Wondering just what sort of chicken this is. A good layer? color? any comments greatly appreciated...am ordering chix soon..thanks..Judi
No picture showing up... :-( LOL, whoops, guess I should read the title as part of the question. I can't tell you a whole lot about Buckeyes other than they are lovely birds and are on the breed conservation list.
The Buckeye breed was developed in the late 1800's by a woman named Ms. Nettie Metcalf. In fact, this is the only breed in the US developed by a woman. It originated in Ohio and was named after the 'Buckeye' tree because the coloring on this breed is a deep mahogany like the buckeye nut. Buckeye's are a vigorous breed, excellent foragers and they lay well. I've read that the cocks fill out nicely for meat (though, being a heritage breed, the cocks take a little longer to fill out enough to eat). The Buckeye is a semi-broody breed, not too broody, but broody enough to hatch out some chicks each year. If your ordering Buckeye chicks, I'd suggest you check out the Buckeye breed thread, there is a lot of experienced Buckeye breeders that you can learn from about this wonderful breed.
We have two little buckeyes about 6 weeks old. I love them. They are beautiful, come out to greet when I go to the coop. I think they're a great choice for chickens!
Can I ask you guys how you differentiate the RIR from the Buckeye? I thought I had rosecomb RIR, but I'm being told they look more like Buckeye? If they are Buckeye, then what I can say is that they are very beautiful!! Rich colour! They have a 'wet' look to their feathers, hehe, I find that pretty snazy! They are the first one out the coop ALL THE TIME!! They run a lot (way more then my Barred Rocks), go after mice and little birds, and bugs obviously. Mine are only 18 weeks, so haven't gotten to the laying part yet, but they are a bit smaller then average size, so that gives me the impression they will be good layers I definitly want to hatch some eggs out and get more of them. Love the breed! Would this be a Buckeye? If not then I just gave you feedback on a RIR, lol!
