The Buckeye Thread

[Blueface]

Personally, any buckeye that lacks undercolor should never belong on champion row..... That's the difference in ideology between a breeder accomplishing the true breed description and others that simply settle.

 

[sumi]

I have heard the debate on the correct colour for Buckeyes and I have seen many shades and interpretations of "mahogany bay". I think Buckeye breeders, if in doubt as to exactly what they should breed for, should go back to what the creator of the breed stipulated and use her words as a guide:

"As for color—well, my own are so dark a red that at a little distance in the shadow they look fairly black, but when the sun strikes them and brings out that rich, garnish luster…with the very darkest of red plumage, hens containing some black not being objectionable to me as long as the males kept that dark red shade I admire.”

As for under colour, again, the creator of the breed stipulated that they should have under colour:

"My reason told me that all wild birds of brilliant plumage had slate, or leaden blue, undercolor, and I felt sure that this dark pigment was necessary in order to retain the dark plumage in the offspring."

Personally I always found the darker coloured Buckeyes much more attractive than the orangey and splotchy ones out there and I'm happy to see more of them out there in breeding programmes and the show rings.

 

[Blueface]

Nice input Sumi, yes....the "debate"....there really shouldn't be a debate at all. Nettie's description and vision is quite clear IMHO. The good news is that there are many judges that I've spoken with that say my buckeyes can even be a bit darker, so at least there is a solid basis of knowledge about the breed currently out there. The classic type vs color debate has a fairly easy resolution...breed for both.....simple answer but not quite as easy compared to putting pen to paper.

 

[sumi]

I agree with you, Joe. If the writings are there, then why is there a "debate"? (You don't have to answer that

)

I am glad the judges are getting to see good, dark examples of the breed and I'm hoping to see more of these beautiful birds on Champion row this year.

 

[joecarrr]

I just thought I'd chime in here and introduce myself and my 6 little Buckeyes.
We just bought a place with some land and wanted a heritage breed that would forage well and give us eggs and meat. Buckeyes seemed to be the best at all the things we wanted. The lady I got these from said she got her breeding birds from a woman named pathfinder on here. I think I may have 1 rooster out of the bunch but I'm not sure. The one in the pic below is the only one showing any red on his comb right now. They are 7 weeks old. I'm hoping to have 1 or 2 roosters so they will breed and give us more birds for meat. Should I get a rooster from different parents or is it ok to breed brothers and sisters if they are just going to be for meat?

 

[Blueface]

Welcome to the thread Joe....buckeyes are a great breed! Good luck with them.

 

[sumi]

Many people, myself included, have crossed full and half siblings with no ill effects. It's not ideal, but if you are only reproducing for meat you should be o.k. Wait until the chicks are a few weeks older and post some more pics, then we'll able to give you a guess on gender.

 

[joecarrr]

Thank you.

 

[BuckeyesinNC]

wanted to wait til 8 weeks to put my ladies out into their coop but they are fully feathered and lows only to reach 40 this week so today we put them out. They are at 6 weeks and active. Hoping all goes well.

 

[Metella]

Pathfinder has great birds. She is mostly active in other spots on the net now. She started one of the national Buckeye associations - I forget which one.

I also am getting some Buckeyes from someone who started from her lines.

Happy Chick Day