The Buckeye Thread

[knittychickadee]

Buckeyes are fan.tas.tic in the cold. My old profile pic showed a couple girls with their heads lowered down in the cold while waiting their turn at a nest box during a week of -20 wind chills.

 

[slfarms]

The peacomb assists the Buckeye in being an excellent fowl for cold weather in addition to the heavier body mass to keep it warm.

In the past and present I've observed pea combs of different sizes on show and utility buckeyes. SOP states it should be a medium comb for males.

Why do you think we see such a wide variety when we should be breeding towards a comb that fits the SOP description?

 

[HappyBuckeye]

The peacomb assists the Buckeye in being an excellent fowl for cold weather in addition to the heavier body mass to keep it warm.

In the past and present I've observed pea combs of different sizes on show and utility buckeyes. SOP states it should be a medium comb for males.

Why do you think we see such a wide variety when we should be breeding towards a comb that fits the SOP description?

I've noticed that as well, I really just think there's a huge variation in numerous traits with the Buckeye breed. I'm not sure you can really improve the breed AS A WHOLE without identifying flaws and working towards a common goal such as the SoP. Perhaps the SoP is just too vague and open for multiple interpretations and that's why you see such a patchwork from farm to farm and show to show.

 

[Wynette]

With other comb types, they vary greatly depending upon where the strain was originally from. With single combs, we find strains raised in the south have MUCH larger combs than their Midwestern or Northern cousins. Combs dissipate heat, and so it's thought that the larger Southern combs have developed in large part to assist with cooling.

I wonder if the Buckeye breed is similar?

Typically, comb issues are very low-point faults; it's one of the last thing that most breeders work on after body type issues are resolved. I would be curious what our judges here on BYC say about the Buckeye comb and point value for what they would consider a comb that's too large or too small.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Variety and inconsistencies in what is currently seen in the Buckeye may simply be the result of a breed desperately trying to come back from the brink of neglect, if not near extinction, no?. There are more than a few breeds in this precarious place, the Buckeye is not alone. With more folks drawn to and working together in keeping, breeding and improving them, such wide inconsistencies can be toned down perhaps. Here's wishing all the Buckeye folks a great February breeding season ahead. Step by step. Stay at it.

 

[fowlman01]

Variety and inconsistencies in what is currently seen in the Buckeye may simply be the result of a breed desperately trying to come back from the brink of neglect, if not near extinction, no?. There are more than a few breeds in this precarious place, the Buckeye is not alone. With more folks drawn to and working together in keeping, breeding and improving them, such wide inconsistencies can be toned down perhaps. Here's wishing all the Buckeye folks a great February breeding season ahead. Step by step. Stay at it.

That is my opinion as well Fred.

Walt

 

[slfarms]

With other comb types, they vary greatly depending upon where the strain was originally from.  With single combs, we find strains raised in the south have MUCH larger combs than their Midwestern or Northern cousins.  Combs dissipate heat, and so it's thought that the larger Southern combs have developed in large part to assist with cooling.

I wonder if the Buckeye breed is similar?

Typically, comb issues are very low-point faults; it's one of the last thing that most breeders work on after body type issues are resolved.  I would be curious what our judges here on BYC say about the Buckeye comb and point value for what they would consider a comb that's too large or too small.

I have noticed in summer that my boys combs swell larger because of the heat. .

I've seen at some shows were the judge actually marked a pen card with "comb to large". I like when the judges make notes like that so that all can learn when observing their breed of choice at shows. It helps us learn

 

[slfarms]

Variety and inconsistencies in what is currently seen in the Buckeye may simply be the result of a breed desperately trying to come back from the brink of neglect, if not near extinction, no?.   There are more than a few breeds in this precarious place, the Buckeye is not alone.  With more folks drawn to and working together in keeping, breeding and improving them, such wide inconsistencies can be toned down perhaps.  Here's wishing all the Buckeye folks a great February breeding season ahead.  Step by step.  Stay at it.

I have to agree as well when it's pointed out like that. We are all rebuilding the breed to match the SOP. Hatching starts in January for me. I can't wait to see the dark biddies

 

[buckeyechicken]

What would be the proper dimension of the comb? I keep hearing medium comb to someone that has no idea what a medium comb is it is hard for new comers to know what to breed to or look for when selecting their breeding stock.

 

[JoshU]

What would be the proper dimension of the comb? I keep hearing medium comb to someone that has no idea what a medium comb is it is hard for new comers to know what to breed to or look for when selecting their breeding stock.

Very good question. Medium compared to what? Well IMO you have to read the whole standard. And also the whole description. It also says close to the head. So if you see a big space between the peas on the comb and the skull, I would call that larger than medium. I am looking for minimal space between well defined peas and 3 straight rows. And the hens should be small but still have 3 defined rows. My feeling is that the females are the key to this. If your female combs are showing any space off the head then I believe they will throw too large a comb in their offspring. Especially the males. I am looking more so at what traits my females are carrying as far as type more so than my males. Not completely but I believe the female is the key. This is all my opinion and only from a few short years of breeding and tons of research. I am no expert bit I believe what Nettie and a few successful breeders have to say. I'm having success in my birds so far in my opinion again.