Buckeye Breed Thread

[pettec63]

Hey L! It's Jule's! This is definitely what is missing in mine!

And ya know what's sad? The one cockerel I have that is really the most typie is the one with the bit of white!!!

 

[Canieldonrad]

Hey L! It's Jule's! This is definitely what is missing in mine!

And ya know what's sad? The one cockerel I have that is really the most typie is the one with the bit of white!!!

Color is a good thing to have, but keep type in mind. Better type is always going to trump color. Especially as the standard only states "should."(I'm just going to regurgitate Chris' words but that is truly how I feel as well).

You can take type and work with the color easily. But its a lot more difficult to perfect color and end up with it on a wrong body.


I would not cull the Cockerel, in fact I would probably keep him. Use him to breed to hens with slate on the back. Use the next generation Cockerels that have type and have slate(if even just a sliver) in the back to breed to your hens. Line breeding is a great way to preserve your best traits.

 

[Pathfinders]

I'm going to send Jules some chicks this week, so she'll definitely have some good slate bar to work with.

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Thank you for your input, I have heard that from several breeders now. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not disputing any of that, it's just that I have a very narrow gene pool to work with right now, so my biggest fear was that my color would go completely out of wack. I will post pictures of what I'm talking about. Laura knows the genetics behind these kids, so, when you see the pictures you will understand. I am definitely a newbie in terms of being able to "feel" and "see" exactly what is good and bad in structure and color. I have had chickens as a kid and now again for 4 years. It's only been recently like in the last 2 that I have acquired purebred chickens and started learning what the SOP states and looking at my chickens thru new eyes. I originally only wanted to show Muscovy's and made huge changes in that flock, but, I had to sell the last of them, so my Buckeyes are the stars. I also raise Bantam RIR and Bantam Ameraucana's. But at this point, I am concentrating mainly on my Buckeyes as far learning correct structure and color and building a breeding flock. They are the most critical breed I raise and I want to learn as much as I can, to try to preserve what Nettie had started. Then, as I get better with that breed I will move on to the next two. Sorry this is so long, maybe I should have Pm you! LOL

 

[pettec63]

I'm going to send Jules some chicks this week, so she'll definitely have some good slate bar to work with.

And I am sooo very GRATEFUL!!!

Thank you soo much! I will be here asking your advice about crossing these guys in the future! Oh one question and I'm really posing this to the whole thread, do you guys know of certain books pertaining to poultry breeding that would be good to invest in? Just wondering?

 

[Pathfinders]

And I am sooo very GRATEFUL!!!

Thank you soo much! I will be here asking your advice about crossing these guys in the future! Oh one question and I'm really posing this to the whole thread, do you guys know of certain books pertaining to poultry breeding that would be good to invest in? Just wondering?

My pleasure kiddo.

And IRT books, honestly? Start right here in this thread. I hate to say it, as there are so many wonderful books out there. But start here, at least when it comes to chickens. The BYC has SO MUCH good info, you could read for a week and not get through it all.

 

[JoshU]

The biggest piece of advice Nettie Metcalf gave to breeders of her day was to cull any buckeye that had pure white feathers. There is a difference between a white bar and an all white feather. She made a point that an all white feathered buckeye should NEVER be bred. Period. Everyone knows my stance on building the barn and painting it at the same time. But I have good type and color to start with. So now I just have to make it better.

 

[JoshU]

Congrats to all of the participants in the

Southern Ohio Poultry Association Spring Show 2013

Jr Buckeye Large Fowl
Best of Breed – Sydney Shumaker (Cock)
Reserve – Evan Edingfield (Hen)

Jr Buckeye Bantam
Best of Breed & Reserve – Brandi Powell (Cockerel & Pullet)

Open Buckeye Large Fowl
Best of Breed & Reserve – Shumaker Farm (Cock & Hen)

Open Buckeye Bantam
Best of Breed & Reserve – Sharon Fields (Cockerel & Pullet)

Nettie’s Vision Trophy – Sydney Shumaker (Cock)

 

[angiep666]

Ok guys- not only am I new here to BYC but I am new to chickens in general. I have tried to do a lot of research befor ever ordering my chicks. I have 4 Buckeye girls, 4 Buff Orpington girls and 3 Domonique girls. I also have the "fry pan special" of all Roos that can be any of up to ten breeds including the three mentioned for the girls. My goal is to keep one roo of each of three breeds (assuming my fry pan special allows that) and butcher the rest of the Roos. I would like to separate the roo and his three girls of a given breed at various times of the year in order to fertilize a hatch of eggs true to that breed. (All my chosen breeds are endangered dual purpose that can go broody.).
My question is this: are these chicks brothers and sisters since they came from the same hatchery at the same? If so, can I breed them, desiring a self-renewing flock true to breed? I have no idea of the breed lines or strains. Does this matter if I am never going to show them? I just want to have my own supply of good chickens indefinitely and thought to try and preserve a breed at the same time.
ANY thoughts would be appreciated. Tank you!

 

[JoshU]

Ok guys- not only am I new here to BYC but I am new to chickens in general. I have tried to do a lot of research befor ever ordering my chicks. I have 4 Buckeye girls, 4 Buff Orpington girls and 3 Domonique girls. I also have the "fry pan special" of all Roos that can be any of up to ten breeds including the three mentioned for the girls. My goal is to keep one roo of each of three breeds (assuming my fry pan special allows that) and butcher the rest of the Roos. I would like to separate the roo and his three girls of a given breed at various times of the year in order to fertilize a hatch of eggs true to that breed. (All my chosen breeds are endangered dual purpose that can go broody.).
My question is this: are these chicks brothers and sisters since they came from the same hatchery at the same? If so, can I breed them, desiring a self-renewing flock true to breed? I have no idea of the breed lines or strains. Does this matter if I am never going to show them? I just want to have my own supply of good chickens indefinitely and thought to try and preserve a breed at the same time.
ANY thoughts would be appreciated. Tank you!

Hi. Welcome to the world of poultry. The short answer to your question is there is a high probability that your chicks are related. You are planning on raising three sets of breeds at a time at the same time as you are just starting this venture. I would suggest you just raise what you have and figure out the different breeds as you go. You may find that you don't care so much for one breed or another. You may find that you hate keeping chickens alltogether. But you will learn what you like and not. After you go through the first year or so and decide you want to keep a breed, I would suggest you add other lines to your flocks. This way you get a good foundation and you may not get breeding quality from the originals and you can add as needed. If you are happy with what is produced on your farm, then that is all that matters. If you decide you want to show, you more than likely will have to work at getting better than hatchery qualities. It really depends on your needs and expectations in your birds. There are a good amount of breeders of buckeyes all across the country if you need more stock. Good luck.