The Buckeye Thread

[Marengoite]

Not to change topic but.... I have had some discussion in another type of social media on this subject and well let's just say it did ruffle some feathers and there are people who think what I'm saying is wrong. Open for discussion

Ok this question my ruffle some feathers. Oh well...

Lately I have been seeing a lot of posts around the internet on people still breeding and hatching eggs. I have a real problem with this as this is the time of year that the birds are going thru a lot of changes with molt and getting ready for the harsh winters. Fall moving into winter is the time of year to most and I mean most breeders let their birds rest and have some time to add on poundage from the long breeding season of spring and late summer. Most hens are so exhausted that they need this time of year to recoup. Breeding and rasing chicks in the dead of winter in most parts of the states is not a good idea. It's bad enough trying to deal with the winter and taking care of birds let a lone chicks. Again this is my opinion not everyone may agree with this and frankly I would expect that.

Our county fair is in September. If kids want to show in Fancy Poultry or laying hens, they can't wait until spring to buy birds. Most of the birds that showed as pullets and cockerels were hatching September or October. But like Blueface said, different strokes for different folks. Since I'm not raising chickens for show, I hatch out in the spring.

 

[JoshU]

Our county fair is in September. If kids want to show in Fancy Poultry or laying hens, they can't wait until spring to buy birds. Most of the birds that showed as pullets and cockerels were hatching September or October. But like Blueface said, different strokes for different folks. Since I'm not raising chickens for show, I hatch out in the spring.

I also hatch out in the spring. I hatched some chicks last winter and my basement was a wreck by the time I could get them outside. I have enough chores to do in winter as it is without worrying about keeping babies alive. But I also don't care how others do their hatching as long as they are not careless and putting featherless birds out in the blistering weather.

 

[Marengoite]

well, since stubs are a DQ and the other things are not seems they are a little more important to eradicate than a little extra fluff. Heck one line is continuing to throw single combs after 10 yrs and now wry back. A little extra fluff doesn't seem so bad to me compared to that. I've seen progress made in the back fluff on females in Buckeyes the last several years, it's getting better. I'm more worried about all the folks adding Dark Cornish into their lines to get bigger heads, thicker beaks and heavier meat qualities instead of being patient and doing selective culling.

News to me. Who's adding DC to their Buckeye lines to get bigger heads?

I know some folks who have hybrid Buckeye x DC's that they are using for meat birds, but they aren't trying to pass them off as Buckeyes. For that matter, I crossed a Buckeye roo over my Barred rocks and got some nice sex-linked chicks. But they're pretty easy to tell they aren't Buckeyes. The pullets were black with red neck feathers and boys were barred when they feathered out.

 

[Blueface]

I also hatch out in the spring.  I hatched some chicks last winter and my basement was a wreck by the time I could get them outside.  I have enough chores to do in winter as it is without worrying about keeping babies alive.  But I also don't care how others do their hatching as long as they are not careless and putting featherless birds out in the blistering weather. 

Hey Josh;
Good to have you back brother! How have you been? Looking forward to reading your contributions! Good luck raising biddies this year!

 

[007medic]

Marengoite,

Please take some pix of that cross! I'd love to see what the barring turned out like, and they really sound like attractive birds. I bet those crossed boys dressed out an awesome carcass. How quick did those boys get to slaughter weight?

 

[JoshU]

It's good to be back, Joe. It's been a long year here. But the buckeyes keep me smiling. They are coming along nicely. I am more excited about next year than ever before. I'm ready for spring and it's just starting to get cold here.

 

[Marengoite]

Marengoite,

Please take some pix of that cross! I'd love to see what the barring turned out like, and they really sound like attractive birds. I bet those crossed boys dressed out an awesome carcass. How quick did those boys get to slaughter weight?

Actually, they were surprisingly light compared to a Buckeye of comparable age. They are puffy like a Barred rock. They look like pea combed barred rocks with dark green barred tail feathers and a few flecks of red in the wing bow. I only kept one to breed over some Buckeye hens next year to see if I can get some red barred males and sex link pullets. I'm shooting for a pea combed version of the Rhodebar if it works out. I am thinking of starting the experiment over, though, if I like the way the next generation of chicks looks. The Barred rocks I started with were hatchery birds that tend to win in production at the fair every year. However, they don't have the heavy-bodied type of the heritage BRs. I'm tempted to order some Good Shepherd chicks or maybe locate a local heritage flock and get some cockerels.

