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Buff Orpington All You Need To Know: Temperament and Egg Laying

Buff Orpington

Is there another breed that more quintessentially says English barnyard hen than a Buff Orpington?

People almost always picture a plump, stately, beautifully feathered hen going about her business in the barnyard as if she owns the place and is most definitely not in a hurry!

As we shall see, the Orpington is a fairly recent breed created by the vision of a man who felt that creating a dual-purpose bird that was bigger and better than existing breeds was possible.

This article discusses Orpington’s temperament, breed characteristics, egg-laying capabilities, and recognized variants, focusing on the ever-popular Buff Orpington.

Buff Orpington Cheat Sheet

Orpington Cheat Sheet
TypeStandard
ClassEnglish
TemperamentVery gentle and docile in nature
Kid-friendlyYes they are very calm birds
BroodyYes they make great mothers
Heat HardinessNo, need plenty of shade and water in hot temperatures
Cold HardinessYes
Space per bird5-10 square feet
Beginner FriendlyYes
Eggs per year200-280
Egg SizeLarge
Egg ColorBrown
Dual PurposeYes
Mature WeightMale: 160 oz
Female: 128 oz
Sex LinkNo
Comb TypeSingle
Heritage BreedYes
Processing Age Ready16-20 weeks
Lifespan8-10 years
Cost of ChickenCan cost between $5-$35

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The History of the Buff Orpington

Buff Orpington

In the late 1880s, ‘chicken fever’ in England was dying down.

People had turned from the novelty of breeding and keeping all sorts of exotic and strange birds for fun and curiosity to breeding a more practical and useful bird.

One such person was William Cook – a coachman living in the town of Orpington in the county of Kent, England.

He didn’t start his interest in chickens until later in his life, but he was fascinated by the possibility of breeding a better fowl for both the table and egg production.

He began by selecting birds that were good layers and of suitable table size. The three breeds he originally used were Minorca, Langshan, and Plymouth Rocks.

In 1886 he ‘unveiled’ the Black Orpington breed – which became an almost overnight success in England thanks to great publicity.

It was bred to be black to hide the dirt and soot prevalent in cities at that time.

The next color to be revealed was the Buff, which remains the favorite color of Orpington chickens. Also following along, there were the White and Blue, and Splash colors of the bird.

When Mr. Cook revealed his birds to the general public, he received rave reviews in the UK. It rapidly became the most popular breed in the land and, within ten years, was being exported to other countries, including the US.

There was even an Orpington ranch in South Africa! When Cook himself went to the US to sell his lines of birds, he met great success.

Apparently, he was a great salesman and very quickly got farmers and poultry folks interested in his dual-purpose breed.

Buff Orpington: The Creation

Now, if you can cast your mind back to the beginning of this article, you will remember that the original black Orpington was created from the Langshan, barred Rock, and Minorca.

None of those breeds have anything remotely ‘buff’ about them, So Mr. Cook used gold spangled Hamburgs, Dorkings, and buff Cochins to create the Buff Orpington.

There is also speculation that an old breed known as the Lincolnshire buff was used, although Cook refuted this.

This was extremely controversial and to this day is unusual to use several different breeds to create different color birds of the same name!

If you think of the ‘Orpington’ as a brand rather than a breed, it makes more sense.

Breeders created the buff to fulfill a need for a buff-colored chicken at the time. It is a heritage chicken that has since become a favorite to many people.

They were the favorite breed of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and her flock won several awards for their beauty and grace.

Buff Orpington

Buff Orpington Breed Standard and Appearance

Until 2016 the Orpington breed was considered endangered.

Thanks to many backyard chicken keepers, the breed has now been removed from the American Breed Livestock Conservancy list.

Renewed interest in this favorite has seen the numbers of Orpingtons – particularly buffs rise steadily.

The bird’s appearance should be a heavy, broad body with a low stance, fluffed out feathers, and a curvy, short back.

