The Buckeye Thread

[BlackBriars]

Thank you CB.

Try these Minniechickmama.

 

[Minniechickmama]

These are all the same bird in the 4 photos, right?

So, you have 2 or 3 to choose from?

 

[BlackBriars]

Yes, this is the bird I think much superior to the others at this point. This is cockerel #1.

Cockerel #2 was very slow to feather, and has a slighter build with less width and breast development.

Cockerel #3 is smaller yet with even less bulk, he is the one with the comb issue.

 

[Minniechickmama]

From the latest pictures, I would agree that he has the best body type. However, he has a not so desirable comb and wattles either, in fact, IMO a less desirable comb. Again, that is not a huge factor to sway a choice not he two.
As the one in the background of this last set of photos the third male? You can see his comb too is more of a wedge, which is not such a great thing, but I also see his flat breast. In some stages you may see that because they are in a gangly stage of development, but at that age to have the flatness to the breast is not going to result in a desired trait to keep.

 

[BlackBriars]

Thank you.
Yes, #3 in the background.
I'm thinking at this point, #1 or bust as far as breeding, and even then, he may be a poor choice. I really need to find a good cockerel so I have some options.

How old should my pullets be before hatching eggs from them?

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I've been reading up on breeding and a lot of breeders agree that you shouldn't set eggs from a pullet at all. They say wait until they start to lay again after the first adult moult. Not sure why.......

 

[Minniechickmama]

Part is because of egg size. A larger egg will allow for a larger chick to hatch. If a large chick develops in a small egg, it can constrain them to a point where they die before they can hatch even. I won't set small eggs from a large breed, but I don't wait until they are passed their first molt. The reasoning there for some is because you can't tell a birds true color until after they molt once. You will likely see your Buckeyes get lighter with age even, some lines a lot more than others. I have had birds that were clean colored molt and then have patterning or black show through after. White feathers can sometimes pop out after the first molt too.

 

[stryker]

Have you hatched any double yolk eggs?

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Me personally no, I would try to avoid that. I wouldn't set any eggs larger than 70 grams anyway, larger eggs have reduced hatchability and need to be incubated at a lower temperature I'm told.
Some people have hatched twins, it's possible.But I don't think you'd want to do that on purpose.

 

[stryker]

Interesting. My luck is that they would be roosters. LOL 2 for the price of 1