Buckeyes

[Melabella]

I notice that Meyer is offering Buckeyes. I also found a nice website with a man who is apparently very dedicated to them. www.buckeyechickens.com

 

[AlaskaRob]

I have six buckeyes here in Southeast Alaska (in addition to 9 other types), great cold weather birds very enthusiastic about everything, and so many unique sounds from them. Anyway, I got mine in the form of hatching eggs from Robin at Spiritwood Farms in Washington state. You can email her at [email protected] She was a pleasure to deal with and the birds I have from her eggs are top notch, they fit the breed standard quite well.

It's worth noting what Robin told me in an email right before sending me my eggs. "Make sure you don't have a dimly lit coop, the girls will go broody quicker than heck and you'll have hundreds by spring"

Respectfully,

Rob in Alaska

 

[FeyRaine]

Hi everyone.

I've been wanting Buckeyes for years & I'm intending to upgrade my flock in 2013 so I believe this will finally be the year

Right now my plan is to set them up in a coop w/ enclosed yard and free range out of that on alt. days to keep them from mixing w/ my other birds.
Over time (ie after a few other projects) I am to install a new coop w/ enclosed yard (#6) far enough away from my other pens that they can free range daily w/o crossing territory w/ any of my other flocks. (30 acres, w/ multiple slopes,. fingers etc so several naturally distinct area some of which my current birds never venture into).

I'm currently perfecting sprouting oats & growing wheat fodder and I intend this to be a major portion of their feed esp. on none-free range days & deep winter.

Also working on a protein feeder (=maggots) so we can turn butcher waste into useful food for the flock.

Still debating source for the birds, unfortunately I think where I really wish to purchase is way out of my budget, so likely I will just go w/ Meyer and work w/ those birds aiming to have a good little Preservation flock (see my post yesterday on Lg Heritage Thread for more on that term if you like).

FeyRaine

 

[AlaskaRob]

Seems like I hear lots of folks saying on here that if you're looking for an excellent example of breed standard then DON'T use the big hatcheries. I have zero personal experience to back this up. I will say I've had excellent experience with small breeders and with buying eggs from folks who show the birds at county fairs etc. I'm sure there are plenty of options in Ohio (being home to the breed as well as my home state) close enough that they could ship you some hatching eggs?

My 2c

Rob In Alaska

 

[Melabella]

Hi everyone.

I've been wanting Buckeyes for years & I'm intending to upgrade my flock in 2013 so I believe this will finally be the year

Right now my plan is to set them up in a coop w/ enclosed yard and free range out of that on alt. days to keep them from mixing w/ my other birds.
Over time (ie after a few other projects) I am to install a new coop w/ enclosed yard (#6) far enough away from my other pens that they can free range daily w/o crossing territory w/ any of my other flocks. (30 acres, w/ multiple slopes,. fingers etc so several naturally distinct area some of which my current birds never venture into).

I'm currently perfecting sprouting oats & growing wheat fodder and I intend this to be a major portion of their feed esp. on none-free range days & deep winter.

Also working on a protein feeder (=maggots) so we can turn butcher waste into useful food for the flock.

Still debating source for the birds, unfortunately I think where I really wish to purchase is way out of my budget, so likely I will just go w/ Meyer and work w/ those birds aiming to have a good little Preservation flock (see my post yesterday on Lg Heritage Thread for more on that term if you like).

FeyRaine

http://www.buckeyechickens.com/

 

[FeyRaine]

Mellabella,

Thanks for the link.

Since I posted that last time my entire plan has been revamped.

I am getting a Heritage Show Quality Trio from a Breeder in early Feb!

Since I will start w/ just the one Trio they are going to have to be in a coop/yard until I have enough of their offspring to risk some free ranging.

I'm really excited about it & will post chick pics. etc here in summer when I have them.

FeyRaine

 

[Melabella]

Awesome!

That is wonderful, can't wait to see the pictures and hear about how your plan will go.

Is it a public breeder? I have a friend who has promised me chicks come spring, she can't say enough about them.

Good Luck!