The bird should be well feathered with broad, smooth feathers. Feet and shanks should be clean and pinkish-white in color, and the flesh is white.

The beak also is pinkish white. Eyes are reddish bay color; wattles, comb, and earlobes should be red.

The single comb should have five points – there is also a rose comb variety.

Orpingtons come in two sizes – large fowl and bantams.

Buff Orpingtons
Large fowl should be around ten pounds for the male and eight pounds for the female. Bantams weigh in at 38 oz. Male and 34 oz. Female.

In all other respects, the bantam should reflect the large fowl.

The bantam Orpington is one of the largest bantams available – if you can find them!

The American Poultry Association admitted the Orpington colors to its standard as follows:

  • Buff color – 1902
  • Black color – 1905
  • White color – 1905
  • Blue color – 1923

UK standards are subtly different and state that the body should be deep and broad, curvy with a shortish tail. The plumage should be ‘close’ – not ‘fluffy’ like a Cochin or ‘tight’ like a Game Fowl.

Buff Orpington: Disposition and Egg Laying

All Orpingtons are said to be docile and friendly, but this is especially true of the buff.

They are very calm and stately – they sort of glide across the barnyard – unless they are running for treats, in which case they hike up their ‘skirts’ and run like crazy!

They love to be cuddled and will often seek you out to let you know they need attention.

Their fabulous feathering makes them very cold, hardy, although they can chill and die quickly if their feathers get sodden. Orpingtons tolerate warmer climates but need to have access to shade during the heat of the day.

They make great broodies and good mothers. They will usually accept hatching eggs being placed under them.

The buff roosters are fiercely protective of their offspring and even take a spell on the nest to give mom a break!

They are a top choice for many families because the buff is superb with children, tolerating all sorts of things kids do.

However, keep a watchful eye since they have a strong beak that can deliver a mighty peck if needed.

Being so laid back and friendly makes them a great project bird for the 4H clubs since they tolerate handling and confinement so well.

These same qualities make for a great show bird also as they are not upset by frequent handling, strange environments, and unusual noises.

They tolerate confinement very well, and although they will free-range, they rarely forage, relying mainly on the feeders.

They are reliable layers of large brown eggs, around 200–280 per year. If you are raising them as a meat bird, they are table-ready at around 22 weeks.

They are often considered the perfect dual-purpose chicken.

Is the Buff Orpington Right For You?

If you are looking for a big fluffy chicken that lays well, has a sweet disposition, and tolerates small children, this may be your choice!

Buff Orpington

 

Their calm, docile and friendly nature leads them to a family-oriented flock. They interact well with people, and I don’t believe they have a mean bone in their bodies.

Because of their non-aggressive nature, you should not put them with more aggressive breeds such as Rhode Island Reds or Welsummers.

They are likely to get picked on and be at the bottom of the pecking order.

If you are a town/city dweller, the buff is a tranquil bird, ideally suited for confinement in a smallish yard. They are a great bird for beginners as they are easy to handle and fairly low maintenance.

The only downside to this beauty is their tendency towards broodiness. However, if you wish to raise your own chicks, the buff is a perfect fit! They are good mothers and care very well for the chicks.

High temperatures are not well tolerated, so you should provide shade, ventilation, and lots of space for these large birds. Winter is a breeze for them with their extra fluffy feathers; they shake off the cold.

Because their feathers are so dense, they should be checked regularly for lice and mites and treated accordingly. Many folks treat them with poultry dust regularly because it’s hard to spot little creepy crawlies amongst all those feathers.

As they are such large birds, they tend towards laziness, and they should be allowed to exercise as much as is possible.

Orpington’s Enjoy Eating

They can be heavy feeders with a tendency towards obesity – this needs to be monitored for the bird’s health.

The Buff Orpington enjoys its time at the feeder, but it is not a lazy forager. As a middle-of-the-road free-range bird, the Orpington will do a decent job of seeking out what she needs in the barnyard.

