Chicken Breed Focus - Buckeye

[ChicoryBlue]

Hello Crazi...There are many around the country who still raise Buckeyes. You probably have someone near you. I am on my second set of Buckeyes and am more than pleased with them. I came into chickens with no experience, just a passion to raise my own food. I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer so the Buckeye was right at home with me.

DEFINITELY go with a breeder as you'll get the best quality (provided they know what they're doing) . What I like about the Buckeye is that they are an American breed, they are good size so they are dual-purpose. If you get a good line, they can be good layers though the old-school lines (which some people have) don't lay as well. I appreciate their curious nature, they are friendly AND I have not had a people-aggresive male ever! They have a strong tendency to go broody and when one goes, two or three others join her.

Cons-slow growing, the boys take almost a year to reach full size. They LOVE to crow. The boys are hard on the girls' backs when it comes to mating. If you plan to sell them, they are not sex-linked so you're going to have to learn how to vent sex. The girls take a little longer to start laying, about 23 weeks and they often go broody. Usually when you don't want them to.

Summary, they are hardy (made for midwest climate) smart, flexible and passionate. They would make a great bird for a starter flock!

Do you think there’s a correlation between broodiness and old or new line / egg production?
The first 4 Buckeye hens I have had never went broody. They were hatchery stock (My Pet Chicken)

 

[goodb]

Do you think there’s a correlation between broodiness and old or new line / egg production?
The first 4 Buckeye hens I have had never went broody. They were hatchery stock (My Pet Chicken)

It seems that breeders have a better relationship with their animals.