The Buckeye Thread

[Apdeb]

 

[Apdeb]

 

[Blueface]

Im just proud of my bucks!!!!! They are handling this yoyo weather like champs not wimps

Yeah buddy; my bucks aren't even batting an eye! Tomorrow is going to be -8F with a -40C wind chill. Good stuff

 

[Blueface]

Apdeb; which bird is she? And based on those pics; I know exactly where you got them from due to the fuss that was made previously. I'd imagine there is a few "special" people watching ever so closely right now we can take that conversation to a PM.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I have a general prejudice against white chickens. Rocks. Leghorns. Doesn't matter. SSHs were my only exception. I used to call them Dalmatian chickens. I also used to call the Silver Spangled Nutjobs because they were so much crazier than my Buckeyes.

For their docile nature, the only thing that beats the laid back Buckeyes in that category are my Cochins that I can walk right in a pick up even with no prior handling.

People coming here always used to think the GPHamburgs WERE pheasants, it always made me laugh. My Minorcas can be a bit flighty and they would roost on the top of the 8-foot wall if I didn't have them wired in. Otherwise, I would constantly have to restart my pens for breeding because they would mix in. I had one Welsummer who was afraid of the older birds when I first put her in the pen and would go over the wall. I only have the Minorcas wired in at top.

 

[A Nonny Moose]

Many folks will be hatching chicks in the next few months. The following opinion might be of interest. It is from an article published in the November 2013 issues of “International Hatchery Practice” by Pete Sbanotto, product manager Cobb-Vanttress Inc. page 11.

“The amount of crude protein (CP) consumed in the first 28 days is critical to frame development. Research has shown that a minimum of 180g per pullet of CP by four weeks of age is needed for proper development. In this trial, the bottom 25% (by pullet weight) which consumed the least protein was only 62% of the average weight of the same group and less than half the weight of the bottom 25% fed the most CP

They had already lost their weight and skeletal uniformity which could not be recovered later with feed or management techniques. The lack of CP could be from too low protein in the feed formulation or feed form (for example, pelleting and crumbling the feed which lessens the feeding time through faster consumption), not enough light hours or intensity to allow chicks enough opportunity for feeding, or feeder space and delivery problems.

Any one of these items can ruin a flock within the first four weeks. In addition, the time available to have feed in front of the birds can be lengthened by feeding a lower energy mash which increases the volume available.”

Anyhow… it’s food for thought

 

[Arielle]

Mr roy with his new hamps!!! Im just proud of my bucks!!!!! They are handling this yoyo weather like champs not wimps

Ready to dive from 60 to 10??? Brrrrrrr

Quote:

I was introduced to the hamburgs via the "extra' chick in my McMurray order-- I was facinated with him from the beginning. He was a late bloomer compared to my other cckls. but he was a stunning bird. Small , very small compared to the real SSH I saw at a show. SSH are a breed I keep coming back to. WHat fencing will keep them in??

Domestic dogs are the biggest problem for farmers. I"m reworking my fencing also: perimeter of electric fencing. Still thinking about a LGD.

My dogs are death on any other predator that comes by, but neighborhood dogs get a pass, even when chasing chickens. My dogs perceive them as interlopers, but being retrievers, don't have the same protective instincts as real LGDs, or even herding breeds.

The Hamburgs I got from Meyer were small, bantam sized with corresponding bantam crow. I would like to get some LF SSH's because they are stunning looking birds. And they are even more rare than Buckeyes (which makes me wonder why the ALBC doesn't classify them as endangered as they do Buckeyes). There were no LF Hamburgs of any type at the ON this year that I noted. Several bantam SSHs. Last there was only one pair of SSH. Our county fair had a GPH pair, and my daughter's best friend won first place with her SSH bantam pair that her friend's dad had picked up at auction. If I were to guess, they looked like McMurray birds. Very nice markings and no smut in the sickles.

I think they make a very nice, hyper contrast to Buckeyes.
YEs, hyper is a good word. Whitey, our hatchery SSH, was always just out of reach- very quick on his feet and very aware. Once on his roost, he was sweet to handle. No fussing about being handled. He left a big impression on me.

ALBC numbers are based on a loose reporting system-- not very accruate IMO, but it makes the point that many of these old breeds eed conservation. I laugh at the Dutch Warmblood listing-- a recent import that gets the critical listing. Not sure a high production horse belongs on the listing at all really, and certainly is NOT a heritage breed at all. IT is a well bred high wuality performance horse designed with the best computer generated data and well qualified paid horsemen to run the breed assn in Holland. Second biggest export from Holland is horses. Flowers first of course.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Doing chores was uncomfortable, but tolerable for as long as it took. I had to finish off feeding today with cracked corn, which maybe isn't such a bad thing considering the windchill at the moment is -39. You see, I need to make a feed run, but my vehicles are frozen. I had thought that my truck came with a factory installed plug-in, but it seems I was wrong. I haven't need to use one on it in the two years I have had it, so that is kind of foggy until it is needed. I did take out a pot of cooked oatmeal and some cornbread and veggies. What they need most though is water in all this cold. All in all, they are doing alright and I even got 4 eggs today. Woo Hoo! I am SO very much looking forward to the upper 20s and low 30s this weekend!

 

[slfarms]

Doing chores was uncomfortable, but tolerable for as long as it took.  I had to finish off feeding today with cracked corn, which maybe isn't such a bad thing considering the windchill at the moment is -39.  You see, I need to make a feed run, but my vehicles are frozen.  I had thought that my truck came with a factory installed plug-in, but it seems I was wrong.  I haven't need to use one on it in the two years I have had it, so that is kind of foggy until it is needed.  I did take out a pot of cooked oatmeal and some cornbread and veggies.  What they need most though is water in all this cold.  All in all, they are doing alright and I even got 4 eggs today.  Woo Hoo!  I am SO very much looking forward to the upper 20s and low 30s this weekend!

Sounds like yours are mirroring ours. -39 windchills here also and over 10 inches of snow. Heading out to feed and water again. So far all buckeyes and other fowl are surviving.

Come on spring! In other news had buckeye eggs waiting on me last night unfrozen so hatching eggs are coming on even in these temps.

 

[Blueface]

Heck.....it's 75 and sunny in Ohio