Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

A counter-sunk hole is probably easier; just put in a bigger drill-bit and drill out the very top of the hole (but you probably knew that already).

Thanks! Yes I know about it in general but wasn't thinking here and didn't expect it, then I got frustrated and it was time to quit for the day!

 

[micstrachan]

Not really, but superficially maybe.
As My Pet Chicken hatchery birds - (maybe Meyer's carries a breed line) - Hazel looks to me to be closer to the SOP in feathering than the others, Butters the least. Popcorn exhibits the body shape and foraging temperament. I think the coloring is too light as far as the SOP.
http://americanbuckeyeclub.blogspot.com/p/understanding-sop.html
Here's about the black bar and tail feathers. They make a comment that the RIR rooster tail feathers show differently in light than Buckeyes'. RIR are not shiny?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UNDERCOLOR

​

Photo 1: Undercolor (by Shumaker Farms)

Photo 2: Undercolor (by Shumaker Farm)

When looking at a Buckeye one cannot help but notice the beautiful dark mahogany sheen of their plumage.

This dark sheen is mainly attributed to the "bar of slate" (undercolor) that is beneath the exterior plumage. It shows as a charcoal grey color (as shown in Photos 1 through 3).

This special undercolor (often referred to as “smutt” by poultry judges) is mentioned in both the 1905 and 2010 SOP, and was specifically called out by Nettie Metcalf in her early journal discussions about plumage color. The darker the undercolor, the darker the bird.

Photo 3: Undercolor (by Shumaker Farms)

You can see the undercolor of a Buckeye by lifting the feathers located on the birds' back (as illustrated here). Note that Photos 1 through 3 show varying levels of undercolor. Some undercolor should be present in all Buckeyes (as specified by the SOP). The undercolor has to be closely monitored so that the dark color doesn't "bleed" onto the surface of the feather.

Photo 4: Undercolor (by Shumaker Farms)

Many of today's Buckeyes don't have this undercolor. Instead, the feathers are a light red all the way to the base of the feather (as shown in Photo 4). This is leading to Buckeyes becoming lighter in surface color, and should be avoided.

TAIL CARRIAGE

View attachment 3061037

Photo1: Tail (by Shumaker Farm)

View attachment 3061039

Photo 2: Tail (by Shumaker Farm)

MALE: Photos 1 and 2 are representative of how a cock should carry their tail and how the tail feathers should unfold or spread out.

As the standard suggests, the tail should be of medium length and size, carried moderately upright (roughly 40 degrees above the horizon). Sickles and coverts (secondary feathers) should be of medium length, nicely curved, and sufficiently abundant to cover the stiff primary feathers. Sickles and coverts should be shaded bay and black to avoid a sharp contrast between the body and tail. Pinched tails and excessively long secondary feathers are to be avoided.
Note that the camera flash shows the sheen of the tail feathers in Photo 2, making them look grey. This is one of the traits that separate the Buckeye from the Rhode Island Red, and illustrates that the feathers are not dull in color.

​

View attachment 3061040

Photo 3: Tail (by Shumaker Farm)

​

View attachment 3061041

Photo 4: Tail (by Shumaker Farm)

FEMALE: Photos 3 and 4 are representative of how a female should carry its tail and how the tail feathers should unfold or spread out. Note the color of the hen in Photo 4 is very light. This is due to the hen's age.
The female tail should be medium in length, fairly well-spread, carried at an angle of thirty degrees (30°) above horizontal.

I agree. Not a Buckeye. How could I forget the dark undercolor?

I remember reading how they were bred by the only woman breeder. The name Metcalf comes to mind, but I may be making that up in my head.

Wasn’t she specifically breeding for RIRs with Rose Combs?

 

[BY Bob]

This mornings greetings has warned me that in the next few days/weeks my girls are going to drive me insane. I currently have Holly incubating a Rock waiting on day 18 for the viable Corona eggs in the incubator. Baby has spent the same amount of time trying to hatch nothing and I will probably give her the 2 Daisy eggs when I give Holly hers. Momma hen is under a week in on her eggs and as hateful as ever. What do I come out to at breakfast time this morning? Corona and Blueberry walking around like angry tom turkeys making the broody clucking. Squirrel, Raven and one of the cochin girls are also walking around like ticking time bombs but only puff up when someone walks by them. I will fight them, 3 broodies is enough, they need to get this nonsense out of their heads. Who is not broody you may ask, the silkie, Chiquita. She thought about it for all of 2 days about 2 weeks ago and then came to her senses. According to everything you read and hear about silkies and the horror stories of them being perpetual broodies I've came to the conclusion she is broken.

This is going to be quite the challenge for you. I wish you the best.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree. Not a Buckeye. Hiw could I forget the dark undercolor?

I remrmber reading how they were bred by the obly woman breeder. The bane Metcalf comes to mind, but U nay be making that up in my head.

Wasn’t she specifically breeding fir RIRs with Rise Combs?

Yes, I was remembering wrong. Sort of. She only CALLED them pea combed RIRs, even though they were actually something else.

 

[micstrachan]

No, but I'm very new to learning about them. I think I posted somewhere Granny looks nothing like my Buckeyes did, nor like any chick or pullet/cockerel Buckeye pics I've seen. There's too much variety going on from head to tail, it's a kaleidoscope! (Look at the speckling on the neck! Way not a Buckeye.) If she had grey/green legs you all would be saying EE (except for no muff), right? The head & body shape is too long and narrow also but the camera may be exaggerating that. Buckeyes are bigger than other chicks, but more so they are shaped like little tanks, little bulldogs.

True! I used to love Ruby’s meaty thighs. Minnie isn’t so meaty, but her mahogany sheen is outstanding!

Can’t wait to find out what they are! How old are these babies now?

Ruby as a 2.5 week old chick:

Ruby as a 6-7 week old pullet. Feathers had changed significantly.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Today we had the same weather as kris so no chicken photos.
This evening we had a heartbreak. Our beautiful girl Star past away. She was sweet, silly, exasperating, and extra cuddly always. We had her most of her 16.5 years. She hadn't been herself the last week, tonight she left us rather suddenly with both of us holding her.

So sorry! She lived a pretty long life, and a well-loved one! It isn't easy, nonetheless.

 

[rural mouse]

Wow. I sometimes use the leaves in salad but have never tasted the flowers. I think for now I will enjoy their smiling yellow faces all over everywhere!

Every part of the dandelion is edible and the flowers are a critical early food for bees which are critical to our food chain. Interestingly chickens will not eat bees and it's NOT from trying and getting stung.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I agree. Not a Buckeye. Hiw could I forget the dark undercolor?

I remrmber reading how they were bred by the obly woman breeder. The bane Metcalf comes to mind, but U nay be making that up in my head.

Wasn’t she specifically breeding fir RIRs with Rise Combs?

Nettie Metcalf (since I was just browsing again about buckeyes it's in my brain). Yes and no, yes, she was breeding for a dark red color, but for a small frost-bite resistant comb and to be dual-purpose. She was doing it prior to the Rhode Island Red development, and purportedly later gave some of her birds to the RIR developers to improve their stock.

 

[Marie2020]

Has anyone seen/heard from @Lady Red lately? Hope all is well with her!

I was thinking of her the other day. I hope she's okay

 

[Marie2020]

Has anyone seen/heard from @Lady Red lately? Hope all is well with her!

I have just sent her a message telling her she's been missed.