With that being said, she loves hand-outs, and if you happen to be spending time on the porch or having a picnic, she’ll crash the party and expect her own plate.

The Orpington is a difficult bird for predators to kill due to its large size and underestimated feather density. This lovable breed is also a little aloof when it comes to predators, which could be why it enjoys hanging out by the feeders.

But if you add a rooster to your free-range flock, your hens will have an extra pair of eyes watching out for them.

FAQs on Buff Orpingtons!

What is the age you would suggest for meat processing for Buff Orpingtons?

We recommend that they are ready for harvesting between the 16-20 weeks of growth.

Buffs and Orpingtons in general begin laying between 5-7 months or 21-30 weeks of age.
And like we said earlier, they can lay an average to an above average amount of eggs compared to the typical hen.

What chickens get along with Buff Orpingtons?

Buff Orpingtons because of their calm nature are prone to being bullied. They work best with calmer chickens like: Brahmas, other Orpingtons, Cochins, Sussex, and Faverolles.

How much space do Buff Orpingtons need?

For most birds, it’s about 4 square feet per bird. Buffs are one of the bigger breeds,  so ideally, we recommend 10 square feet per hen IF YOU CAN inside the coop and run.

Buff Orpington Breed Standard – Summary

The Buff Orpington breed changed the world of dual-purpose chickens. The regular table hen was usually fairly scrawny until they came along and was not the best layer of eggs.

Of all the varieties of color available, the buff is the stand-out favorite.

Perhaps this is because of the warm color of the feathers combined with a calm and friendly disposition.

They aren’t noisy like some other breeds, nor are they pushy.

Despite controversy and family feuds, the Orpington has endured.

Declining numbers were halted and reversed by backyard chicken enthusiasts such as yourself.

The breed (especially the buff) is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and proves that heritage birds most definitely have a place in everyone’s home and heart.

Our Choice for All-In-One Automatic Chicken Coop Door

Run Chicken

  • Works Rain or Shine so you don’t have to let them out in inclement weather.
  • Go ahead and get those extra hours of sleep or go on vacation, our door has you covered.
  • Protect your Chickens from Predators with our self-locking feature

Our Choice For Best Chicken Treats

Happy Grubs: More Calcium Than Mealworms

  • Increase Egg Production
  • Stronger Egg Shells
  • Healthy Feathers

Do you own buffs? We would like to hear your stories of this gentle breed in the comments section below…

Read Next: Chickens That Lay Blue Eggs (Up To 300 per Year!)

Buff Orpington All You Need To Know

 

 

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87 thoughts on “Buff Orpington All You Need To Know: Temperament and Egg Laying

  1. I have a white and buff orpington. The buff is definitely the friendliest. She is sweet. I got them a few months ago and they began laying last month. I have other chickens but she is one of my favorites.

    1. I have a buff that died last week and I am trying to find out why. She was 7 months old and was with 19 others, not all buffs. She was very lethargic for a few days before and didn’t appear to be eating but she was drinking. She walked fine, not bowl legged like she was egg bound and I have another one today that has been on the nest for over 2 hours now. I am giving them oyster shells, organic food and fresh water daily. Please advise! Thanks

      1. We got 2 Buffs two years ago. The first died of what we believe was egg peritonitis at about a year old, following a month of laying soft/shell-less eggs. Now our second Buff is starting to have the same symptoms. Doesn’t look good. Our other 8 hens (non-buffs) are fine.

        1. David, more details please. Up the nutrition. Layer pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables and a great calcium source. Even finely crushed egg shells could help. Grit is important. I hope it’s not too late. Viruses can be responsible and the ones with superior immune systems will survive. Randomly get a fresh poop sample and get it tested for parasites. Clean that coop out well.

