Buckeye Breed Thread

[Germaine_11.20]

Quote:
my BA hen did The same thing before she died.

Really? Do you know what caused it? I am thinking a heart issue if their combs turned purple, but why would there be heart issues in healthy young birds? Heat? Stress? There are so many possibilities...

 

[punky rooster]

sorry but I only meant the combs. this is what happened. they were not very active and their crops got really big then their comb turned purple I think they were eating eggs and then on one her crop exploded and we found her dead like that with egg shells all under her. I've only had that problem with the BA. hope I helped sorry if i didn't coolmitch

 

[punky rooster]

is this guy show Quality

 

[Pathfinders]

Quote:
Can't tell from that picture. Can you get one of him standing up straight? And a close up of his head/comb?

 

[punky rooster]

Quote:
Can't tell from that picture. Can you get one of him standing up straight? And a close up of his head/comb?

do you mean like this

this is not him though thanks for help coolmitch

p.s these are from my cell phone.

 

[poltroon]

I was very worried about our Buckeyes this summer in the heat - they were in that awkward "big body mass but not much wattle yet" stage as pullets/cockerels where they didn't have a lot of ways to lose heat. They seemed to be the most uncomfortable of our birds. Now that they are a bit older, they seem better able to handle it. I also put out a pan of water large enough for them to dip their feet with the hopes that would help.

Another thing I have noticed compared to our other chickens is that they really enjoy having fresh weeds to eat (they'll leave the bagged food for some pulled-up mustard) and while they quite like being around me, they really like their freedom of movement. They were pretty unhappy to be in a small cage while at the fair. They don't need a huge range but they quite appreciate the protected run that gives them 20' to well, run, from one end to the other. (This was temporary extra-protective housing while they were small and the hawks were looking for a new restaurant.)

Idaho can have very hot, dry summer weather, as can we in California. Pea combs aren't the best for losing heat. That said, so far, they've made it here. Yesterday was the hottest day we've had all year and they looked quite perky.

 

[Pathfinders]

When it gets really hot here in KY (which it certainly can do!) I find my birds enjoy ice in their water, it seems to work well to cool them down. I cut the tops off of old milk cartons, sterilize them well, fill them with water, and put them in the chest freezer. Then I can just put a block into the big water pan and it cools it down nicely for the birds.

If you use cubes, the birds will fight over them as if they are a treat!

 

[Kwartel]

Can any of you tell me if the Buckeye breed standard from the APA has changed over time, or if it has stayed the same since 1906? The reason I ask is that I have Buckeyes and a copy of the 1906 APA Standard of Perfection, and the price tag that they have on the newer editions is pretty unrealistic for a small flock owner.

 

[OSUman]

Quote:
I am guessing it has because almost all breed descriptions change over time. I hear that the new SOP is coming out soon so you might be able to get some of the surplus 2010 SOP on sale from places. I do have one question.... How did you get the 1906 copy of the SOP is it like a family heirloom or something because that is amazing that you have it.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

My buckeye roosters are acting like Marines, they run towards any trouble they can find.

They attack the garden hose as I pull it around.

Both sets, the 10 week olds from Sand Hill always come over to check me out as I enter the pen, before any of the other cockerels in that pen do. "It's ok, it's just the big thing that slides our huts around, all clear"

The Easter hatch pen never leave my ankles. They do not trust me, but do not attack. A bit unnerving really.

The old SSussex Roo in with them just gives them a whack once in a while to keep them in line, but otherwise lets them do the patrolling.

Last night the one who is the most watchful pecked the eldest boy. He complained, but I explained again how the birds that do not see well in the half-light are likely to think he is a racoon if he sticks his hand in there at night. So it is a good thing.

They are getting huge. We feed a bit heavy on the protein with growing birds as they are on pasture and they seem to eat a lot of vegetation. Trying to make sure the feed they do eat is nutrient dense.

Are there any good Marine-related nicknames for these cockerels, or would that be rude and offensive? These chickens are not chicken, if you know what I mean.