Product Overview

The Buff Orpington Started Pullet is a 15 to 22 week old female chicken that is close to laying age and ready to become a beautiful, productive addition to your backyard flock. This is a great option for customers who want Buff Orpington hens without starting from day-old chicks.

Cackle Hatchery® offers Buff Orpington Started Pullets as older female birds. Each pullet is priced at $46.00, with a maximum of 2 per order only.

Shipping and handling charges are:

1 bird: $231.00
2 birds: $276.00

These started pullets are vaccinated for Marek’s disease at no additional charge. They are also fed non-GMO feed from day one, raised with human interaction to help reduce flightiness, and grown in large areas with other birds.

Why Choose Started Pullets?

Started pullets are ideal for customers who want female chickens that are already past the baby chick stage. Since these birds are 15 to 22 weeks old, they are much closer to egg-laying age than day-old chicks.

They can be a strong choice if you want:

A female chicken closer to laying age
A bird already raised past the brooder stage
A Marek’s vaccinated pullet
A bird fed non-GMO feed from day one
A pullet raised with human interaction
A less flighty backyard flock addition
A gentle dual-purpose breed
A classic brown egg layer

Started pullets still need a safe transition period when they arrive. Provide clean water, proper feed, secure housing, predator protection, and time to settle into the flock.

Breed Overview and Origin

Buff Orpington chickens originated in England and were recognized by the American Poultry Association as a pure chicken breed in 1902. Often called “Golden Chicken Beauties,” Buff Orpingtons are large, stately birds with soft golden-buff plumage and a quiet disposition.

This breed has remained popular for generations because it offers a helpful combination of beauty, calm temperament, brown eggs, and meat value. Buff Orpingtons are often chosen by families, homesteaders, and backyard chicken keepers who want a dependable dual-purpose chicken.

Customers who want to compare day-old chicks can review Cackle Hatchery’s Buff Orpington chicks listing.

Appearance and Characteristics

Buff Orpingtons are large, heavy-bodied chickens with soft buff-colored feathers, white skin, and a full, rounded appearance. Their size and gentle look make them a favorite for backyard flocks and family farms.

They are calm, steady birds with a quiet disposition. Although they are large chickens, that does not always mean they lay larger eggs. Like many dual-purpose breeds, they are valued for both egg production and body size, but egg size can vary by bird, age, season, and management.

These started pullets have already been raised in large areas with other birds, which can help them adapt to a flock environment when introduced properly.

Egg Production and Dual-Purpose Value

Buff Orpingtons are one of the best-known dual-purpose breeds for customers who want both eggs and meat value. Hens lay brown eggs and can be a good choice for families who want a dependable backyard bird with more body size than many lighter laying breeds.

Because these started pullets are older than baby chicks, they may begin laying sooner after arrival, depending on their age, season, daylight, nutrition, and individual development.

Buff Orpingtons are also white-skinned, plump birds with strong meat value. Some customers keep younger hens for laying and use older birds for the stew pot, then raise new chicks to keep the flock cycle going. This can help customers balance feed cost, egg production, and long-term flock planning.

Temperament and Family-Friendliness

Buff Orpingtons are known for being calm, gentle, and enjoyable to keep. Their quiet disposition makes them a good fit for backyard flocks, family farms, and customers who want a less flighty breed.

These started pullets have had human interaction, which can help them be calmer around people. As with any chicken, gentle handling and a low-stress environment will help them settle in.

Because of their size and temperament, Buff Orpingtons are often a good option for families who want friendly backyard hens. They also make excellent broody mothers for baby chicks.

Broodiness and Mothering Ability

Buff Orpington hens are well known for broodiness and mothering ability. Many customers appreciate this trait because a broody hen may help hatch or raise chicks.

Broodiness can be a benefit for customers who want natural chick-raising behavior. However, it can also reduce egg collection when a hen decides to sit. Customers who want steady egg production should understand that broodiness is part of this breed’s personality.

For customers who enjoy traditional flock management, this mothering ability can be one of the breed’s best qualities.

Buff Orpington Started Pullet vs Day-Old Chicks

Choose a started pullet if you want an older female bird that is closer to laying age and already past the brooder stage.

Choose day-old Buff Orpington chicks if you want a lower starting price, more order flexibility, or the experience of raising chicks from the beginning.

Cackle Hatchery® also offers Buff Orpington Exhibition Type chicks for customers interested in a show-quality type of this breed.

Buff Orpington Standard vs Buff Orpington Bantam

Customers who like the full-size Buff Orpington may also enjoy the miniature version. The Buff Orpington Bantam Chicken offers the same general color and breed charm in a smaller package.

Choose the standard-size started pullet if you want a larger dual-purpose bird for eggs, meat value, and backyard flock presence. Choose the bantam if you want a smaller ornamental version that takes less space.

Hatching Eggs Option

At limited times of the year, Cackle Hatchery® also offers Buff Orpington Fertile Hatching Eggs for customers who want to incubate and hatch this breed at home.