        2. I have owned chickens most of my life as a hobby, I’m 45. I currently have 24 Buff Orpingtons. I know that layer pellets are very popular, but anytime I have ever used primarily layer pellets, my hens have laid very thin/no shelled eggs. I no longer use layer pellets at all. When I did continue to use them in the past, I mixed them with other feed such as 3 grain scratch and a basic feed pellet or crumble and some oyster shell to give them a more varied diet and to keep their shells from being so thin.

      2. Do you feed them grit? Not feeding grit can cause problems in chickens(bad ones). Oyster shells are NOT a grit substitute.

      3. Crush a clove of garlick in there water each time you fill it.
        Always feed fresh herbs, oregano, garlick and olive oil are your hens best friends.
        Itll keep away parasites and boost their immunity.
        Ive never had to treat my birds for parasites and ive been keeping them for 20 years.
        Another good tip is epsom salt baths. When a hen is looking under the weather, a warm epsom salt bath and somewhere warm to dry off will fix a multitude of issues

      4. Do you have grit in the coop? Do your chickens free range? If they are in a coop they need grit. That helps with digestion.

    2. I love my buffs too !!
      A little bossy but that’s fun to watch !! She stand outside my flower beds and waits for me to shew her away 😊
      I call her blonde 😍

  2. I read your article with great interest because I have a 3-month old Buff rooster and two of his sisters. I can honestly say he is the meanest rooster I have ever encountered. I also have a Rhode Island Red rooster and love him dearly. He is so calm. That Buff rooster has bitten me one too many times! His sisters, however, are great.

    1. It’s true what they say, even with the friendliest of breeds there ‘rotten apples’! Have you not considered removing him from your flock Trish 🙂 !?

    2. It could be that he is just over zealous while he is still a teenager. He could well calm down when he’s a bit older. Mine did.

    3. My Buff Rooster (BA BA Buddy) For a young roo he is very protective of his ladies, if they get rattled so does he. He’ll even go in the coop with them and scream with them when their laying eggs. I got him and his girls when they were 18 weeks old. He was very gentle at first but when he started crowing he started getting aggressive (biting at me). I started picking him up and walking around rubbing his crop, comb and talking to him very softly. Now he’s a big baby let’s me pick him up and pet him like he looks forward to it but I did notice if a stranger comes around he gets a little aggravated starts his little dance and sizes them up like he’s going to attack. It all seems to be a show so far as he hasn’t done anything yet. He’s still under a year old and time will tell how his attitude will be when he’s mature.
      I hope this helps someone with dealing with that angry roster a little love seems to go a long way.

    4. My girl, Matilda, was a rescue from the woods next to my house. I did try to locate her owner w/o luck.. So, we decided to keep her. She’s a delight! My husband has several “conversations” w/ her every day. When I put her on my lap, she actually takes a nap. It’s an amazing experience!

    5. How unfortunate! My buff Orpington rooster is the sweetest and mellowest rooster I have ever had. Please don’t let the “rotten egg” ruin the breed for you. Mine have always been sweet.

  3. I have 5 Buff Orpingtons that are a year old, (my 6 little ones were killed a month ago) these are the best birds! Super friendly, my 8 year old nephew could pick up and carry both the 4 month old and year old birds with out issue. They all will come running when called and put them selves away before it’s dark out. I had a thermostat that turned on at 35 and off at 45 degrees over the winter and they did just fine in their coop.

    1. Hi Suzy I have a buff cockerel but am looking for hens to keep him happy . Have you any idea where I could purchase some buff Orpington chickens??? Please email me on fnamdar@mac.com thankyou

    1. Hi Angela,
      I did a quick search through some poultry dealers in Australia and they all had Buff Orpingtons as either pullets or fertilised eggs 🙂
      Claire

    2. There’s a heritage breeder in Gordon ( central highlands Vic) that sells Buff Orpingtons. I have two buffs and two Barnevelders.

  4. Are barred rocks and Plymouth Rocks the same breed at the start of your article you said barred rocks and later Plymouth??

