The Buckeye Thread

[Minniechickmama]

I had a feeling my Buckeye eggs were on the smaller side, but then I weighed them and they are heavier than the store eggs state (not that I have bought store eggs in a long while, but the box has a weight on it. Most of mine were well over, like 60g to over 70g.

I haven't research or tested if a pullet lays the same shape as the hen she came from, but I suspect there is something there of a relationship. Mine tend to be normal egg shape to more round with the Buckeyes. However, I can always tell which eggs came from the Wyandottes because they are elongated. I think if you want some variation or egg improvement for shape and color, then you would want to get a rooster to outcross, but then if you do that, you then will see other things happen that you may or may not want to. IMO, using the same line will get you the what you already have for the most part.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Most of my Buckeye hatching eggs that I set were 50-60 grams, very few at the top end. I discarded those that were smaller than 50 grams. They might have been pullet eggs, I don't know but I did crack open a couple of the tiny eggs and was amazed at how big the yolk was.
Minniechickmama the project egg layer birds will be crosses of different breeds, including Buckeyes.... so I expect lots of weird stuff to happen (Kinda hoping!!) . I don't plan on outcrossing my Buckeyes to anything but another Buckeye, when breeding for more Buckeyes though. I'll use selection for that.
It may be unreasonable but I am going to try to aim for those Malines-sized eggs from my purebred Buckeyes, eventually! I only have experience with the hybrid dual puprose layer crosses, and they laid huge eggs so that's what I am used to seeing. If a 3 lb leghorn can crank out 65 gram eggs, no reason a Buckeye can't is the way I see it! I don't expect them to lay 300 eggs a year but boy they had better be big ones

.

 

[beagleman77]

Hey I don't have any buckeyes yet but I want some but can't get them till next summer but the only hatchery with all the breeds I want is meyer did any of y'all ordered some from them can you post pics pls and thx

 

[hellbender]

For my purposes, a 60 + gram egg from my Buckeyes is perfectly acceptable if not desirable.

A certain comprehension of the physiology of avian reproduction is a requirement when considering an attempt to change the weight/size of eggs in any given family.

JMHO

 

[Minniechickmama]

Hey I don't have any buckeyes yet but I want some but can't get them till next summer but the only hatchery with all the breeds I want is meyer did any of y'all ordered some from them can you post pics pls and thx

I have heard that they are the better hatchery to get Buckeyes from.

 

[beagleman77]

Ok thx

 

[hellbender]

I got my Buckeyes and Chanteclers from Cackle Hatchery and couldn't be happier with them. The Buckeyes are great for me but the Chanteclers are absolutely 'BENCHMARK' as far as I'm concerned.



EDIT:to say...BENCHMARK so far as any hatchery has to offer.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

For my purposes, a 60 + gram egg from my Buckeyes is perfectly acceptable if not desirable.

A certain comprehension of the physiology of avian reproduction is a requirement when considering an attempt to change the weight/size of eggs in any given family.

JMHO

Hellbender I will keep your advice in mind--- thank you, always appreciated----

I've read the ALBC PDF on selecting for egg laying so that's going to be my guide. Unfortunately I only have a few hens ( I think,---- mine are stll young- I think I might have five pullets out of the lot of them. Just a guess! Based purely on their behaviour. ) to start so This will be an interesting journey. 60+ grams on average would be very nice indeed. Hellbender are you saying that by not desirable, an egg should be smaller, or bigger? Just making sure I understand.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I have another Buckeye question- I have noticed that some chicks are very slow to feather in. Have you noticed that in your chicks? Have you selected for fast feathering and if so, did you notice any difference in their quality, compared to slow feathering?

 

[hellbender]

Hellbender I will keep your advice in mind--- thank you, always appreciated----

I've read the ALBC PDF on selecting for egg laying so that's going to be my guide. Unfortunately I only have a few hens ( I think,---- mine are stll young- I think I might have five pullets out of the lot of them. Just a guess! Based purely on their behaviour. ) to start so This will be an interesting journey. 60+ grams on average would be very nice indeed. Hellbender are you saying that by not desirable, an egg should be smaller, or bigger? Just making sure I understand.

Sorry for not being more clear. I think 60 grams is adiquate and perhaps the bare minimum. Somewhat heavier eggs won't do any harm in my opinion but to expect a corresponding egg weight to that of the Leghorn is far more than I would ever aspire from one of these extra large birds, either Buckeye or Chantecler. 65 to 70 grams would be sweet but tops ....for MY purposes.