Buckeye Breed Thread

[Ivagrove]

It was! And there's leftovers, too. We went up to my mother-in-law's for New Year's, she's had the flu real bad. I brought her the best thing I could think of- an old Buckeye hen, frozen of course. Now the girls can make some chicken soup for her. Its good to talk about breeding and raising buckeyes, but let's not forget the important part of dual purpose!

Oh boy, mud! As much as I'd like all this snow to melt, it will only bring about mud. So I'll get the best of both worlds. Remember how last summer everybody wanted it to cool down and rain? Well, it did!

I hope everyone has good new year, and all the best comes your way.

 

[AinaWGSD]

I have never had one to start laying as early as 20 weeks so yes, it is asking too much. My pullets start laying somewhere from 24-28 weeks with consideration given to WHEN they are hatched.

In your experience, what time of year is best to hatch for layers? Is there a different time of year that is best to hatch Buckeyes for meat birds? How about birds for showing?

 

[cgmccary]

In your experience, what time of year is best to hatch for layers? Is there a different time of year that is best to hatch Buckeyes for meat birds? How about birds for showing?

I always prefer to hatch my Buckeyes in March & April (which is nature's cycle for chicks as well) -- I like the gradually warming weather during that time so the chicks can go outside (if hatched and raised in a brooder). I mostly am now using hens to brood-- hatch and raise my Buckeye chicks so I need it to be warming outside because they are raised out in the elements. It is just my preference. I think there is some evidence that suggests winter hatched chicks may not grow as well because they use so much energy to stay warm.

For showing, I think it depends on when the shows are that you plan to go to. Buckeyes vary individually as to when they are looking their best for show. I have had a few look decent enough & weigh 8 lbs (for cockerels) or close enough (at the earliest) 7 months old -- but they are the exception. Normally, mine are best for show at 8-12 months old. However, I am not a big show person; just do it it as a side benefit to put the breed out there and fellowship with some of you -- what I am saying-- I do not try and time for hatches for any particular show. Instead, I look around and see what, if anything, looks decent enough to show when the time comes. If nobody does, then I don't show anything. I admire the dedicated show people who can keep a bird from messing up their feathers -- but that's not me.

I do have a question for the dedicated show people: When you go to shows that are say a month apart (or so), do you re-bathe the bird or not? I have always taken different birds the couple of times I had shows close together but this go-around, was wanting to re-show a particular bird.

 

[karenbrat1]

cgmccary, what are you using for broodies? Just curious. I.e. the Buckeyes themselves, or do you have a special breed you keep around for brooding.

 

[cgmccary]

I use my Buckeye hens, and I also use game hens. With the Buckeye hens, I have to pen up the hen and chicks. The game hens hatch theirs whereever they made their nest (barn, blackberry patch, tractor pit) & they raise them outside (i.e. I don't have to pen them). This year, I have a couple of Buckeye X Game pullets. I want to try them as broodies hoping they will be larger, able to cover more eggs and chicks but will have the game instinct.

I prefer the game hen since the chicks can free range. The games seem to have the smarts and are fiercely protective -- I highly recommend them as broodies.

 

[mschlumb]

I use my Buckeye hens, and I also use game hens. With the Buckeye hens, I have to pen up the hen and chicks. The game hens hatch theirs whereever they made their nest (barn, blackberry patch, tractor pit) & they raise them outside (i.e. I don't have to pen them). This year, I have a couple of Buckeye X Game pullets. I want to try them as broodies hoping they will be larger, able to cover more eggs and chicks but will have the game instinct.

I prefer the game hen since the chicks can free range. The games seem to have the smarts and are fiercely protective -- I highly recommend them as broodies.

What time of year do your Buckeye hens go broody? Can you induce broodiness in your Buckeyes by not taking their eggs?

 

[cgmccary]

What time of year do your Buckeye hens go broody? Can you induce broodiness in your Buckeyes by not taking their eggs?

All months of the year but more so in the Spring, Summer and Fall (less this time of year); however, I have a broody Buckeye pullet right now who I need to bust up.

I do have some Buckeye hens who have never went broody. I have other Buckeye hens who go broody several times a year and then everything in-between. I am never lacking eggs nor broodies.

 

[cgmccary]

Quote: No. The broody one right now is sitting on air.

 

[mschlumb]

Thanks for answering my questions!

 

[Tailfeathers]

How well do the BUckeye hold up to the cold rainy weather? We get a variety of weather here in southern New England. THe two extremes are cold and rainy and a week of 100 degree heat.

Are buckeye regarded as tight feathering types? ANd does a tight feathering help to shed water? Many of my current breeds of chickens do not enjoy the cold rainy weather, and I TOTALY agree with them; Having and experimental flock is providing some answers and generating a LOT of questions.

Hi Arielle. Sorry for the delayed response. Holiday period was rush rush and then my computer has been down the last several days. Took a while to get my computer tech over here but thankfully he found it was only my monitor that died and not my computer. He did say I've got some transistors or something on my motherboard that are bulding and it could go anytime though. Needless to say I am WAY behind in my various threads and have oodles of pages to get through.

So I'll make this quick. As you can see, I'm in WA. A state well known for cold rainy weather. My Buckeyes do very well. I did have a couple of cases of CRD this year but I imagine by culling those birds, I'll see the same thing that I've experienced with my Barnevelders. I don't medicate and by breeding only the healthiest and strongest birds, I've virtually eliminated CRD from my flock. Still get the occasional bird that gets a puffy eye and the white core in it if I don't catch it but not very many at all now. I've also gone to bleach in their water during the winter months instead of ACV.

Hope that helps.

God Bless,