Oh my, how I wish my camera would talk to my 'pute, my genius son is trying to fix it from afar, but fear I will have to upgrade.
I got my buffs from McMurray, and highly recommend them. They have availability very soon, take a look. I have been using McMurray for over ten years with never a problem, and ventured out this year to others as the chicks I wanted were not available for many weeks. I will say, avoid The Poultry Hatchery at all costs, you can look at that forum and see my posts as to why.
In any case, I received about a dozen last year, and boy, were they gorgeous, healthy babies. I ended up selling but a pair, and they are the cutest, funniest, personality ducks. These two have mated for sure, altho the "man" tends to wander to the Pekins, he always come back to his bride. She on the other hand, wants nothing to do with the Pekin king, he tries, and her man will chase him off. She is a dedicated wife.
Mine turned out to be real good specimens, the male is very similar to a mallard, but more buff colored where the mallard would be grayish. The lady is true buff, absolutely buff in color, wish I could describe her in words. That soft buff that makes you want to pick her up and cuddle, because you know she is going to be super soft and satiny, and she is! Zero white feathers on her anywhere, no ring on neck, pure buff. They are quite a pair, very comical, can be friendly at times, especially when it comes to pea feeding at bedtime, they will eat from my hand. But super ducks, smaller than a mallard and certainly smaller than the Pekins, and they are very tight in their relationship. Mister is VERY mouthy, and I mean very. He never shuts up. Missus is quiet, only speaking when spoken to. Hmmmm, a little bit of a verbally abusive marriage or what?!?!? But he is a good guy, never nasty, just has a lot to say.
This breed is wonderful and they get along with the others quite well. The two drakes do not fight at all, but will tell the other to get off their woman in a friendly way, no fistfights. If you get a good pair, you will really enjoy them. It will be interesting to see what the incubating eggs show, the Buffs are just a bit smaller, but I know they have interbred with the Pekins at times, and have seen the results of that online, still quite pretty, with some white. Yes, know I can separate them, and will for just a few days when they go into their summer pens soon and get some more true Buff eggs, but for now they are enjoying their spring freedom so much together, hate to break it up. When I do, they pine for each other back and forth through the fence, a real tight group when they range.
Anyway, just wanted to give y'all my experience with this breed, and would recommend McMurray, very good customer service, Experimenting with other hatcheries this year as our supply here with local ag centers is sold out for many weeks to come. Trying Metzers for guinea, we NEED them, ticks are rampant, and some RI Reds from Mehers, need a new rooster, and will get some Dominiques as they become available. The best moms. But do steer clear of The Poultry Hatchery, check out that forum for my post. Want to try Cackle too, but don't want to do too many hatcheries in one year. Sure when I get my babies in the next day or so, the urge to order more will go away...
Wish you all luck with your Buff ducks, they are really very much like the Buff Orp hens in personality, friendly and real good moms. Will let you know if mine hatch out!