Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. Buff Orpingtons are not rare here in the US, but if they are rare in the UK, by all means go for them. I have raised BOs for years, and they are very cold hardy, friendly and gentle (my children, and now my granddaughter, made lap pets out of them), and they are good layers of large, brown eggs. Also, they make good, broody mothers if you want to breed them. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breed you decide to get, good luck with your flock.