Buckeye Chicken, Good Breed or Bad?

[GlicksChicks]

I wouldn’t recommend breeding from them, but there’s no harm in keeping them. If you want.

I really do like my buckeyes, but they are in my chickwn flock and at the moment I have no place to seperate them. I plan on culling the rooster and maybe keeping the buckeye hens. Maybe my Buff Orpington roosters who will be taking his place can help breed out the bad genetics.

 

[Ratbird]

Hello, I know that Google always talks about how good Buckeye chickens are. They say they are weather hardy and pretty sickness resistant, but my experience with buckeyes has not been the same.
The only chicken I have ever lost from sickness is a buckeye, he had trouble breathing, but acted normal otherwise. I used all the things to help him and he still died. I also had a buckeye hen get sour crop alot. And another buckeye is limping but has no bumblefoot or mites.
All my buckeyes were bought from TSC and I had gotten 6 of them at the time but 2 of them died as chicks for unknown reasons, both the same way. Could it be the genetics of the buckeyes I have or are they really not as good as they are claimed to be?
Anyone who has ever owned buckeye chickens or known anyone who has, can you help me? I don't know if I should cull them to get rid of it if it is genetics, or just let it be?

I’d say it’s the line you got them from. I’ve had buckeyes for over 20 years and they are robust and awesome. Definitely my all time favorite breed.

 

[GlicksChicks]

I’d say it’s the line you got them from. I’ve had buckeyes for over 20 years and they are robust and awesome. Definitely my all time favorite breed.

That is what I was thinking. The 2 I have left are good birds. My rooster is not limping anymore, I believe he just sprained it. And the hen I have is laying like normal and she is a pretty calm bird.

Unfortunately, not all the hatcheries that TSC gets their chicks from have good genetics.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Coming in late here but so sorry you have had this experience! I only have one Buckeye, but she's such a great hen we plan to get more in the future. We got her from Meyer. Any idea which hatchery yours came from? I know TSC is usually Hoover, but I know they use others sometimes too.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Coming in late here but so sorry you have had this experience! I only have one Buckeye, but she's such a great hen we plan to get more in the future. We got her from Meyer. Any idea which hatchery yours came from? I know TSC is usually Hoover, but I know they use others sometimes too.

I do not know where they got them from, but the 2 I have left are angels. The rooster and the hen are sweet as can be! My buckeye rooster has never shown any sign of aggression to people and he doesn't mind being held! Hops and Buck are their names (Buck is the hen )

 

[TillyPeeps]

Coming in late here but so sorry you have had this experience! I only have one Buckeye, but she's such a great hen we plan to get more in the future. We got her from Meyer. Any idea which hatchery yours came from? I know TSC is usually Hoover, but I know they use others sometimes too.

My Meyer buckeye girl is a real sweetheart too. She loves to cuddle and play. She's still young (almost 6w), so I have to wait to see how she does with her health.

 

[GlicksChicks]

My Meyer buckeye girl is a real sweetheart too. She loves to cuddle and play. She's still young (almost 6w), so I have to wait to see how she does with her health.

Behavior has been no issue with Buckeyes, they are angels. I hope the health of yours holds up!

 

[Kimber0208]

I just lost my two Buckeyes within the span of a month, both were acting completely normal. Both from TSC. I am in Texas though, and it's been incredibly hot.

 

[GlicksChicks]

I just lost my two Buckeyes within the span of a month, both were acting completely normal. Both from TSC. I am in Texas though, and it's been incredibly hot.

I am in Texas as well. I have had 1 month chicks raised outside in the 100+ degree weather and they grew like crazy.
I had 2 of my Buckeye chicks go from normal to the brink of death in the span of an hour about a week after buying them from TSC.
I don't think the heat is to blame. I think TSC needs to rethink their Buckeye supply.