At a glance the quick version
British standard 2.2-3.4 kg drakes and 2.2-3.2 kg ducks; The Livestock Conservancy gives 6.5-8 lb (about 2.9-3.6 kg) drakes and 5-6 lb (about 2.3-2.7 kg) ducks. Metzer Farms lists 5-6.25 lb.
Looks how to spot one
Soft, waterproof feathers
A medium-sized, rounded duck with an oval head, a long gently curved neck and a body held slightly raised. The plumage is a warm, even buff; drakes have a yellow bill, ducks a brownish-orange one, and both have orange-yellow legs.26
Personality what they are like
Gentle, friendly and curious, and easy to handle as a pet. Buffs are fairly quiet and not easily startled, which makes them a relaxed garden duck.263
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active birds that forage well but do not fly. They enjoy daily time on grass and need splashing water rather than a large pond.234
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Ducks keep their feathers in order themselves by preening and bathing, so the main job is supplying clean water: drinkers deep enough for a duck to dip its whole head, and a pool or tub for bathing. Keep bedding dry and change it often, and stop runs from turning into deep mud.7
Home where they are happiest
A dry, well-ventilated and predator-proof house with roughly 0.4-0.55 m2 (4-6 sq ft) of floor per duck, plus a secure outdoor run with grass if possible. Sturdy fencing, fine hardware mesh, fencing sunk a little into the ground and overhead netting all help keep the flock safe.72
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete commercial waterfowl feed as the base, with leafy greens, other vegetables and the odd protein treat such as mealworms. Keep avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, nightshade plants and mouldy food away from them, and always offer fresh water alongside food.7
Company who they like around
A flock bird that should live with at least two or three other ducks. If drakes are kept, about one drake to four or more ducks keeps the group settled. Buffs get on best with other animals when introduced young.72
The story where it all began
William Cook, the breeder behind the Orpington chicken, created these ducks from Aylesbury, Indian Runner, Rouen and possibly Cayuga stock, showing a blue type in 1896 and the buff in 1897. The buff was standardised in Britain around 1910, reached New York's Madison Square Garden show in 1908 and entered the American standard in 1914.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is one of the few breeds whose official American name is simply a colour: 'Buff'.2
- 2
Buff pairs naturally produce three colours of ducklings, buff, blond and brown, because of a blue dilution gene.3
- 3
The same William Cook also created the famous Orpington chicken.1
- 4
A productive duck can lay more than 220 eggs a year.1
Recognised by the official bits
- American Poultry Association (APA)
- Added to the Standard of Perfection in 1914 under the name 'Buff'.2
- Poultry Club of Great Britain
- Buff standard published around 1910-1911; classed as a light duck breed.3
- Entente Européenne (EE)
- Recognised breed.1
- Rare Breeds Survival Trust (UK)
- Listed as 'priority' (2025-2026).1
- The Livestock Conservancy
- 'Watch' status.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Buff Orpington Duck. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterWater deep enough to dip the whole headevery day
- Egg collectevery day
- House spot cleanevery day
- Pool refreshA paddling pool or pond to splash inevery 2 days
- House full cleanevery 2 weeks
- Free rangeDaily time outside in a safe runevery day
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees poultry and waterfowlevery year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Orpington Duck - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, origin, history, recognition, weights, colours, eggs, conservation
- Buff or Orpington Duck - The Livestock Conservancy livestockconservancy.orgused for history, APA year, weights, appearance, eggs, temperament, conservation
- Orpington Ducks - Poultrykeeper poultrykeeper.comused for British weights, colours, history, temperament, eggs, colour genetics
- Compare Duck Breeds - Metzer Farms metzerfarms.comused for weights, eggs, flying, foraging, broodiness, conservation rank
- Domestic duck - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for lifespan, mallard ancestry, domestic behaviour
- Orpington Ducks - Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock breeds.okstate.eduused for origin, weight, varieties, eggs, temperament
- Duck Care Guide - Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic birdexoticsvet.comused for housing, water, diet, social needs, predator protection
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.