Buckeye Breed Thread

[cgmccary]

ChickBond 007: I am disappointed to hear that the temperment may be the affected part of the downfall of Buckeye hatchery stock.

I didn't mean to imply that hatchery Buckeyes were less active, less free ranging but I was merely conveying that little something extra I notice in the best birds (& what makes a "show winner"-- meant no slight to the Buckeye quality for being a very active fowl). Buckeyes are all very active fowl & you will enjoy yours immensely (and not be disappointed). I haven't seen a Buckeye alive that is not an all out free- ranging buckaroo! They all wander far & wide.

A friend who has them in Texas noticed that they aren't as fast to get away from predators as his Kraienkoppes. Mine seem to scatter and hide when a hawk or any large bird flies over. And I had a hen survive after an opossum had her, literally, by the head. I still have that hen.​

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

Thanks for offer, bigredfeather, but I'll search a bit more. I do, however, appreciate what you're doing with the breed, because what we're all looking for is a
practical heritage meat bird, right? Keep up the good work!

Where did you get your breeding stock?

 

[cgmccary]

I might add that IMHO, good Buckeyes are raised & not bred. Buckeyes are an easy breed to get right. They are basically one color with yellow legs & shanks of medium length & a medium size pea-comb, moderately size wattles. For optimum growth & development, make sure to feed the Buckeye chicks a high protein starter for their first 8-10 weeks-- one that contains some animal protein & then lower the protein to between a feed with 16-20%. This is the most important thing to know when raising Buckeyes.

 

[kathyinmo]

I have never seen a high protein starter. Do you mean .... mix in some game bird conditioner, or such?

 

[JamesA]

I think turkey starter is higher in protien.You might want to try that.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Well, James, I really don't need to worry about until after I hatch your eggs!

I just want to be prepared! I just keep reading this thread, and absorbing all the information!

 

[cgmccary]

Yes. I feed a Game Bird Starter (30%) exclusively the first 8 weeks -- Purina Game Bird Chow, specifically. They will never grow like they should (and will never catch up), if you don't feed them right to begin with. I suspect the differences we are seeing in the different Buckeyes' sizes relates to the whole feed equation.

 

[OSUman]

shoot i wish i knew that
My Purina store doesnt carry any gamebird starter, would their "Flock Raiser" feed do?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Good to know! My feed store does carry Purina. That is what I always buy. Thanks for sharing that information!

 

[cgmccary]

OSUman: My Purina store doesnt carry any gamebird starter, would their "Flock Raiser" feed do?

Purina's Sunfresh group only contains plant protein, and I think their "Flock Raiser" is only about 20%. Look for another Game Bird or Turkey Starter if they don't have the Game Bird Chow Startena. Try to find one at least 28%. Most Game Bird feeds contain both plant and animal protein.

I feed mine the Game Bird Chow Conditioner (19%) when the reach about 10 weeks old. When I am collecting eggs, I feed the Game Bird Chow Layena (20%). The bags all look the same in the Game Bird Chows so you have to look at the tag.

I make sure that growing birds do not have access to the Layena (too much calcium for them) & that only laying pullets & hens get it. Of course, the grown males will have to eat it as well.​