I bought 3 Buckeyes with my other chicks last week - only becuase I'm originally from Ohio, so it made sense. I also have Ameracaunas, Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds and New Hampshire Reds - 3 of each breed. I'm fairly new at this, and am raising the chicks for their eggs - have set up a rather large portion of the yard as an enclosed free-range with a henhouse for night roosting. Although I'm vaguely familiar with the other breeds, thought I'd do some research on the Buckeyes - found out they're "extremely rare" (wikipedia) and on the breed conservancy list! Now I'm in a little bit of a quandary:
(1) As the chicks grow, should I segregate them with their own coop and free-range area, and add a Buckeye rooster to continue this particular bloodline? I'm a little troubled by the thought of introducing "a rooster" maybe next year and creating hybrids from these particular hens, if, in fact, they're edging on extinction. Or I could introduce a Buckeye rooster, which would then cross-breed the other ladies....
(2) I conjunction with the above question, when should I introduce a rooster - now, while they're all still young, or maybe next Spring?
Any thoughts? I'm thinking along the lines of introducing a Buckeye rooster to protect their bloodline - can't afford a completely separate henhouse and fenced portion of the yard - have plenty of yard space, but not money!
Thought I'd include a pic of the henhouse...the open space in front of the nesting boxes is in the process of being extended as a 5' x 8' additional roofed area to give enough room for 15 birds. The nesting boxes are a book drop unit from a childcare center that went out of business - the cubbies are 12" x 12" x 12"...couldn't have worked out better!
Any input along these lines will sure be appreciated! Have a great evening, and God bless!
(1) As the chicks grow, should I segregate them with their own coop and free-range area, and add a Buckeye rooster to continue this particular bloodline? I'm a little troubled by the thought of introducing "a rooster" maybe next year and creating hybrids from these particular hens, if, in fact, they're edging on extinction. Or I could introduce a Buckeye rooster, which would then cross-breed the other ladies....
(2) I conjunction with the above question, when should I introduce a rooster - now, while they're all still young, or maybe next Spring?
Any thoughts? I'm thinking along the lines of introducing a Buckeye rooster to protect their bloodline - can't afford a completely separate henhouse and fenced portion of the yard - have plenty of yard space, but not money!
Any input along these lines will sure be appreciated! Have a great evening, and God bless!
