and during molt, then picks back up in spring.
Want a colorful egg basket? Lavender Orpingtons pair nicely with blue egg layers like the BBS Ameraucana and dark egg layers like the French Black Copper Marans. See our egg color chart for more ideas.
Temperament
Lavender Orpingtons are gentle, calm and affectionate. They tend to be easy to catch and handle, and they often come running to see what you're doing in the yard. That makes them a wonderful breed for families, children and anyone who wants friendly birds.
As with other Orpingtons, their calm nature means they may get picked on by bossier breeds. Give them space, more than one feeding spot, and introduce new birds gradually.
Raising Lavender Orpingtons in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware
Their dense feathers make Lavender Orpingtons very comfortable in Mid-Atlantic winters. A dry, draft-free coop with good ventilation keeps them healthy, and a heated waterer saves you from breaking ice on cold mornings.
In our humid summers, plan for heat. Heavy, fluffy breeds need deep shade, airflow and plenty of cool water. A shaded run also helps protect their lavender color. Our guide to the best chicken breeds for Mid-Atlantic weather has more tips.
Care basics
- Brooder: start chicks in a warm, draft-free brooder with chick starter and fresh water. See how to set up a brooder.
- Space: at least 4 square feet per bird in the coop and about 10 square feet per bird in the run.
- Feed: starter, then grower from about 8 weeks, then layer feed with oyster shell once laying begins.
- Treats: keep them to about 10 percent of the diet. Orpingtons can put on weight easily.
- Broodiness: collect eggs daily if you don't want a hen to go broody.
Lavender Orpington vs Buff Orpington
Personality, size, hardiness and egg color are very similar. Lavender Orpingtons are a rarer color and usually cost more than Buff Orpingtons, which have warm golden feathers. If you love the Orpington temperament, a mix of both makes a beautiful, gentle flock.
Frequently asked questions
Will my Lavender Orpington chicks be lavender?
Yes. Lavender is a recessive gene, and all chicks from our lavender breeding pens carry and show the lavender color.
How many eggs do Lavender Orpingtons lay?
About 150–200 large light brown eggs a year, starting at around 22–24 weeks.
Are Lavender Orpingtons good with kids?
Yes. They're one of the gentlest breeds and are usually easy to handle.
Why are Lavender Orpingtons more expensive?
Lavender is a rarer color that takes careful breeding to keep true, so supply is smaller than for common colors like buff.
Do Lavender Orpingtons tolerate heat?
They do fine with good shade, ventilation and cool water, but like all heavy, fluffy breeds they need extra care on hot days.
Can I buy Lavender Orpington hatching eggs?
Yes. Lavender Orpington hatching eggs are available for home incubation.
Ordering Lavender Orpington chicks from Chesapeake
All chick orders are pre-orders by hatch date. Shipped chicks travel by USPS Priority Mail to your local post office for pickup, and the post office calls when they arrive. Most breeds have a 6-chick minimum for shipping, and you can mix breeds that share a hatch date. Live near Maryland's Eastern Shore? Choose Free local pickup in Preston, with no minimum order. Marek's vaccination is optional and can be added in your cart, and every order is backed by our live arrival guarantee.
See chick shipping rates and times and free local pickup details, or read when to order baby chicks for the best spring dates.
