My daughter started keeping bantam chickens for 4-H, and I was interested in adding some standard sized chickens to our menagerie that could free range and help in the garden. I was attracted to Buckeyes because they seemed tailor-made for free ranging, and given that they were on the critically endangered list at the time, it seemed like perhaps we could do a little to help preserve the breed. My daughter's club had ordered from Duane Urch before, so I knew where I could get some. I had also considered Javas. At the time, the one disadvantage in my mind was the brown-red color. So boring, I thought.
I was totally wrong about the color. In photographs, they're kind of flat and dull, but in person they are really quite striking in the sun and in the shade.
The other thing I've come to appreciate about the color is that because it is relatively stable genetically (compared to say the lacing on a Wyandotte), the breed seems focused on and designed to be useful, functional birds. And the people who love Buckeyes seem to be practical and interesting people - I've quite enjoyed the discussions on this BB and the community it creates.
Of all the breeds we now keep, the Buckeyes are by far my favorite. I was won over early by my favorite hen, which I named River, who was always in my way whenever I had to do repairs or maintenance. "Whatcha doin?" was the constant vibe I had from her. I've noticed that we humans tend to mistake interest in us for intelligence. I can't say that they're more intelligent than the other chickens - but they are certainly the most personable and the most curious in things I'm interested in.
We don't get extreme cold, but it can get quite hot here in summer, topping 100 with some frequency. Fortunately, we usually have cool nights. We put out a pan of water so they can cool their feet off. They have done okay in the heat. For the last week, we've had truly crazy weather - high 72, low 19, high 70, low 20. They don't seem to mind.
Someone asked about egg laying. Unless you're free ranging your birds, I don't think they'd be my choice for a profitable egg-laying business, but they do okay. We've had very good hatch rates and the babies always seem strong and sturdy. They are the most reliable and least fussy of the breeds we keep. This year they were laying until the end of November. (We don't have lights and they are in a north-facing coop.)
One of the considerations that isn't usually mentioned about free-ranging birds is that it's really important that the roosters be friendly if they can just come up to people whenever they want. All of ours have been. This is good, because the Buckeyes actively seek out people - any time I go out, they come running towards me. It's pretty cute, actually.
They're great all-purpose birds and the longer we have them, the more I like and appreciate them. My daughter has come to appreciate them, so when she was old enough, she took them over. But when she ages out, I'll definitely be keeping them.
I was totally wrong about the color. In photographs, they're kind of flat and dull, but in person they are really quite striking in the sun and in the shade.
The other thing I've come to appreciate about the color is that because it is relatively stable genetically (compared to say the lacing on a Wyandotte), the breed seems focused on and designed to be useful, functional birds. And the people who love Buckeyes seem to be practical and interesting people - I've quite enjoyed the discussions on this BB and the community it creates.
Of all the breeds we now keep, the Buckeyes are by far my favorite. I was won over early by my favorite hen, which I named River, who was always in my way whenever I had to do repairs or maintenance. "Whatcha doin?" was the constant vibe I had from her. I've noticed that we humans tend to mistake interest in us for intelligence. I can't say that they're more intelligent than the other chickens - but they are certainly the most personable and the most curious in things I'm interested in.
We don't get extreme cold, but it can get quite hot here in summer, topping 100 with some frequency. Fortunately, we usually have cool nights. We put out a pan of water so they can cool their feet off. They have done okay in the heat. For the last week, we've had truly crazy weather - high 72, low 19, high 70, low 20. They don't seem to mind.
Someone asked about egg laying. Unless you're free ranging your birds, I don't think they'd be my choice for a profitable egg-laying business, but they do okay. We've had very good hatch rates and the babies always seem strong and sturdy. They are the most reliable and least fussy of the breeds we keep. This year they were laying until the end of November. (We don't have lights and they are in a north-facing coop.)
One of the considerations that isn't usually mentioned about free-ranging birds is that it's really important that the roosters be friendly if they can just come up to people whenever they want. All of ours have been. This is good, because the Buckeyes actively seek out people - any time I go out, they come running towards me. It's pretty cute, actually.
They're great all-purpose birds and the longer we have them, the more I like and appreciate them. My daughter has come to appreciate them, so when she was old enough, she took them over. But when she ages out, I'll definitely be keeping them.
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