The Buckeye Thread

[CanadianBuckeye]

Shellz if you are not keeping any roosters and you won't be breeding them I had better re think your offer! I'll make space!

 

[Shellz]

I'll let you know how this hatch plays out. Don't overwhelm yourself though. I've had too many birds, once upon a time & it took a lot of the fun out of it for me. Just my experience.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Good advice Shellz, I definitely have to remember that! but, please keep me posted. Good luck with the hatch!

 

[Shellz]

Alrighty then! Thanks!

 

[Metella]

Oh - here they are at around 24 hours old .....

 

[vttrissy]

Hi All-
I'm new to chickens and was given a pair of young buckeyes. They're about 16 weeks right now. So far, the cockerel has been really nice. When will he grow spurs? What is the general personality of the Buckeye rooster? Thanks!

 

[Minniechickmama]

IF you look up the history of the breed, you can learn more about what a Buckeye SHOULD be. They should be docile. I have had hundreds of Buckeye roosters and I have never been attacked. The hens are generally unafraid, but I don't handle mine as pets, they are easy for me to catch. With handling, they are even friendlier.
Spurs you won't see until after a year old on most of them. I also have some hens that will grow spurs, though not the size of a roosters. My 2-1/2 year old cock has them about 1-1/2 to 2" long. Before they are put on pasture, I plan to pop all the roosters long spurs off since I know I will see some fighting over who is in charge of the yard and some over aggressive breeding of hens over that fact. it is an easy thing to remove the spurs, although it is not truly removing the whole spur, but the outer, hard casing of the spur. It reduces the size and can take down the sharpness but there is still something there. I find each bird can be different on how much is left when you take off the nail portion.

I love my Buckeyes and they are my favorite chicken breed. They are just the perfect dual purpose breed with great personalities/temperament. I will say, you will find differences in lines as to just how big, and what color they are depending on what each breeder deems most important about them to produce from them

Good luck and welcome the world of Buckeyes!

 

[goodb]

Although I have had success incubating, I prefer to have the girls do it. So far, they have hatched 14 with 4 more in another day or two. 2 broodies in various stages and another just got eggs tonight. All but one are Buckeye hens I got from Theri last season. That is, 5 out of 7 Buckeyes have gone broody for me this season.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Although I have had success incubating, I prefer to have the girls do it. So far, they have hatched 14 with 4 more in another day or two. 2 broodies in various stages and another just got eggs tonight. All but one are Buckeye hens I got from Theri last season. That is, 5 out of 7 Buckeyes have gone broody for me this season.

You would think I bred back some Cochin into that batch you got, Bryan! LOL! Mine rarely go broody here, and when they do, a couple days of pulling them off the nest and they are back to running with the rest of the crowd. I think it is the TLC you give them.
I am shutting down here for hatching. If I do any more, it will be Cornish and a few Silkies. This AI stuff has shut me down a little earlier since I am not able to ship chicks now. It has been a crazy year here, and now battling a weasel that doesn't seem to be attracted to my traps. If nothing is them tonight, I may use some live bait to lure them in, but we will see what tomorrow morning looks like.

 

[AKfishchic]

Hello all! I have a buckeye cross that I'm trying to figure out its gender. Thought it was a pullet but now not so sure because of red comb. It's 8 weeks old. Super sweet bird, always wants to be pet! Input welcome!