Hatching eggs are a different experience than ordering started pullets. Started pullets are older female birds, while hatching eggs require an incubator, careful temperature and humidity control, and chick brooding after hatch.

Started Pullet Guarantee and Refund Note

Cackle Hatchery® does not offer reshipments for these birds. Only a refund of the bird cost is offered under the started pullet policy.

Customers should review Cackle’s Chicken Guarantees and Policies page before ordering. Because started pullets are live juvenile birds, customers should be ready to receive them promptly and move them into safe, prepared housing.

Shipping, Pricing, and Order Limits

Buff Orpington Started Pullets are priced at $46.00 each.

Current order limits and shipping charges:

1 bird: $231.00 shipping and handling
2 birds: $276.00 shipping and handling
Maximum: 2 per order only

These shipping charges reflect the special handling required for older started birds. Started pullets are much larger than day-old chicks and require a different shipping process.

Not available for residents of:

Minnesota
Virgin Islands
Alaska
Hawaii
Puerto Rico

Customers should check the Buff Orpington Started Pullet product page and Cackle’s Availability Chart before ordering.

Is This Product Right for Your Flock?

Choose Buff Orpington Started Pullets if you want:

A 15 to 22 week old female chicken
A calm backyard hen
A brown egg layer
A dual-purpose breed for eggs and meat value
A Marek’s vaccinated started pullet
A bird fed non-GMO feed from day one
A pullet raised with human interaction
A less flighty flock addition
A broody hen with mothering ability
A maximum order of 2 started pullets

Overall, this is a strong choice for customers who want a gentle, beautiful, dual-purpose brown egg layer without raising day-old chicks. It is not the best choice for customers who want large quantities, need birds shipped to restricted locations, or prefer to raise chicks from the beginning.

Recognition and Availability

Cackle Hatchery® sells Buff Orpington Started Pullets as 15 to 22 week old female chickens.

Customers may also want to compare Buff Orpington chicks, Buff Orpington Exhibition Type, Buff Orpington Bantam Chickens, and Buff Orpington Fertile Hatching Eggs.

Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources

If you like this product, you may also want to compare Buff Orpington chicks, Buff Orpington Exhibition Type, Buff Orpington Bantam Chickens, Buff Orpington Fertile Hatching Eggs, Brown Egg Layer Chickens, Dual Purpose Chickens, and Grown Fowl / Started Pullets.

Helpful Cackle resources include Chicken Guarantees and Policies, Chicken Care Instructions, Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart, and Availability Chart.

FAQ: Buff Orpington Started Pullet

What is a Buff Orpington Started Pullet?

It is a 15 to 22 week old female Buff Orpington chicken that is closer to laying age than a day-old chick.

How much does a Buff Orpington Started Pullet cost?

Each pullet is listed at $46.00.

What is the maximum order?

The maximum is 2 Buff Orpington Started Pullets per order.

What are the shipping and handling charges?

Shipping and handling is $231.00 for 1 bird and $276.00 for 2 birds.

Are these pullets vaccinated?

Yes. They have been vaccinated for Marek’s disease at no additional charge.

Are these started pullets fed non-GMO feed?

Yes. They are fed non-GMO feed from day one.

Are these pullets used to people?

Yes. They have had human interaction, which helps make them less flighty.

Are they raised with other birds?

Yes. They have been raised in large areas with other birds.

Are Buff Orpingtons good backyard chickens?

Yes. Buff Orpingtons are calm, beautiful, dual-purpose chickens that make a great addition to backyard flocks.

Are Buff Orpingtons good for eggs?

Yes. They are good brown egg layers, although individual production can vary by bird, age, season, feed, and management.

Are Buff Orpingtons good for meat?

Yes. Buff Orpingtons are a dual-purpose breed with white skin, a plump body, and good meat value.

Are Buff Orpingtons broody?

Yes. Buff Orpington hens are known for broodiness and can make excellent mothers for baby chicks.

Are Buff Orpingtons friendly?

Yes. They are known for a quiet disposition and can be a good fit for family flocks.

When was the Buff Orpington recognized by the APA?

The Buff Orpington was recognized by the American Poultry Association as a pure chicken breed in 1902.

Does Cackle offer reshipments on these birds?

No. Cackle does not offer reshipments for these birds, only a refund of the bird cost under the started pullet policy.

Where are Buff Orpington Started Pullets not available?

They are not available for residents of Minnesota, Virgin Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.

Does Cackle sell Buff Orpington baby chicks too?

Yes. Cackle also sells Buff Orpington chicks and Buff Orpington Exhibition Type chicks.

Is there a bantam version?

Yes. Customers who like this breed may also like the Buff Orpington Bantam Chicken.

Does Cackle sell Buff Orpington hatching eggs?

Yes. Cackle offers Buff Orpington Fertile Hatching Eggs at limited times of the year.

Where can I check availability?

Check the Buff Orpington Started Pullet product page and Cackle’s Availability Chart for current ordering options.