BUCKEYES- a Lively, Gentle, Dual Purpose DIscussion Thread

[RoboDuck]

Interesting thread. I bought some buckeye chicks earlier this year. They're hatchery chicks but seem to be doing ok. The breed has several interesting personality characteristics that intrigued me. The "dinosaur" roar they apparently do and the fact they are supposedly as good at mousing as a cat. So I figured I would get some to release as free rangers for keeping the rodent population down. I haven't tried this yet as they're still too small to release. They seem to grow much more slowly than the other breeds. But even being smaller, they have some "no fear" personalities. I like them so far.

Arielle.... so when will you be offering hatching eggs?

 

[Arielle]

lol-- when they are laying!! lol

I suspect that the mousing is a learned behavior--I would introduce them to hamburger at a young age, and then trap mice to introduce if you want a mouser.once they learn "keep away" the meat and ice will become coveted items.

I bought my chicks from Chris McCathy-- definitely feed at a higher rate the first 8 weeks -- the 27% or higher if you can get it. If they have been bred for the fast growth, then they will use that feed and not waste the protein.

THere is value in a slower growing bird too if you are planning to have them eat off the land. Faster growth can only be mantained I suspect if the feed is handed to the birds via a bag fromthe feed store or otherwise provided.

 

[RoboDuck]

How's them girls doing?

I got a boy that needs some new girlfriends. The wifey is going to post a picture of him. Hopefully he's worthy...

 

[GAMarans]

 

[Arielle]

Girls started laying in December. Was getting 5-7 eggs aday. Only a handful of girls in that whole batch!! The eggs are a beautiful shape, classic egg shape!! THe colors are pale brown of course, some darker, some lighter of course.

And one girl has gone broody already!!!!

 

[RoboDuck]

Sweet. I can't wait to get them.

 

[Arielle]

I'll be sure you get some eggs when I can be confident they, the eggs are pure. Everyone has been free ranging all winter and being the wider rangers that they are, the buckeyes can cross into and thru the territory of other roosters.

 

[Arielle]

Winter has been slow to arrive this year. THe ground has remained covered in leaf litter and such under the trees. THe birds looked for goodies everyday. Scratching around tree trunks seems popular. of course I supported their efforts by tossing out whole corn and whole oats. lol I kept their feeder full in their coop, and replenished their water. But other than a few sips, that was largely ignored as the group trooped off to the stream. Cold runoff. All the birds run right into the water to drink. Stand, survey the area, and continue drinking.

Eventually thirst slacked, they wander off and scatter far and wide for the day.

With the recent heavy snows, I have kept the birds in their large coop. Mostly to simplify my life as digging out from 2 feet of snow is a long drawn out process. AL long drive way to clear. ANd a path to each coop. Even snowblowing the pad in front of the horse stalls. While shoveling or following the snowblower it gives one time to think. How much we have come to rely on mechanization: snowblower faster than a shovel; a snow plow on a truck faster than the snowblower. Is it better??? It certainly changes the amount of time necessary to clear snow. ANd that leads thinking to how fast our chicken is produced from hatching to plate . .. . . is it better?? It certainly is faster and as it is high tech manufacturing of a sort, it is efficient and makes the final product affordable. Much to think about for sure.

When the snow clearing was done, I spent a few minutes with the buckeyes. I opened their door. PUlled out the big rubber bucket to knock out the now block of ice. TOok a few minutes to get the ice to release. THe birds were patient and watched from the door. Not eager to hop out today. ANd I was glad of it. THe snow was deep and a soft fluffy snow. What if a bird flew up and landed in it and sunk deep into the fluff? Would he get out, would I find him to help him escape the white trap? THe latter scared me, I might loose a precious buckeye. My starting stock. Bucket filled and birds gathering around it, I took up the pitchfork. Starting farthest from the birds I turned over their bedding. Previously I had tossed in corn and oats, and I hoped a few seeds still remained. As I continued to turnover the material, a few started to scratch in the loose material. Good!!! It will keep them busy for a while. I know being "cooped up" is boring. I could close the door knowing I had done my best.

 

[Fosmorefarm]

Arielle, do you sell hatching eggs, or can you direct me to someone with good bloodlines that does sell eggs.
thanks

 

[Arielle]

I bought my chis from Chris Mccathy. Try a general google search to find his farm. He usually sells 25 chicks at a time; or a trio. OTher wise I can get you some eggs. I have pulled all the hens to divide the groups. Banned the roosters and they will get the hens back shortly. So let me know if you want eggs . . .