  5. I’m in south Spain and we have a pair of buff orpingtons in our small flock. They do quite well in our hot summers (over 40ºC average) They spend most of their day under the fig trees, and love to dust bath when I’ve just irrigated them.
    My girl has gone broody on my once, but it was easy to reverse, by just placing her back on the perch with the others every evening. But I think next year I’ll let her hatch out some eggs. I’m sure she’ll be a very good mum. She is so attentive with the other hens chicks.

  6. I have a flock of five Buffs. After raising them for almost five years, I will never have any other breed. In spite of two who often go broody, I love these sweet birds dearly!

  7. I so very much enjoyed this article. Would like to get some of this awesome birds. I hope they will get along with my Americauna breed.

  8. Waooo! This is great article, i develope my intrest while reading the post. But i just want to confirm whether the breed is available in Nigeria. Thanks

    1. Thank you Benedict 🙂
      I’m uncertain, you’d have to contact your local breeder.
      Claire

  9. I have 10 golden sex links and 4 buff hens. I can say that 2 of my buffs are mean and bully’s to humans and the rest of the flock. I’m finding that my golden sex links are much more friendlier overall.

  10. I have two buffs, one who has gone broody three times. The first two, I isolated her for a few days in a wire cage and she snapped back within a week. This time she won’t come out of it. It’s been over a month and one of my Anericaunas has pecked at her a few times. I have no interest in having fertile eggs and I’m worried. Should I just let her go on or get her own nesting box and assume she will eat and drink enough? I take her out of box twice daily to run around and eat but she soon High tails it back to the box. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

    1. Try putting ice underneath her when she tries to sit… ive never tried to snap a hen out of broodiness ( we always like to have them hatch out chicks) but i read somewhere that this helps!

  11. Quiet, ha ha ha. That’s hilarious! I have a mixed flock of two Buffs (one hen is much larger than the other) and four Barnyard Easter Eggers. Mabel and Beatrice (my Buffs) are the loudest of the bunch. They are all sweet hens, very motherly to their flockmates. Beatrice is the boss, though. She loves to honk at me through the bedroom window every morning. They are great hens, love them so much!

  12. I purchased several from a hatchery as chicks and out of 20 I ended up with one that I am told is a Buff Heritage. The only way I can tell is by the color of her feet…..Betty Sue has big yellow feet! She is the sweetest of all my hens, but Buff Orpingtons are sweet.

  13. I have a trio of Buff’s who are around 24 weeks. Up to now the Cockerel has been the most friendly, eating out of my hand and allowing me to easily pick him up, but he has started behaving more aggressively and trying to peck me all the time. Does anyone have any ideas as to how to befriend him again?

    1. Start picking him up and walking around while talking to him softly make some jokes laugh with him he’ll warm up very quickly it worked with my Ba Ba Buddy.

    2. When a bird is getting aggressive u need to show him who is more aggressive /boss! Catch his and kneel down w/him between ur knees w/one hand on his back and the other on the back of his head gently pressing his beak to the ground for 30-45 sec. u may have to do this three or for times, But if he requires more than that make chicken soup out of him!!!

  14. I had several different breeds and my buff was definitely the quietest and most friendly. She did go Broody as well. She however met her demise by a large bird of prey. 🙁 I will be planning on more this spring.

    1. I have one Buff and 2 Golden Comets in my backyard. Olive, the Buff, is truly the sweetest girl. To watch all three, it appears the Comets are on fast speed and Olive is in slow motion. Olive, the Buff, brings a smile to my face everyday.

  15. I have a pair of buffs in a mixed flock. They are by far the friendliest and most outgoing of our flock!

  16. Very excited to read this article. I am going to pick up 6 Buff Orpingtons’s this afternoon. This will be my first time caring for chickens so I’m confident that we chose this breed!

  17. My husband and I wish to start keeping backyard chickens. After all I’ve read, I think Buff Orpingtons will be our first birds. So excited!

