Buckeye Chicken Breeders

[Minniechickmama]

Scottiemom, You do have the option of getting some hatching eggs shipped to you and try to hatch them. If you can't drive to get good breeder chicks and you don't want to go through a hatchery, and you can't get 25, then I think you are very limited on your options. If you wanted to get started birds, you could try doing that as well, but the shipping on them usually costs as much or more than the birds themselves.

 

[Arielle]

Good luck!!

 

[KSH1]

Hi, I'm new here but have been keeping a smallish flock of layers for 3-4 years. I became intrigued with Buckeyes when I read that they are hunters, as I have a hard time keeping the mouse population under control in the henhouse. I think they know the cat can't get in there! I read more and they sound like a pretty good breed choice for what I'm looking for overall. My few egg customers are mostly biased toward non-white eggs, and the blues and greens from my first batch of hatchery Ameraucanas (if that's what they really were) were of course popular. A local weasel turned out to like Ameraucanas too, and we no longer have any. We reinforced the perimeters and so far so good. Now I have red stars who seem to be tapering off in productivity, so I'm looking for more.

I have raised day-old chicks and bought started pullets, but I've never had a hen raise any. I have no interest in incubating eggs, but I do think it would be kinda cool to have a self-perpetuating flock. Is it reasonable to think I could do that by letting a Buckeye hen or two set on some eggs? I have a lot more learning to do on that front. Has anyone crossed them, and if so, do you find the cross offspring tend to be hunters? I had a thought of possibly getting a few more Ameraucana hens, with the pipe dream of maybe getting some colored-egg-laying mouse killers. I don't know how the eggshell color is inherited either but this is a Buckeye thread so I don't want to get too far off-base.

And how to find them without going broke. I actually found a Buckeye rooster who looks promising. My feed store will be getting Cackle Hatchery chicks, and they do sell Buckeyes but I don't know which, if any, hatcheries would have good ones. I'm not prepared to order 25, so I'm hoping to find a local breeder or have you all tell me that Cackle Hatchery's Buckeyes are fabulous. Or, you know, at least decent. I'm not going to show, but I also don't see much point in going to the effort and expense of buying a rarer breed if I'm just going to actually end up with generic brown chickens.

So, am I totally off base here or does my idea seem doable? How many roosters versus hens should I have, if I am hoping for some occasional babies? And where do I look for solid information on how to set up broody hens and help them do their jobs? I'm in northeastern NY, between Saratoga Springs and Vermont. Thank you!!!!

 

[Michael Apple]

If you like the Buckeyes, get them. But don't depend on them for controlling rodent populations.

 

[Arielle]

Hi, I'm new here but have been keeping a smallish flock of layers for 3-4 years. I became intrigued with Buckeyes when I read that they are hunters, as I have a hard time keeping the mouse population under control in the henhouse. I think they know the cat can't get in there! I read more and they sound like a pretty good breed choice for what I'm looking for overall. My few egg customers are mostly biased toward non-white eggs, and the blues and greens from my first batch of hatchery Ameraucanas (if that's what they really were) were of course popular. A local weasel turned out to like Ameraucanas too, and we no longer have any. We reinforced the perimeters and so far so good. Now I have red stars who seem to be tapering off in productivity, so I'm looking for more.

I have raised day-old chicks and bought started pullets, but I've never had a hen raise any. I have no interest in incubating eggs, but I do think it would be kinda cool to have a self-perpetuating flock. Is it reasonable to think I could do that by letting a Buckeye hen or two set on some eggs? I have a lot more learning to do on that front. Has anyone crossed them, and if so, do you find the cross offspring tend to be hunters? I had a thought of possibly getting a few more Ameraucana hens, with the pipe dream of maybe getting some colored-egg-laying mouse killers. I don't know how the eggshell color is inherited either but this is a Buckeye thread so I don't want to get too far off-base.

And how to find them without going broke. I actually found a Buckeye rooster who looks promising. My feed store will be getting Cackle Hatchery chicks, and they do sell Buckeyes but I don't know which, if any, hatcheries would have good ones. I'm not prepared to order 25, so I'm hoping to find a local breeder or have you all tell me that Cackle Hatchery's Buckeyes are fabulous. Or, you know, at least decent. I'm not going to show, but I also don't see much point in going to the effort and expense of buying a rarer breed if I'm just going to actually end up with generic brown chickens.

So, am I totally off base here or does my idea seem doable? How many roosters versus hens should I have, if I am hoping for some occasional babies? And where do I look for solid information on how to set up broody hens and help them do their jobs? I'm in northeastern NY, between Saratoga Springs and Vermont. Thank you!!!!

I have been teachin g all my birds including the nonbuckeys to eat mice-- catch those in the house and feed them to the birds. Killing mice is a learned behavor. WHen they see one hen doing the job, others copy.

Since you don't seem like you are interested in investing in good quality buckeyes at this time, why not give the hatchery birds a try. I cannot speak for any hatchery as for their quality.

ANy brown egger crossed with AMs or EE will get you a lovely pale olive green egg. THe depth of color will vary by darkness of the brown shell. THe darkest olive is created using the black copper marans on a blue egger.

THe htchery birds will be a nice introduction tot he buckeyes and you can decide from there if you like them. Generally, good breeders wont sell their good stock as backyard egg layers.

As far as broody-- that tendency depends on the line. Some are broody , some not. BO are good broodies-- you might order a few pullets to be your broodies. Again some will and some wont.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[cometchicky]

I just received 15 hen and 3 cockerel buckeye chicks from Meyer. I haven't raised buckeyes before but they are cute!

 

[JoshU]

Congrats. I hope you enjoy them.

 

[JoshU]

Lots of info on the buckeye breed. If anyone would like to know more, feel free to ask or visit any of the links on the first post. Or you can always pm me for other links.

 

[sdetwiler333]

I put it in another post,but will repeat here . I just got 4 Buckeye hens , about 12 weeks old and I am looking for a young rooster so that hopefully I can get chicks. I really want to do this as the Buckeye is a threatened breed, and also a beautiful bird. So, if you know where I can get a young Roo, hit me up here or E-mail [email protected]. Thanks.

 

[JoshU]

Check out some of those links on the first post of this thread for the American Buckeye Club. There is a breeders list and lots of info. As for the threatened remark, I would say they are rare to find standard bred buckeyes but far from a threat for extinction. Good luck finding a cockerel or cock and let us know if you have any more questions or comments about the beautiful buckeye breed.