Also, my phone is no longer talking to my computer, so it's not uploading pics very well. I'll see if I can get Google to handle it and get some posted.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I am not afraid to say that I crossed Buckeyes with Dark Cornish two years ago. My intentions at that time were not to add the DC blood to the Bucks, but to see how they measured up for meat use. It turns out, they work extremely well. The F1 generation actually throws about 5% single combs, and most of that generation comes out looking like Buckeyes but a little leggy. It is kind of crazy since both Bucks and DC are on the shorter leg spectrum, but crazy stuff happens when you cross.
Then, you know what happened? I discovered that DCs were used in the making of the Buckeye. So, I have a handful of pullets who are the F1s that got bred back to pure Buckeye. Why would I do this, you might ask? Because I have had some issues with my line of Bucks that I needed to get rid of that I think bringing some new blood in would help with. Since the DCs are a parent breed, it is more of an infusion of an old blood, I believe. Do I sell those birds as pure Buckeyes? Nope. I do sell them, but I am up-front about what they are and explain this to people. However, most people getting birds from me are looking for a variety for a laying flock and don't care.
If the DCs help with the head size on this strain, GREAT! Not that I see my birds in dire need of it, they have good head width.
If it helps with body depth, GREAT! Again, not something I need, but if it helps a little...
If it helps in giving them a more upright stance than I have now, GREAT! That, is something I might need a little more help with.
If it helps in leg color, GREAT! Mine are good, but the crosses are better.
If it helps my Buckeyes be better Buckeyes, well, I think you all can see the pattern here.

To be quite frank, for those who go to shows and think that every bird in that show is of pure blood, you are fooling yourself. I have been talking to enough folks lately about what goes into making good specimens of various breeds to know that it is not UNcommon for breeders to bring in other breeds to boost the characteristics of what they want their line to achieve. You can breed pure for years, and if that is what makes your clock tick, that is fine and all the power to you. But I don't think judgement can be passed on those of us who are using a little more creative approach to getting where we want to be. Yes, in the show arena, this is called breeding ringers - birds that look like the breed they are shown as but are not pure. Perhaps that could be discussed on a thread somewhere about what is ethical in the show? I think I saw a thread somewhere recently about that stuff.

 

[Blueface]

News to me. Who's adding DC to their Buckeye lines to get bigger heads?

That is intriguing; I knew of one guy here in Ohio several years ago that attempted that but the whole thing imploded on him. I too would be interested in finding out who and the result of such crosses. He mentioned the resulting culls sure tasted good.

 

[Blueface]

I am not afraid to say that I crossed Buckeyes with Dark Cornish.....

You rebel

.......most of that generation comes out looking like Buckeyes but a little leggy.  It is kind of crazy since both Bucks and DC are on the shorter leg spectrum, but crazy stuff happens when you cross.

That result is not all that uncommon; it is generally a result of a hybrid cross.

......So, I have a handful of pullets who are the F1s that got bred back to pure Buckeye. Why would I do this, you might ask?  

because you have the ability to think outside the box with confidence! Not many people can admit to that. Good for you!

.......To be quite frank, for those who go to shows and think that every bird in that show is of pure blood, you are fooling yourself.  

interesting; I've noticed that in multiple breeds!

........You can breed pure for years, and if that is what makes your clock tick, that is fine and all the power to you.  But I don't think judgement can be passed on those of us who are using a little more creative approach to getting where we want to be.  


You go girl! To each their own with what they choose to breed and how they choose to do it!

.....Yes, in the show arena, this is called breeding ringers - birds that look like the breed they are shown as but are not pure.   Perhaps that could be discussed on a thread somewhere about what is ethical in the show?  I think I saw a thread somewhere recently about that stuff.

the buckeyes are a composite breed anyway?!? Those that usually complain about outcrossing are just jealous because they didn't think of it first or can't think outside of the box.

It is an interesting idea and explanation. Thanks for sharing