The Buckeye Thread

[Apdeb]

Im in ohio!!! Love this state!

 

[Minniechickmama]

my feather color is very dark red, nothing even close to an orange color.

Same here. If they do come out a lighter red even, they are sold off to lay eggs for a backyard flock. There is nothing wrong with that. I do have some lighter birds than others, but overall, they are definitely a dark red, it is all relative. I have seen many Buckeyes on this site and others who were closer in color to New Hampshires. With nice, dark Bucks around, I don't know why a breeder would continue to breed those light/orange birds?

 

[Blueface]

Same here. If they do come out a lighter red even, they are sold off to lay eggs for a backyard flock. There is nothing wrong with that. I do have some lighter birds than others, but overall, they are definitely a dark red, it is all relative. I have seen many Buckeyes on this site and others who were closer in color to New Hampshires. With nice, dark Bucks around, I don't know why a breeder would continue to breed those light/orange birds?

I was refering to my younger chick colors, I often find that darker chicks grow into dark mature fowl. But I agree with the many buckeyes being a very light color....I cull any that come that way to prevent the birds from ever being utilized for reproduction.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Exactly, I only really look at their color once they have matured to having adult feathering. Even then, some may molt into a lighter shade. And before you say it, Joe, I know yours don't

Actually, mine have either gotten darker or stayed the same this last year. I noticed I have see a few more black tips once they molt out though.

 

[JoshU]

My first chicks of the year. A few cornish and a few buckeyes.

 

[slfarms]

Nice Josh! Congrats. My first chicks of the year. A few cornish and a few buckeyes.

 

[alana124]

Does anyone here have a problem with their Buckeye roos ripping back feathers off the females when it mates with them? All 5 pullets (in the pen with him) have their backs near the tail mangled or ripped out exposing raw skin.

He's headed for the dinner table, but I wonder can that behavior be bred out of the rooster?

And, I read that a lot of people keep their roosters and pullets/hens separated until mating time. What does one do if there's not enough room for that type of set up?

 

[Blueface]

Are there any feathers on the male missing (back, saddle, hackle)?

 

[fowlman01]

Does anyone here have a problem with their Buckeye roos ripping back feathers off the females when it mates with them? All 5 pullets (in the pen with him) have their backs near the tail mangled or ripped out exposing raw skin.

He's headed for the dinner table, but I wonder can that behavior be bred out of the rooster? 

And, I read that a lot of people keep their roosters and pullets/hens separated until mating time. What does one do if there's not enough room for that type of set up? 

the males tread on the females in that area during mating. It's usually a cosmetic issue, but can be serious issue in some cases. Keep the males spurs trimmed too. Sometimes the spurs dig into the sides of the hen and it isn't noticed.

Walt

 

[Minniechickmama]

A good saddle on each of the hens helps too, but what Walt said is definitely something to keep an eye on. I am not crazy about dressing hens in anything, but the saddles do help keep the skin covered from the sun too.
This is normal though, and some hens will get it worse than others. When they molt they will have all new and pretty feathers again, but they will be bare backed until then.