Orpington Surprise combines the beauty, fluff, and charm of Orpingtons with the excitement of a mystery color, making every chick a delightful addition to your backyard flock. Each chick is a surprise, and you’ll receive one chick per quantity ordered. They could be Buff, Lavender, Chocolate, Silver Laced, or other unique Orpington colors. These big, round, fluffy chickens could arguably be the softest of all breeds. Their abundant feathers give them the plush, flowing appearance of a Southern belle’s dress. Calm, friendly, and affectionate, Orpingtons are excellent family pets and great with children. Heavy-bodied and wide, they are easy to contain even with short fencing, and their cold-hardiness allows them to thrive in cooler climates.
Feather Colors
With Orpington Surprise, the feather color is our choice based on availability at the time of pick-up. They may be classic colors such as Buff, Lavender, Chocolate, or Silver Laced, or you could be lucky enough to receive a rare, unique, or specialty color. Each chick’s plush feathers create the signature Orpington fluff, making them soft, touchable, and irresistibly charming.
Eggs Hens will Gift
Gifts 3 to 4 large brown eggs per week. Surprise Orpington hens provide reliable egg production while adding beautiful variety to your backyard flock. Personality Orpington Surprise chickens are gentle, calm, and affectionate. They are perfect family pets, friendly with children, and social with other chickens. Their large, plush bodies make them easy to handle, and their calm, easygoing nature ensures that every interaction is a pleasure.
History
The Orpington breed was created in England in the 1880s by William Cook of Orpington, Kent. His goal was to produce a dual-purpose bird suitable for both meat and egg production. Over time, multiple color varieties were developed, including Buff, Lavender, Chocolate, and Silver Laced, each maintaining the Orpington’s characteristic fluffy body, calm temperament, and reliable egg-laying traits. The Orpington Surprise celebrates this diversity, offering a fun, unpredictable addition to any flock.
Sexing Method and Accuracy:
Vent sexing as a day-old is the most common method for standard sized breeds. Accuracy averages around 85–90%, which means there’s always a small chance of “surprise roosters.” The industry standard is to sell “female chicks” or pullets; even though 10–15% end up being accidental boys. Since many communities have ordinances against keeping roosters, we decide to be different!
While hatcheries and feedstores stop at the industry standard, we go further because we care. If your “female coverage” chick grows into a rooster, we will give that boy a free home and provide a store credit for the original purchase price with healthy return of the rooster. This way, your family is not left with the hardship of a city ordinance issue. For families who want zero risk of rooster surprises an heartbreak, we also offer DNA sexing services. DNA is the only truly accurate method, but is a bigger investment, costing about 3x more than a female-covered chick. The choice is yours. We’re here to make sure your flock is the perfect fit for your family.
Chick: Orpington Surprise Color
Scheduling – Order Pick-Up Commitment
Standard Pick-Up Times
Saturdays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mondays: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Book a Special accommodation appointment
Placing an order is your commitment to pick up your order based as described below:
Available Now Orders
Chickens (already hatched): Must be picked up within 6 days of purchase. Pick-up during standard times or by booking a special accommodation appointment.
Puppies & Kittens: “Go home” dates will be listed at purchase. You may also book an earlier pick-up appointment if available.
Feed & Supplies: Must be picked up within 1 year of purchase. Pick up at your convenience during standard pick-up times or book a special accommodation appointment.
Pre-Orders
A pre-order indicates the estimated month your animals will be ready for pick-up.
Once notified your order is ready, you must pick up within 6 days of notification (any time during the month it becomes available).
Notifications are sent via text to the number provided at checkout.
👉 At checkout, please verify that your phone number is accurate and that it can receive text messages.
DNA-Sexed Orders
DNA-sexed chicks must be picked up within 6 days of notification.
We are unable to extend free boarding.
If not picked up within 6 days, the order will be forfeited.
The DNA testing fee deposit is non-refundable, but store credit (minus the testing fee per bird) will be issued.
Order Abandonment
Placing an order is a commitment to being available for pick-up within the stated timeframe.
Refunds are not provided. Instead, store credit is issued for a future order.
Store credit is valid for up to 3 years from the date issued (per Colorado law).
Disclosure Statement (Colorado Law Compliance)
By placing an order, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
No Refund Policy: All sales are final. Refunds are not available for abandoned, forfeited, or canceled orders. Store credit may be issued as described above.
Store Credit Validity: Store credit is valid for up to three (3) years from the date of issuance, after which it may be considered abandoned property under Colorado law.
Customer Responsibility: Customers are responsible for timely pick-up within the stated windows (including the 1-year deadline for feed & supplies) and for providing accurate contact information. Please confirm at checkout that your phone number is correct and able to receive text messages.
Health & Welfare: Once animals or supplies are picked up, the customer assumes all responsibility for their current and future health and care.