I'm new and not sure if this is where I I type the question. I am considering getting some Buckeyes because I would like a heritage breed and there is a farm that has Buckeyes nearby which would mean I didn't have to deal with shipping. I live in Northeast Ohio so they climate seems appropriate. I am interested in a meat and laying bird. I have read they are friendly which also interests me. I live in the city and have heard they are a little chattier but would be butchering any roosters as soon as they start to become loud. I used to help my uncle on his chicken farm but he had game birds so I don't know much about other breeds. The breed description mentions these birds do well as a free range bird. Is that because they are a heritage breed or because they really need a lot of room. My coop and run area is not huge. Should I go with a different breed and ship birds and eggs or is it possible to make this breeds work? Opinions please. Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place
Hi, seeda, and welcome to the wonderful world of Buckeyes.
First off, I would agree with what Jenn said. They will do fine penned up. Last year I let the youngsters range most of the day, but once they got some size, around 12 weeks, I penned all my cockerels just to keep track of them and so they wouldn't tear up the garden so bad. The pullets seemed to appreciate it. They handled pen life quite well and seemed pretty content as long as I'd toss lots of grass in for them to scratch through when I mowed or weeds from the garden.
The main thing about Buckeyes is that because they are dual purpose birds, they are not going to be as heavy-breasted as the Cornish cross and they aren't going to be laying machines like the hybrids (Golden buff, Golden comet, Amberlink, Red Sexlink, etc.) or even some of the production Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks. However, for home use, a small pen should give you more than enough eggs to keep a family going. My hens stopped laying when the weather turned really cold and we still haven't run out of eggs after three weeks. I expect they'll ramp up production again in a couple weeks when the weather warms up a bit.
But the whole point of that is to make sure you have solid expectations going in. Buckeyes are very calm, easygoing birds so they will do well in the pen but will also be confident on range. That may be due to the gamefowl in their background. But if you're raising them for meat, expect to get longer, narrower breasts and a lot of dark thigh and leg meat. The other thing that makes Buckeyes superior birds is that they will give you some of the richest, yellowest chicken stock you could ask for, especially if they are ranging. My Buckeyes made excellent companions to noodles, dumplings, and shredded sandwiches. Very flavorful and lots of texture.
I think you will be very pleased with them especially if you're familiar with games. The cockerels have a "gamey" look to them. They aren't out looking for a fight, but when challenged, they don't back down. And they don't often lose. I have some bantam Silver Spangled Hamburgs and they are as game as any bantams. They'll underestimate my Buckeye roo because he's so calm and easy going and try to boss him around. Mistake. He'll tolerate some foolishness, but once the hackles go up, the gloves come off and the Hamburgs find out why it's a good idea not to mess with Buckeyes. They aren't the killers that gamefowl are, but they are muscular boys and aren't easy to push around. Give them a shot, just don't expect the high feed conversion rate of the specialists in either meat or egg production (Buckeyes are pigs with feathers and will eat you into the poorhouse if you feed them only from the mill), and you'll be fine.