    1. We have 2 three week old buff Orpingtons and 2 three week old Rhode Island reds. They are all pretty friendly. I make sure I handle them several times a day. I want our grandkids to be able to handle them. One of the buffs in particular comes running when she hears my voice and seems to love being petted. This is our first experience with chickens and so far it’s been great!

  18. Hello thanks for the information! Honestly I am a bit perplexed because my buff orpington has taken to cock a doodle dooing in the morning. This bird is a hen and the queen of the run… But I swear to god I never heard a hen cockadoodle like that! ha ha ha!

  19. I have 2 Buff Orpington hens and just picked up 10 unsexed chicks! I am so excited because I adore my Goldie Hawns lol. Thank you for the article, it was a great read for a first time Buff owner.

  20. I have 1 buff, 2 Easter Eggers and a Plymouth Barred Rock. Sunshine, my Buff is definitely at the bottom of the pecking order and Hazel, my Barred Rock is the only one that will let me near her. I love them all so much!

  21. I have a Buff hen sitting on several eggs. If she hatches some should the babies be taken from her-until older or left for her to raise? Thank you for your answer.

  22. My Fiance and I just got 4 Buff ladies yesterday. Even in 24 hours you can notice a difference in their behavior. They are playful and curious. They tolerate being held in short bursts (mostly while we check to make sure their vents are clear). It’s only been a day and I couldn’t be happier with our choice.

  23. I’m really enjoying my three buffs so pretty and so easy and fun. Question: is there an average laying age for this breed? Mine are 21 weeks old (best guess), and showing signs. I’ve always left them out to run the yard all day, and am just thinking to start confining them to the run/coop until mid-day or so I can establish a good laying habit/location. As far as I can tell, they haven’t started laying yet but seem close. Not sure what I’m doing really. I’ve been slowly extending their time inside the run/coop in the morning, til 9 am, then 10 am, now 11 am. Hoping to can get them in the habit of laying, then let out for the rest of the day once they’ve laid. They don’t like it tho and boy do they let me know it – screamers!

  24. Hi I have five buff Orpingtons.
    One cockerel and four pullets. I have noticed that the cockerel has one black tail feather. Is this a fault? They are all really gentle , inquisitive and friendly. I love them.

  25. I have a RI red and two RI hens ( one is brooding) I have two six-week old Brahmas We let the The Brahmas out in the yard for playtime when it is nice and have found the RI rooster feeding the babies it is so cute I now have two tiny Buffs and can’t wait for them to get bigger so we can introduce to out reds they are so cute

  26. I bought 2 buffs a couple of years ago and named them Ethel and Lucy after the show I Love Lucy. They remain the sweetest hens in our flock and we have hatched half a dozen eggs from Lucy. Very grateful to the breed for their eggs and the friendliness they bring to our farm!

  27. I have six four week old buffs. They are so inquisitive and friendly. I make a point of holding each of them every day. They will come to investigate my empty hand. And when I have a treat. I love them dearly because they love me back. They really are awesome.

  28. Three years ago I had a flock of 18 Buff Olringtons. Neighbor dogs, raccoons, foxes and skunks slowly decimated the flock over 2 years. They were exceptionally good players and a joy to watch. When the last Buff was lost I replaced the flock with Rhode island Reds. They were flighty birds, didn’t lay as well, and were generally too much trouble.

  29. Got my first Buff earlier this year from a friend and she has gotten Broody so I have just put her sitting on 11 eggs from a buff rooster and a few different types of mothers so Im really excited and looking forward to seeing her hatch out the eggs. She really is so beautiful and I have moved her into my garage with a nice enclosure away from other hens as one f them has grown fond of pecking eggs.

