Self-blue (true lavender) Orpington - the rare ghost-gray color variant of the classic Orpington. Same calm temperament and exceptional egg-laying as Buff Orpingtons, in a stunning pale lavender plumage that commands premium prices. FastPoultry takes free quote requests for Lavender Orpington as hatching eggs, day-old chicks, started pullets, and breeder pairs and matches each one with NPIP-certified breeders within 1 business day.
| Origin | United Kingdom and USA - early 2000s |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | Watch (rare color variety) |
| Adult weight | Roosters 10 lb, Hens 8 lb |
| Size class | Standard |
| Eggs per year | ~200 |
| Egg color | Brown |
| Egg size | Large |
| Broodiness | High |
| Cold hardiness | Excellent |
| Heat tolerance | Fair |
| Noise level | Quiet |
| Flight tendency | Calm/won't fly |
| Beginner friendly | Yes |
The 'lavender' (true self-blue) gene is recessive and was deliberately bred into Orpingtons in the early 2000s, primarily in the UK. Unlike the Blue Orpington (single dilution of black, which produces blue/black/splash on a 1:2:1 ratio), lavender breeds true - two lavender parents produce all lavender offspring. This made the variety explode in popularity among small-flock owners. Not yet APA-recognized; some color faults (feather curling, brittle shafts) are still being bred out.
Best for: eggs, show, pet, broody mother
| Indoor coop space | 4.5 sq ft per bird |
|---|---|
| Run space | 12 sq ft per bird |
| Roost bar | 10 in per bird |
Space: Identical to Buff Orpington. Heat-sensitive.
Feeding: Layer feed 16%. Lavender plumage stays brightest with low-melanin feed (no kelp).
Health: Lavender gene linked to feather quality issues - choose breeders with at least 3 generations of clean stock.
Climate: Zones 3-7. Same as Buff Orpington.
You can request Lavender Orpington through FastPoultry, which matches buyer requests with breeders. Choose from 4 request pages for hatching eggs, day-old chicks, started pullets, and breeder pairs, then tell us your quantity, preferred age, and delivery state in the form on this page. Matched breeder options arrive within 1 business day, and you arrange payment, pickup, or shipping directly with the breeder you choose.
Prices for Lavender Orpington are set by each breeder and change with season, line quality, age, and quantity, so FastPoultry does not publish a fixed price. Submitting a request is free. Matched breeders reply with current pricing, and you should ask whether the quote includes boxing, shipping, and vaccinations before you pay the breeder directly.
A Lavender Orpington hen lays roughly 200 eggs a year, and the eggs are large and brown. Broodiness is rated high. Real production depends on strain, hen age, season, and daylight, so ask breeders about the laying record of their parent stock.
Yes. The Lavender Orpington is rated beginner friendly. Temperament: calm, friendly, broody, gentle; cold hardiness: excellent; heat tolerance: fair; noise level: quiet. It is best for eggs, show, pet, and broody mother. Check local rules on roosters and flock size before you buy.
The USDA NPIP state importation table (May 20, 2026) lists VS Form 9-3 as required for shipments into 44 of 50 states, and 31 states list a permit, approval number, or other entry requirement, so check your state's location page before you order. VS Form 9-3 is the NPIP report of sales that the shipping breeder completes, and some states add a permit number, a Pullorum-Typhoid or avian influenza clean-flock rule, or a health certificate. FastPoultry does not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands through standard requests.
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