About the Russian Orloff

     The Russian Orloff is one of the oldest breeds of heritage poultry available today in the United States. Mentioned in literature as early 1774, the Orloff supposedly came to the United States sometime in the 19th century, but there is some controversy as to when the Orloff appeared in the U.S., due to the recent news that it was never included in the American Standard of Perfection (contrary to what many internet sources claim). Regardless of when the Orloff appeared in this country, it has never, to my knowledge, been a popular breed, and has remained rare throughout American poultry history. The large fowl version has never been approved by the APA (American Poultry Association), although a bantam version has been approved by the ABA (American Bantam Association). However, the standard for Orloff bantams as listed in the ABA Standards may not be very accurate when compared to the more reliable European standards.
     The Russian Orloff has, however, seen a resurgence of interest in the past few years. This can probably be attributed to the recent movement advocating the raising of "backyard chickens" and the old heritage breeds, which have been seen as more desirable than the miserable chickens often found in the commercial poultry industry. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits the breed has experienced so far is the recent formation of an active club for Orloffs in the United States, called the North American Orloff Club (a.k.a. United States Orloff Club). As breeders combine forces with backyard chicken farmers, the future of the Russian Orloff in America seems bright again.
     Despite its name, the ancestors of the Russian Orloff began in the Persian province of Ghilan, and were thus known as "Chlianskaia" in some of the early literary references to them. They derive their name from the Russian Count Alexey Grigoryevich Orlov, who did much to popularize the breed in Russia and perhaps even in America. Although Orloffs began in Persia and were popularized by the Count, the modern day Orloff is thought to be primarily a result of German breeders crossing local German breeds with the original Orloff chickens. Some of the breeds thought to have been crossed during this "German Refinery" period are the Thuringian, the Ushanki, and the Bruge. The Bruge, in particular, seems to have imparted its Malayoid-type appearance to the Orloff breed, as the Orloff today resembles some of the Malayoid chickens in its erect body carriage and low tail carriage. The Thuringian is a bearded chicken, and this breeds may have been the chicken that imparted the classic bearded and muffed characteristic now present in all well-bred Orloffs.
     Although the Orloff was never popular in the United States, it seems to have always maintained a small popularity in Europe, where it has been well-maintained and bred for many years. In fact, the British and German standards for the Orloff are probably the best standards available and should form the foundation for all serious Orloff breeders.