  30. I have 4 buffs, 2 rooster 2 hens, my larger rooster is a hoot he wants cuddled all the time when I’m outside. He now takes naps on my lap while I sit out at the fire pit and goes in the car when I go to to the feed store. He falls asleep on my lap as I drive. The guys at the feed mill think its hilarious that he does this. He will be visiting the neighbors coop in a few months to fertilize a few batches so we can grow our flocks. He hates my husband and chases him away from me and sleeps with my 80 pound pit bull when allowed free range. Never thought I’d say it but love my rooster.

  31. I have 11 buff chicks about five weeks old mixed in with some laced polish , these buffs are friendly and strong , nothing seems to phase them. We got them at one week old straight run, they get along with other breeds and the ducks but they will be picked on by other breeds so We only keep docile breeds. If I sit in their yard they will come perch all over me . We love them , they have with stood 110 heat index temps

  32. Started on my chicken yard today. A walk in 10’x 6′ roofed pen with a raised roost and nesting box on one end. They can run the back yard if I’m out or 4’x20′ net portable run. I can order 10 Buff O’ chicks at tractor supply or look for a breeder close by. I’m still sitting the fence on chicks or poulets but there will be 10 buff orpingtons in my flock . My first coop but i have family and friends with small flocks. Some of theirs are buffs. That’s why I’m getting some. I want my own buffs now. Oh and fresh EGGs!

  33. I purchased 8 buff orpington pullets in March, this is the first time i have had this breed and I’m hooked, I’m in love with them. They are the sweetest birds and love to sit in my lap and follow me around the yard. I love my girls and will never have another breed of chicken, EVER lol.

  34. Hey Guys, I am in GA currently I have 5 RI Reds and three WelSummers I want to get me a few Buffs…. This is my question… Will they be okay in the summer…. Sometimes we get to high 90s… Any heat experience out there??

  35. Until recently, I had a large flock of Buffs. Several demanded that I carry them on my way to my horse barn! I can’t have chickens at all now because of city ordinances and my HOA, but when I move in the next couple of years, I plan to have another flock of Buffs, albeit smaller. They are quiet, calm, and great layers! The heat does bother them some, but winters don’t phase them at all. They make for delightful backyard pets!

  36. I have 3 buffs that I adore, they will act broody but after a few hours get up, how do I get them to stay on the eggs?? They are sweet girls but we’re raised away from humans so they don’t come to me, I wish they did

  37. I just got 6 buffs today, and a couple of hours later, one of them started limping, and she hasn’t been moving very much, mostly just sleeping. Should I just leave her? Or does she need special help? Or what do you suggest?

  38. When I was a child, the first flock of chickens we ever had were Buff Orpingtons, of the 10+ only one was ever an aggressive pain in the butt. (Old, raggedy, and in hindsight was probably just always ALWAYS broody) The rest were sweet, (and dare I say intelligent? ) birds. In particular, ‘Toots’ the first hen hatched on our land would frequently ride around the yard on my shoulder, and ‘Red’, the head rooster was a gentle giant. Red was full grown on arrival (several years old, but healthy, friendly, and enthusiastic about servicing his ladies) he didn’t develop his spurs until faced with competition from his almost full-grown sons. When those sons went off to freezer camp (yay dual purpose!) the slight aggression developing in Red went away almost immediately. He reverted to the massive, happy rooster whom childhood me could barely carry. (He’d let you with barely a squawk or wriggle, but he was seriously *massive* in a child’s arms)
    The buffs were the teachers for our Rhode Island/Leghorn cross flock. All 50+ chickens were free range, the Rhodies followed the buffs every time they were called (across 2+ acres of free forage) for the sheer probability of treats. Now. I don’t suggest having Rhodies with the Buffs. Had our Rhodies not come with their beaks clipped (not our choice, but they had wonderful lives from the day they were introduced to our coop regardless) Smaller but meaner. (Napoleon complex amiright?) They would in all likelihood have dominated the buffs. (Whose beaks remained intact)
    I live just below the 53rd North parallel. In my little area of the prairies the winter will get as cold as -35 for a few weeks (C or F, it’s about the same for both) The Buffs unfailingly came through that cold fat and happy. Definitely stressed the Rhodies far more (despite liberal use of heat lamps). For a few days in the summer temperatures can soar to 32+C (almost 90F rarely but occasionally a bit hotter) on those days the girls scratched out dust nests beneath the lilacs, pine and willow trees, and chilled out as happy as can be on the cool soil, moving only for a nice drink of water or to scratch the nest a bit deeper into the cooler soil beneath.
    Have been chicken-less for years, still on the farm. With everything else going on in the world around us it’s high time to stop being chicken-less. The new flock of Orpingtons arrive in May.
    Buff Orpingtons. 10/10 must recommend

