The Buckeye Thread

[Sydney Acres]

Quote:
They stood in them and cooled themselves

Clearly an intelligent breed also!! I lived in GA for 5 years, and had a few pet chickens in my suburban backyard. It got horribly hot in the summer, even though there was plenty of shade. There was an area in the backyard, around 4X6 foot, that would pool water about 3-5 inches deep after the sprinklers ran for a long time. It didn't drain well, so the pool stayed around most of the day. On hot days I would turn on the sprinklers for 20 minutes to cool the air, then finish filling the "pool" with the hose. As soon as the water started to rise, the birds would go stand in the cool pool. You could see the color run out of their faces as the blood went from their head to their feet to dissipate the heat. After ~10 minutes they would leave the pool and continue foraging, returning when they got too hot again.

Because they liked to cool their feet, I started leaving a shallow glass baking pan filled with water in the coop at night. On really hot nights (sometimes it didn't get below 80 degrees) I would sometimes find the most heat sensitive one sleeping in the water pan. I was a bit concerned at first, but soon realized that it was the only way she could stay comfortable enough to sleep. Sometimes our birds are quite smart!

 

[sumi]

Chickens are more intelligent than people think! Until feeding times roll round of course. I can't tell you how many times I've stepped on their toes when I go in there with the food bowl... It's going to happen again tomorrow morning, no doubt.

I used to live in a semi-desert region where the temperatures mid Summer occasionally went up as high as 130*F. I never lost a chicken, which was amazing, considering I felt like keeling over myself some days. I made sure they had plenty shade and water and after finding a few of them standing in the water bowl one day, I put the hose down in their run and made them a nice big mud puddle. They loved it! They scratched in it and sat in it and bathed in it. I learned then that giving them the opportunity to cool their feet really helps.

 

[Arielle]

Can I ask about egg laying??? COncidering each flock might be managed differently I 'd love to hear from many different set ups.

Given that buckeys are supposed to be winter layers, how well do you think your flock lives up to that billing?? THe definition of winter layer is one that continues to lay even when the days are short-- thru the fall. Perhaps if you are able to quantify the number laid compared to the spring . . . . .

 

[slfarms]

Can I ask about egg laying???  COncidering each flock might be managed differently I 'd love to hear from many different set ups. 

Given that buckeys are supposed  to be winter layers, how well do you think your flock lives up to that billing?? THe definition of winter layer is one that continues to lay even when the days are short-- thru the fall. Perhaps if you are able to quantify  the number laid compared to the spring  . . . . .

I can state during winter time frame I consistently get 2-3 eggs a day from my hens. I have three I keep track of as they are my show/breeding stock. After March I gather for eating purposes and don't keep tabs on it so much.

Others might be more informative than I.

 

[JoshU]

My production slowed in the end of October and is ramping back up now. I will get about half the eggs at least now as what I'll get in march thru the summer. I don't do lights or heat and average around 200 a year. Most come spring and fall but I get eggs all year round. Just slower in extreme heat and extreme cold periods. They all molted late fall.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Mine also take a break about October. I let them rest for about 6-weeks then start turning up the lights. I got nearly an egg every day from my Buckeyes last year from late December to July. I find the ones I have to be excellent layers during the cold and the only pen I'm getting at least one egg per day from even in this subzero weather we are having.

 

[Blueface]

It's nice to see the chatter; the holidays seemed like a bit of a dry spell on here but the new year should move this thread in a good direction.
Going back to share my views on my I like this breed: I've yet to raise a breed that acts more like the American gamecock than the Buckeye. This breed has a wonderful sense about it. They are a very proud breed. I've yet to have one act like a complete lunatic. So if you ever have one act in this fashion; you're better off eating him! The males as well as the females are very curious and not intimidated at all my the daily goings on. They are extremely docile and friendly.
I enjoy the way they carry themselves, a very full build with great balance. Their appearance is striking; a beautiful deep mahogany with a rich sheen that glistens in the sunlight. I enjoy when people ask what I give my birds or put on my birds to offer such a brilliant sheen....I tell them 2cc's of broodstock often offers those results .
Now we get the the production side; the meat the buckeye yields is wonderful; lean yet flavorful! The fat content can be reduced down to make an excellent poultry base. The breast often has much more meat than is observed. Fresh farm eggs are the best!! Just yesterday I cooked an egg breakfast for my girls; the whites were firm and the yolks stood up with a brilliant orangish glow. They really are a delicious meal. Like I said the overall egg yield is good; not great like that of a leghorn but I somehow feel the quality is much better.
I'm glad we have this breed because they are just different!

 

[Blueface]

If anyone would like to see the beauty that I speak of, my buckeye club is having a couple of our meets at the Southern Ohio Poultry Association in Lucasville Oh in May and at the Eastern Ohio Poultry Association FIRST annual show in September at the Summit County Fairgrounds which is pretty darn close to where the buckeyes were originally developed! We were very excited to be invited to that event! The buckeyes are a magnificent breed and deserve to be put on display. Like I have always said! A well bred and proper buckeye can best any breed in the American class!

 

[bunnibird55]

In addition to Buckeyes being sociable, beautiful and very good around the other animals, my Buckeyes are doing great in this cold weather! The wind chill right now is 2 degrees and while the turkeys and New Hampshires are huddled in the barns, the Buckeyes are out digging through the snow to the grass underneath and just strutting around as if it is a summer day! The egg production of the Buckeyes has dropped, but the the two dozen hens are still laying around 10 eggs a day. The New Hampshires have totally stopped. I just love their looks and their personality and I love the fact I don't have to keep their combs and wattles covered in vasoline in these cold temps!

 

[Arielle]

Thank you fro everyones reply on the "winter laying" -- was worried that the trait may have been lost along the way. I don't mind fewer eggs during peak production if I can have eggs during the whole year.

My Speckled sussex laid until mid October without lights, so I am hopeful the buckeyes can equal or best the speckles.

Bunnibird-- I keep my speckled rooster because he lost his comb with the previous owner. Otherwise single combs just cause me worry. ANd that is not fun.