Chocolate Birchen (large)

      New (and pre-existing but not approved) Orpington colours in Australia

It is good to see new colours being developed in this magnificent breed.

Those intending to develop new colours need to remember that it takes generations of careful selective breeding to develop a new colour into a breed. Once it is ‘set’ and looking like an Orpington, another 3 generations of breeding true, plus exhibition 
by at least 4 Exhibition Breeders at National Orpington Club Shows and/or Club Sanctioned Shows in Australia is required to meet =

A - The Orpington Club (of Australia) requirements for acceptance by the Club for Club sponsored/sanctioned Shows
B - a submission to be prepared by The Club (on behalf of the Club) for the APS* 
 - note that the Club has no power over the decisions of the APS* and anyone can forward an application for colour approval to
    the APS*
# For new colour acceptance by The Orpington Club (of Australia) the Club's protocol must be adhered to 

3X3X4 = once the development has been completed to the point the birds look like Orpingtons =

the new colour needs to be exhibited for three (3) consecutive years in the Developmental Section/Non Standard Classes at Shows approved by the Orpington Club of Australia

this must include three (3) generations both male and female

and exhibited by four (4) Club Member Exhibition Breeders to prove they are breeding true across more than one backyard

detailed written and photographic records must be maintained
# each generation/bird must be identifiable from all others during this qualification period 
​              (micro-chipping is an excellent way to distinguish each bird/generation)

             3 consecutive years of exhibition/ 3 generations both sexes/ 4 Exhibition Breeders = 3X3X4

once a new colour is accepted by The Club =
a Club submission is forwarded to the APS* Board for consideration for inclusion in the APS*
- note that the Club has no power over the decisions of the APS* and anyone can forward an application for colour approval to 
   the APS*

      AOC (Any Other Colour) and AORC (Any Other Recognised Colour)

Some of these new to Australia colours were first started to be developed mid last century and some within the last few years.

list as of 2022

Blue Cuckoo AORC (both sizes)             Lavender Cuckoo AOC (both sizes)            Buff Cuckoo AOC (both sizes)
                                     Chocolate Cuckoo AOC (both sizes)                  Red Barred AOC (large only)

Lavender AORC (both sizes)

Crele in Gold, Silver, Blue, Chocolate < all AORC (both sizes)

Partridge in Gold, Silver, Blue, Chocolate  < all AORC (large only)

Columbian, Buff Columbian, Barred Columbian < all AORC (large only)

Ermine AOC (large only) < Sussex patterning

Red AORC (large only)

Spangle AOC, Blue Spangle AOC (bantam only)

Gold Laced AORC (both sizes)

Jubilee AOC (both sizes)

Chocolate Birchen AOC (large only)

^ all above are not recognised in the APS* for Orpingtons - some are not in the APS* at all (for any breed)

Splash AORC (both sizes) and only mentioned here as it is not yet recognised in the APS* for Orpingtons.
Splash is not a developed colour.

Chocolate AORC mentioned here as it is in the process of being accepted by the APS* for poultry, recognised for waterfowl.
Chocolate is not a developed colour and has existed in Australia since the mid 1950s.
(note that Chocolate Cuckoo, as listed above, is a developed colour)


* Australian Poultry Standard