Buckeye Breed Thread

[cgmccary]

Quote:
Yes, I qualify, 4 of my fingers; I admit it could be 3 fingers on some folks and perhaps 5 with someone else. Just consistently use the same fingers so the comparison is the same. You'll find most pullets are about the same with an exceptional one or lesser one here & there.

She lays a large egg. Comparing the width between the pelvic bones when a hen is in lay will give you an idea of egg size. People who have gotten hatching eggs from me always tell me they think my hens' eggs are large. What surprises me is that some of my pullets' first eggs can be large rather than gradually increasing in size as they mature. Reminds me, I was at a show and there were some really nice New Hampshires there. The N.H. hens were huge, big-bodied. One of them had laid an egg in the show pen & the egg was so small, I couldn't believe that big hen had laid that little egg (and she was a HEN, not a pullet!) -- so their anatomy does matter in regards to size of eggs.

Yes, Marengoite is correct, the Hogan method is what I was referring which is what ALBC used when recovering the Buckeye. The book (Call of the Hen) is detailed and shows pictures of what I am trying to describe. I started using these methods in earnest in 2007 when I went to Schrider's N.C. farm for an ALBC work shop; it helped to have him actually point things out to me. There were Dominiques and Buckeyes there for hands-on teaching/ learning. Since then, Schrider has taken the time to answer my questions and also show me things when I see him at the shows.

 

[Arielle]

Don is a wonderful person, and we have emailed back and forth. I did try to get my start in buckeyes this summer, but unfortunately they all died due to coccidia.

I have some speckled sussex, a little bit better than hatchery birds and lay a VERY little egg. For such a big bird very disappointing, I agree. I'm leary of show birds because often egg laying attributes are forgotten. I really need to know a bird can do the job I am looking for.




Editted to add: the coccidia wasn't the fault of the birds, I lost a number of other breeds in the same pen; operator error.

 

[Marengoite]

Arielle,

You might want to contact Jason Page who shows Buckeyes up your way. He won Reserve Champion American at the Ohio National last year. I was chatting with him and he seems like a really nice guy. Very helpful and gave me a lot of information. At the time, I didn't have any Buckeyes, but I enjoyed talking with him and seeing what some nice birds looked like. There was practically a whole row of Buckeyes at the ON, so I got to see a nice variety of fowl. I'd recommend attending a show if you get a chance.

rick

 

[knittychickadee]

I butchered some at 16 weeks from a local breeder and they were about 4.5 pounds. I have 2 different lines so to speak so I can say that growth rate does vary depending on who you got them from. If you wait until 20 to 22 weeks you do get a lot more filled out carcass but may tend to be a little tougher as that is when the boys are really starting to blossom. As far as eggs, I think the average for buckeyes is around 180 to 200. However I have a young hen from Jeff Lay and she gives me 4 to 5 a week. That averages out to well over 200 eggs per year. If you like a good growth rate and good egg production, I can get you contact info for Jeff and he would be happy to sell you some hatching eggs. This is from personal experience, and I know that some people in the buckeye world dont particularly care for him. But I would recommend him to anyone that wants the qualities that you seem to rank high in your search for buckeyes. The coloring and temperment on his buckeyes are great attributes as well.

JoshU, Did you pasture or pen yours from Jeff? I raised some from him this year and I found it near impossible to put meat on them in a pasture situation, something I cull mine vigorously for. Just weighing them, they would seem to be at a correct weight, but feeling them they have little breast and slim lanky legs. It's not a biggie to me as I didn't get them to add to my flock, just wanted to compare egg laying ability of a line I didn't have yet.

 

[knittychickadee]

Arielle, my Buckeyes all lay large-ex large eggs. I've gotten hatching eggs from Chris and I can attest his eggs are huge! There's no reason you would have to settle for med eggs with Buckeyes.

 

[Marengoite]

JoshU, Did you pasture or pen yours from Jeff? I raised some from him this year and I found it near impossible to put meat on them in a pasture situation, something I cull mine vigorously for. Just weighing them, they would seem to be at a correct weight, but feeling them they have little breast and slim lanky legs. It's not a biggie to me as I didn't get them to add to my flock, just wanted to compare egg laying ability of a line I didn't have yet.

I had Lay cockerels too and I would say it depends on what you mean by "put meat on them." If you're looking for a thick, full breast like a Cornish X, then no, you're not going to see that, even on pen raised birds, I wouldn't think. But I can tell you that there is plenty of meat on the back and thighs. Most of mine goes in chicken & noodles or casseroles, so I don't mind all that dark meat. Love the fact that the crock pot delivers a rich tasty chicken stock since Buckeyes are such large-boned birds compared to 8 wk. Cornish X.

 

[knittychickadee]

I had Lay cockerels too and I would say it depends on what you mean by "put meat on them." If you're looking for a thick, full breast like a Cornish X, then no, you're not going to see that, even on pen raised birds, I wouldn't think. But I can tell you that there is plenty of meat on the back and thighs. Most of mine goes in chicken & noodles or casseroles, so I don't mind all that dark meat. Love the fact that the crock pot delivers a rich tasty chicken stock since Buckeyes are such large-boned birds compared to 8 wk. Cornish X.

Heck no I'm not comparing them to a Cornishx. I've butchered almost 300 Buckeyes this year alone. Killed, cleaned and plucked all by my own hand- I know a meaty bird vs a boney one.... I'm comparing the meatiness of one line of Buckeye to another, and the ability of one line to grow a meaty, not boney, carcass, when on pasture and in a decent amount of time, to another. Mine have plenty of white meat along with the dark. I've even butchered little 10 week olds and they are nice and meaty cornish hen size great on the grill. If they don't fill out til 22-24 weeks you can't do much with them but chicken and noodles or soup.

 

[Marengoite]

I'm comparing the meatiness of one line of Buckeye to another, and the ability of one line to grow a meaty, not boney, carcass, when on pasture and in a decent amount of time, to another. Mine have plenty of white meat along with the dark.

Ah, that's a different story then. What line are yours from? I know Jeff is breeding for egg production instead of meat. That's why I didn't have high expectations for thick breasts. On the other hand, if one is breeding for mean, I'm guessing egg production suffers.

 

[JoshU]

JoshU, Did you pasture or pen yours from Jeff? I raised some from him this year and I found it near impossible to put meat on them in a pasture situation, something I cull mine vigorously for. Just weighing them, they would seem to be at a correct weight, but feeling them they have little breast and slim lanky legs. It's not a biggie to me as I didn't get them to add to my flock, just wanted to compare egg laying ability of a line I didn't have yet.

I didnt raise any from chicks from Jeff. I have a trio from him. I raised some local chicks for meat. I let mine free range and feed 20% grower. Had great growth. As for eggs from my trio they are large and longer than my productions

 

[vmdanielsen]

Heck no I'm not comparing them to a Cornishx. I've butchered almost 300 Buckeyes this year alone. Killed, cleaned and plucked all by my own hand- I know a meaty bird vs a boney one.... I'm comparing the meatiness of one line of Buckeye to another, and the ability of one line to grow a meaty, not boney, carcass, when on pasture and in a decent amount of time, to another. Mine have plenty of white meat along with the dark. I've even butchered little 10 week olds and they are nice and meaty cornish hen size great on the grill. If they don't fill out til 22-24 weeks you can't do much with them but chicken and noodles or soup.

Knitty, I am also curious what your "line" is with the meatier carcass!! butchered 300 buckeyes!! That IS impressive. You must sell them for meat(unless you eat a chicken everyday!) What are your customers comments ?