Type and Colour
# Written resulting from research and consultation with other breeders of high standing within the exhibition world, also Judges who specialise in the breed


Male Characteristics

CARRIAGE :-  to be bold, upright and graceful; giving the appearance of an active fowl.

The body should be deep and broad with a ‘cobby’ appearance. With a back that needs to be nicely curved

with a somewhat short concave outline. The saddle must be wide while rising slightly, with a full hackle.

The breast should be broad, deep and well rounded; not flat.

The wings are to be small, nicely formed and carried closely to the body, the ends almost hidden by the saddle hackle.

A rather short tail, that is compact flowing and high, on a level with the birds eyes/head. No higher than the head preferred.

The head must be small and neat, but giving the impression of fullness over the eyes. The beak must be ‘strong’ and nicely curved. With eyes that are large, bold and appear to be soulful.

Remember that the comb is single, small, firmly set on head, evenly serrated and free from side sprigs. No other form of comb is permitted at this time.

A smooth face is essential, with wattles of medium length that should be somewhat rectangular and nicely rounded at the bottom. The ear-lobes should be small and elongated.
The neck should be of medium length, compact, curved nicely giving the impression of ‘gracefulness’ and with a full hackle.

All plumage should be reasonably profuse and close. Not soft, loose and fluffy as in the Cochin or close and hard as in the Game Fowl.

The legs and feet should be short and solid, giving a ‘solid, stocky’ appearance. The thighs should be almost hidden by the body feathers and set well apart. Four toes on each foot, straight and well spread.

Handling, firm.

Female Characteristics

The characteristics are similar to that of the male. The cushion should wide and almost flat in appearance with a slight rising to the tail. This is to give the back a graceful appearance with an outline approaching concave.



Main Colours  (as per colour standard)

Blue:-
Male Plumage = 
Hackles, saddle, wing bow, back and tail = dark slate blue. All other areas = medium slate blue. 
Each feather should show lacing of the darker shade of the back.
Female Plumage = Medium slate blue, laced with darker shade throughout except for head and neck hackle which should be 
a dark slate blue.
In both sexes = 
Beak = black. Eyes = black or very dark brown, black preferred. Comb, face, wattles and ear-lobes = red.
Legs and feet = black or slate. Soles of feet = can be white, black or slate preferred. Toe nails = white.

Black:-
Male and Female plumage = 
to be black with a steely green sheen. Beak, legs, feet = black. 
Eyes = black. Comb, face, wattles and ear lobes = red. Soles of feet = white, some black allowed. Toe nails = white

Buff:-
Male and Female plumage = 
to be a clear even buff throughout to the skin. Beak = white or horn, white preferred. Eyes red.
Comb, face, wattles and ear-lobes = red. Legs, feet and toe-nails = white. Skin = white.

Cuckoo:-
Male and Female plumage = 
Slate (a dark Grey colour) feathers in all sections crossed throughout their entire length by irregular light and dark bars that stop short of positive black and white. The tip of each feather must be dark. Feathers are to be free from shafting, brownish and/or orange/yellow/red tinge (across the entire body), and free of metallic sheen. Excellence is to be determined by distinct contrasts with an overall blending of all sections. The male can be no more than one shade lighter than the female. Under colour on all sections = must be a dark grey to slate. Skin = white.
Face, comb, wattles, earlobes and eyes = red. Beak = white. Legs either white or mottled over white skin.
Soles of feet, toes and toe nails = white.
Any feather resemblance to the Crele or Partridge, or any colour other than Cuckoo is a disqualification.


White:-
Male and Female plumage = 
pure snow white. Beak, legs, feet,toe nails and skin = white. Eyes, comb, face, wattles and ear-lobes = red.


Splash:-
Male and Female plumage =
A mixture of slate blue and white that has a faint bluish tinge.
The blue in feathers in the form of large irregular shaped 'blobs' as distinct from V-shaped ticking
Main tail feathers and primary wing feathers have a lesser amount of blue than the rest of the plumage
Undercolour = slate blue and sooty white evenly distributed
Blue Splashes to comprise no more than 50% of the plumage
Comb, Wattles, Face and Earlobes = Red 
Eyes = Black to dark Brown 
Beak = Blue, a small amount of white allowed (but no more than 20% of mandible, preferably on the tip only)
Shanks and Feet = Blue in adult birds
Soles of feet = White 
Toenails = White

Note the Splash Orpington is not recognised in the APS Edition2
It is only a recognised colour for the breed within The Orpington Club of Australia and is exhibited in the 'open' section with the Champion being eligible for Best in Show at an Orpington Club Show.
It is not eligible for Best in Show at any other Club or Organisations Shows


WEIGHTS

LARGE fowl =                                                                             BANTAM fowl =
Male = 4.55 to 6.35kg (10 to 14lb)                                               Male = 1.41kg to 1.58kg ( 3lb 2oz to 3lb 8oz)
Female = 3.40 to 4.80kg (7lb 8oz to 10lb 8oz)                            Female = 1.19kg to 1.36kg (2lb 10 oz to 3lb)


Serious Defects of the Breed

Side sprigs on comb. White in ear-lobes. Feathers on shanks or feet. Long legs. Any deformity. 
Yellow skin or yellow on the shanks or feet of any variety. Any yellow or ‘sappiness’ in the feathers of the White and Splash. 
Any feather resemblance to the Crele or Partridge in the Cuckoo.   Coarseness in head, legs or feathers. 
also = General disqualifications and Serious Defects as per the Australian Poultry Standards (APS) Edition2
Any feather resemblance to the Crele or Partridge, or any colour other than Cuckoo is a disqualification
Any feather resemblance to the Crele or Partridge, or any colour other than Cuckoo is a disqualification