Buckeye Breed Thread

[knittychickadee]

41 was my pick too, legs more centered and tighter wings than some of the others, and a much better back angle.

 

[heritagehabitatfarms]

what i did with mine... i had 12 to chose from... cull any that you can tell have a problem as soon as it shows... black on any other feather than wing and tail, crocked toes, ect, ect, and i culled the smaller ones... IMO at 16 weeks the biggest ones will allways be bigger... i kept 4 tell they where 22 weeks then culled down to 2...

IMO if i was you i would keep the bigger ones and cull the smaller ones... say cull half of them now and then wait a month and cull half again... allso cull for temperment that is one of my biggest things i do not want a mean roo on my place...

i know what you mean about them eating alot lol i feed 150# a day to all my LF birds

i to like #41 the best then # 38

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Are Buckeyes known for feather picking? I have three pens of birds and only the Buckeye pen is feather picking. one roo 4 hens, 80 sq ft floor space. There is a broad shelf the girls can get to if they want away from the rooster, as he does not fly. I am increasing the protein as recommended earlier, specifically using fish sources.

My birds just don't seem to be growing well. They grew so nicely on pasture this summer with nearly the same feed mix, but they just don't seem to be thriving right now. These are Easter and June hatched birds from JamesA and Sand Hill. The pullets are starting to lay finally, but they seem so much smaller than other's pics. They run around and such, but don't seem to be filling out like the other pens.

I'm going to have to cull a pullet I hatched from JamesA, she seems sick or injured. I removed her from the flock. She stands around like a penguin but does not seem to have a swollen abdomen. She eats and drinks, but very little. She seems in pain, so time to end it. It is sad, this summer she was the most beautiful bird, a real favorite.

The roo is also becoming more human aggressive, which he never was on pasture. The other roos are becoming tamer, if anything, from additional treats and handling.

I don't know what I am doing wrong with this pen of Buckeyes. The other pens are only separated by a fence and doing fine.

As Duane Urch is within 2 hours drive, I am thinking of starting over with new birds, but I'd like to correct my husbandry mistakes first.

I will worm them soon, although I have seen no signs and all the birds were run together when on pasture.

Boy do I miss summer pasture.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

I have a REALLY bad case of Buckeye envy, looking at everyone's pics.

 

[knittychickadee]

JoAnn,

On the contrary, Buckeyes are known for NOT feather picking. I'm missing the summer pasture too. I've got a good 10" of snow out there right now. I've been keeping mine busy by throwing oats into the shavings for them to dig up. When I go out a couple hrs later to check for frozen water they have huge pits dug in the shavings with all their scratching. I've also been buying zucchinis for them to peck and bags of greens and they love it all. I fed them a huge bag of baby arugula today that was on sale and they ate up every bit of it within 10 min, wish I had bought more of it. They won't walk in the snow that is so deep so I went out to all the pens this morn with a snow shovel and pushed them some paths to uncover the grass and get them outside for a while since we are FINALLY up in the 30's. I had trains of Buckeyes behind me gobbling up the grass I uncovered.

It does seem odd that your other birds are doing well and your Buckeyes are not. Hmm.


Marci

 

[cgmccary]

Betterhens:

One can only tell so much from pictures; it is better to feel & handle them. Also, pictures can vary depending on how the bird is standing when the snapshot (moment) is captured. From the pictures, I like #45 and then #38. IMHO, #41 weighs too much for an 18 week old & he looks too long in the back.

What's the difference in heart girth?

Chris

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
X2

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
I bought buckeyes because they weren't supposed to feather pick. But mine do.....right at the base of the tail. I have made them aprons and they get hamburger every other day. Hopefully when the feathers grow back and I take the aprons off they will not continue pecking. They have plenty of room to wander around.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

JoAnn,

Where did you get your Buckeyes from? A hatchery or a breeder? That might make a difference and explain why they are feather picking.

 

[vmdanielsen]

Quote:
I bought mine from a breeder. They are gorgeous birds though!!