Russian Orloff
Dual purposeRussia
With its walnut comb, heavy beard, and hawklike expression, the Russian Orloff looks like it was designed by a committee of winter itself — and functionally, it was. This rare, tall breed keeps calm and keeps going through cold that stops most flocks.
Eggs per year
100–150
Egg color
Light brown
Egg size
Medium
Hen weight
6–7.5 lbs
Temperament
Calm and quiet
Broodiness
Rarely goes broody
Did you know?
The breed is named for Count Alexei Orlov, the Russian nobleman credited with popularizing it in the 18th century, though its deepest roots may reach back to Persia.
Russian Orloff egg production
Expect roughly 100–150 light brown eggs a year from a Russian Orloff in her prime — about 2–3 a week, or 8–13 dozen over the course of a year. That's a moderate, steady output rather than a record-setting one. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Russian Orloff is generally described as calm and quiet. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Russian Orloff rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It can struggle in extreme heat, so prioritise deep shade, ventilation, and cool water through the hottest part of summer.
Broodiness & raising chicks
Russian Orloffhens rarely go broody, which keeps the eggs coming but means they won't usually raise their own chicks. To hatch, you'll want an incubator — our incubation calculator tracks every step.
Space & feeding
A Russian Orloff hen is a large bird at 6–7.5 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Russian Orloff right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You want the most low-maintenance possible first bird
- You're in an extreme-heat climate
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Russian Orloff FAQ
- How many eggs do Russian Orloff chickens lay?
- A healthy Russian Orloff hen lays about 100–150 light brown eggs a year — roughly 2–3 a week, or 8–13 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Russian Orloffs lay?
- Russian Orloffs lay light brown eggs, medium in size.
- How big do Russian Orloff chickens get?
- A Russian Orloff hen weighs roughly 6–7.5 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Russian Orloffs cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Russian Orloff is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Russian Orloffs good for beginners?
- The Russian Orloff is calm and quiet and tends to suit keepers with a little experience more than absolute beginners.
- Do Russian Orloff hens go broody?
- Rarely. Russian Orloff hens seldom go broody, so they keep laying steadily but won't usually hatch their own chicks.
The Russian Orloff shows up in
More breeds to explore
Keeping Russian Orloffs?
Give every bird a profile in PoultryPal — track their eggs, weight, and life events, and see who's really your best layer.