  39. just got 6 buff chicks this morning. first timer with the chickens,but from all ive read and from all your comments I think I got the right breed for my goal. ( pets my grandchildren….especially the 6 yr old can enjoy. )and the eggs of course. not sure I will be able to get away with the meat use. shes only seen pics and already concerned about naming them !!!

  40. My two buffs randomly stopped laying. They are 6 months and started laying about a month ago and laying was getting somewhat regular but now have stopped to about 1 egg total every 3 days between the 2 of them.
    Any thoughts on why?
    I also have two ameraucanas with them. All the same age all introduced at the same time. They all started laying around the same time within a week of each other.
    The ameraucanas are laying just fine, 3 eggs between the two of them every 24hrs.
    The chickens are backyard with a very spacious run and protected coop.
    I give them organic feed and scratch with grit and oyster.
    Not sure what could be wrong with the buffs but any advice is appreciated!!

  41. A couple months ago I got my first chickens (as pullets) – a Buff Orpington, a Rhode Island Red, and a Black Australorp. The buff is the sweetest, bravest, and calmest and is top of the pecking order, followed by the red and then the black. The buff has come over to my backyard chair a couple times now and jumped up for petting. So sweet!

  42. I’m new to all this & have ordered 4 sixteen week old (vaccinated) Buffs. My entire family is very excited especially my grand daughters. My Coop & run is 20 X 6 & my wife is buying all the toys so they should be extremely comfortable in their new surroundings. Bottom line it’s a little expensive BUT it’s turning out to be a great family project

  43. Hi, I have 3 buff Orpington bantams, about 9momths old. All has been ok until a few weeks ago. One has taken to pecking the feathers from the others and eating them. I am keeping her separate within the pen, but as I try to put them back together, she corners one and feather pulls again, even growls. She has grown slightly bigger than the other two and doesn’t lay much. I’ve supplemented with protein and calcium. Has anyone any help for my problem please?

  44. I had a beautiful buff orpington rooster. He passed a few months ago. He was 7. I loved him so much!!! He was so intelligent, took good care of the hens & was the best rooster. He knew his name, I would call him & he would strut over to me. He loved to cuddle & snuggle. I miss him so much!! I have been thru 2 roosters since then & very disappointed with them. I hope one day I will find another just like him, he definitely was a one of a kind. He was so spoiled, the world revolved around him.

  45. We had never owned chickens until our neighbors asked us to adopt their 4 year old Buff Orpington from them a month ago. We absolutely adore Chloé! She is exactly as described in this article — quiet, calm, friendly, and she loves to socialize with us. She has the run of our large, fenced yard. She’s an excellent forager, and is currently feasting on hapless Brood X cicadas. She dependably lays an egg for us every other day, and has shown no tendency towards broodiness. She’s a real sweetheart!

  46. Wow, I had no idea Buff Orpingtons were such consistent layers! I’m always looking for a breed that will provide me with fresh eggs and this post has really piqued my interest. Can’t wait to learn more about their temperament and how they differ from other breeds. Thanks for sharing!

  47. I found this post extremely helpful! I have an Orpington chicken and I’ve noticed that she lays eggs in the morning, but then takes a nap afterward. It’s great to know that this is a common behavior for her breed. Thanks for sharing!

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