Show off Butchered Heritage Type Chickens.

[Amer]

View attachment 4206821
12 week old malines cockerel culled for a valgus deformity. He was significantly smaller than the other birds from the start. Still dressed out at 2.2lbs (didn't get a live weight).

I have at least a dozen buckeye cockerels that need sorted and culled. Any tips on what to look for in keepers for someone breeding with an eye to meat production?

I can give tips!
I competed on a market poultry judging team! Also years ago, Christopher McCary showed us what to feel for in a Buckeye.
Obviously you want to keep birds that grow the fastest, with no skeletal deformities. The legs should be capable of supporting their weight, that means they shouldn't be too close together. You want a long keel with width of muscle all along the keel and you should be able to feel a lot of muscle over the breast. Also, feel to make sure the body is nice and deep.
Also, select for broad backs.

 

[SnackMeat]

View attachment 4206821
12 week old malines cockerel culled for a valgus deformity. He was significantly smaller than the other birds from the start. Still dressed out at 2.2lbs (didn't get a live weight).

I have at least a dozen buckeye cockerels that need sorted and culled. Any tips on what to look for in keepers for someone breeding with an eye to meat production?

I'm still a newb, but since we're not doing show quality and have to worry about aesthetics, I would say I would list it in this order:

1. Any previous health scares that might make you think they have a weaker constitution in general;

2. Temperament. I won't even try to trade or sell an asshole and will actively try to discourage it if someone wants one of my cockerels for aesthetic reasons if the chicken is a jerk.

3. Food motivated. For one thing, want them focused on food rather than going on adventures. And two, flighty birds in general add so much time to my chicken routine that they are second in line (behind assholes) for culling for meat early. Think about who costs you extra time daily/weekly and it becomes a lot easier to cull even if they're pretty.

 

[Molpet]

Any tips on what to look for in keepers for someone breeding with an eye to meat production?

In my signature a link to bramblewood on that

 

[AinaWGSD]

In my signature a link to bramblewood on that

That was very helpful, thanks!

I can give tips!
I competed on a market poultry judging team! Also years ago, Christopher McCary showed us what to feel for in a Buckeye.
Obviously you want to keep birds that grow the fastest, with no skeletal deformities. The legs should be capable of supporting their weight, that means they shouldn't be too close together. You want a long keel with width of muscle all along the keel and you should be able to feel a lot of muscle over the breast. Also, feel to make sure the body is nice and deep.
Also, select for broad backs.

Thanks! Now I just gotta wrap my head around the nebulous idea of depth. Im assuming deep chested (like how some dog breeds are deep chested)?

I'm still a newb, but since we're not doing show quality and have to worry about aesthetics, I would say I would list it in this order:

1. Any previous health scares that might make you think they have a weaker constitution in general;

2. Temperament. I won't even try to trade or sell an asshole and will actively try to discourage it if someone wants one of my cockerels for aesthetic reasons if the chicken is a jerk.

3. Food motivated. For one thing, want them focused on food rather than going on adventures. And two, flighty birds in general add so much time to my chicken routine that they are second in line (behind assholes) for culling for meat early. Think about who costs you extra time daily/weekly and it becomes a lot easier to cull even if they're pretty.

To be honest I'm hoping to to both. I don't have a SOP yet though, and showing isn't even an option in my state this year because of avian influenza. And who knows, I may decide i don't want worry about breed standards in the end.
1) Absolutely! The malines cockerel that we culled was on the cut list at 1-2 weeks old, as soon as it was apparent he had physical deformities. I've been fortunate with this brood. They've all been healthy from day 1.
2) Agreed. Our first buckeye rooster was a jerk, it landed him on the dinner menu and then he sped it along by trying to sneak up on my husband. Hubby stepped backwards not knowing the rooster was there and broke his neck. So far these guys and gals have been lovely. It brings a smile to my face when we pull up and all 40 chickens come running to the fence.
3) Good points. That was part of what led us to buckeyes. I've never really had a flighty one and while they will run if they think we're trying to pick them up none of them seems at all distressed when we do. All of them are all about food.

 

[Amer]

That was very helpful, thanks!

Thanks! Now I just gotta wrap my head around the nebulous idea of depth. Im assuming deep chested (like how some dog breeds are deep chested)?

To be honest I'm hoping to to both. I don't have a SOP yet though, and showing isn't even an option in my state this year because of avian influenza. And who knows, I may decide i don't want worry about breed standards in the end.
1) Absolutely! The malines cockerel that we culled was on the cut list at 1-2 weeks old, as soon as it was apparent he had physical deformities. I've been fortunate with this brood. They've all been healthy from day 1.
2) Agreed. Our first buckeye rooster was a jerk, it landed him on the dinner menu and then he sped it along by trying to sneak up on my husband. Hubby stepped backwards not knowing the rooster was there and broke his neck. So far these guys and gals have been lovely. It brings a smile to my face when we pull up and all 40 chickens come running to the fence.
3) Good points. That was part of what led us to buckeyes. I've never really had a flighty one and while they will run if they think we're trying to pick them up none of them seems at all distressed when we do. All of them are all about food.

Everything is measured with your hands.

 

[AinaWGSD]

We processed 14 21 week old buckeye cockerels this weekend. When we were done, we had 56lbs of whole chicken. We left 4 whole and parted the other 10 out (leg quarters, boneless skinless breasts, and wings).

Half the parted carcasses wing tips and feet went into the pressure cooker with onions celery and carrots and we got 10 quarts of stock plus another almost full quart jar in the fridge waiting for the second batch.

Tonight we did shake'n'bake with 4 of the leg quarters and they were  so good! Also much bigger than I expected. 3/4 people couldn't finish their quarter. Inclusive 2 teenaged boys!

 

[Amer]

I've been enjoying my bantam Buckeyes in chicken pot pie and chicken dumpling soup...

(I accidentally evaporated the broth though XD)

 

[Amer]

I almost forgot I added it to my cabbage and dumplings a couple weeks ago too.