The Buckeye Thread

[knittychickadee]

You're funny. This is DRESSED weight.

Hey I had to check, I've seen people post that they had 5 month old Buckeye cockerels that weighed just 5 lbs live. That's why I said properly bred. And since I've never raised Dark Cornish I have no idea what they would weigh at certain ages. But I'd like to know the weight of the cross at 16 wks.

 

[slfarms]

Hey I had to check, I've seen people post that they had 5 month old Buckeye cockerels that weighed just 5 lbs live. That's why I said properly bred. And since I've never raised Dark Cornish I have no idea what they would weigh at certain ages. But I'd like to know the weight of the cross at 16 wks.

I've averaged about a pound a month gain with my bucks. Seven month old weighed in at 6 lbs 8 ounces. So I don't think if fed properly or bred for a heavier meat buck it's impossible to attain 5 lbs at five months.

Like Minnie said your Cornish or Cornish cross are the way to go for meat. I prefer the taste of the bucks so I will cross to Cornish for a heavier meat bird. Even though my buck Roos weigh in heavy on their own.

 

[Apdeb]

Buckeyes are listed as "ark of taste" for meat birds!! At what age are they processing for best flavor???

 

[MeanV2]

You're funny. This is DRESSED weight.

I thought they were Funny too!!

Dan

 

[Pathfinders]

One of the things I am concerned about with the recent emphasis in this thread on show wins is, that newcomers to the breed will come here and feel overwhelmed or as if they are unwelcome if they do not show.

Winning at shows is not a requirement for being a good breeder of a given breed of chickens. Let's be very clear on that. Showing is helpful, if for no other reason than to prevent "barn blindness" and to give you the opportunity to see other people's birds and talk to them about the breed you're working with (networking with friends is my favorite part of shows!) But showing your birds, even winning at shows, is not a requirement for being a good breeder.

Case in point: Donna McCormick. Donna used to live north of me. She bred Grey Silkies and Tolbunt Polish for many, many years (decades.) She never showed them. When I met Donna and saw her birds I was absolutely bowled over by their quality. Type was as close to perfect as it gets. Color was astounding. Yet, she'd never set foot in a showroom. She bred to the Standard, and it worked.

I convinced Donna to come with me to a show one fall. She entered just a few birds, and won! It fired her up, and she wound up showing for several years, invariably winning wherever she went. I personally feel she has (had?) the very best Grey Silkies in North America, and I am not the only one who has said so. Sadly, about two years ago her husband passed away from cancer, and she had to downsize and move away. I haven't heard from her in a long time, and don't know if she still has birds. But the point is, Donna didn't need to show to breed excellent birds. Nor does anyone else.

And another thing that seems to get lost in the huzzah over those who do show is the cost! Showing is not cheap. It costs money to attend even a one-day show. Entry fees, clean up fees, gas, wear and tear on the vehicle, time away from the farm (and hiring help if need be for two day shows.) All these things cost money. That doesn't include the cost of an ad placed in Poultry Press if you win, and the cost of dining out, and the hotel room! Showing isn't cheap. And for some people, it's just not in their budget. I know for us, we had to stop showing in the spring of 2010 because we had two kids who were getting ready for college, and believe me when I say (for those of you who don't have kids in college yet), if you think you know how much college and related expenses cost, you don't. Add about 25 to 50% onto what you think it's going to cost, and you might be close.

Or perhaps someone has lost their job. Or been downsized. Or furloughed. And they can't afford to go to shows. That doesn't mean they don't do their very best to breed the best birds they can! It just means, that for whatever reason, they're not out there chasing trophies. It's not something anyone should be scorned for.

Now I will say, I applaud the efforts Joe has made getting the Buckeye breed in front of judges. The more different judges we get these birds in front of, the larger the classes they have to judge, the better. And it's a good thing more and more people are showing them! And it's really pretty awesome to have them on Champion Row, it really is, I've never said any different.

But I don't think that people who don't show their birds, for whatever reason, should be made to feel like second class citizens in here. There's just no need for that. This thread should encompass anyone who is interested in Buckeyes, from the high end show breeder, to the simple farmstead owner who just wants a couple of wonderful birds.

I mean, isn't that what this thread is all about folks? Inclusiveness. That's the name of the game, IMO.

((getting down off of soapbox now))

 

[Minniechickmama]

Buckeyes are listed as "ark of taste" for meat birds!! At what age are they processing for best flavor???

I would wait until about 5 months to butcher, but around 7 or 8, they have great flavor without being too tough, and they have an excellent size. BUT I think that that is a subjective way to go. It all depends on the size you like, what your family likes and what you are using them for. At that age/size I like them, they may be too big for some.

 

[PA Farmer24]

@PAFARMER
I was born in butler co, PA

glad to see another Butler Co res on here.

 

[vmdanielsen]

I'm hoping to get some advice on a lone Buckeye cockerel (Urch stock) that I hatched in May.

He was the only chick to hatch from 12+ eggs, and I don't have any other Buckeyes. Simply because I don't have a mate for him and don't want to keep superfluous roosters thru winter, he was on the short list to go when I thin out the flock next month. But since I really want to start working with this breed, I thought I'd get a second opinion. If he shows any promise at all, I may hang onto him a bit longer and start looking for some hens. If not, I'll cull him and start over with a batch of chicks next Spring.






He's about 17 weeks old now, and feathers are still coming in. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Hey Jill,

I have not been on in awhile or I would have responded sooner. I live between Albany NY and the Massachusetts border. I have some pullets to sell. I will PM you.


All other buckeye breeders: how much do you sell pullets for? Utility or breeder quality? Thanks for your input!

Ginny

 

[slfarms]

Hey Jill,

I have not been on in  awhile or I would have responded sooner.  I live between Albany NY and the Massachusetts border.  I have some pullets to sell.  I will PM you.


All other buckeye breeders:  how much do you sell pullets for?  Utility or breeder quality?   Thanks for your input!

Ginny

Utility hens $10 a piece, show breeding pairs depends on how close to sop $25-100 a piece. Chicks $5

 

[Pathfinders]

Utility hens $10 a piece, show breeding pairs depends on how close to sop $25-100 a piece. Chicks $5

Those are my figures too, except when I sell chicks they work out to $6 each, because I wrap the shipping in with the price. I charge $150 per 2 (actually 26, I always include an extra) chicks with everything included.

And I have learned (the hard way) I don't ever sell cull roosters. Utility hens are sold with no males...