The Buckeye Thread

[CanadianBuckeye]

Our hatchery Buckeyes don't lay large eggs, they simply do not. Can't speak to the SOP birds. Only from what I hear, they might lay larger eggs but less often...again only based on hearsay.

I'm focusing in improving egg production in my flock, it has been done by others with SOP birds, I think it will take me quite a long time- it's a bucket list project! I'm a bit surprised though that the hatchery Buckeyes don't lay eggs like crazy- from what I've learned from others, egg laying at least is usually a strength in the hatchery bred breeds. Strange!

 

[hellbender]

I'm focusing in improving egg production in my flock, it has been done by others with SOP birds, I think it will take me quite a long time- it's a bucket list project! I'm a bit surprised though that the hatchery Buckeyes don't lay eggs like crazy- from what I've learned from others, egg laying at least is usually a strength in the hatchery bred breeds. Strange!

The hatchery Buckeye pullets/hens do lay very well, just not especially large eggs.

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

The hatchery Buckeye pullets/hens do lay very well, just not especially large eggs.

Have you found that their eggs are very pale? Almost white? I just got some hatching eggs in, some were hatchery, some not, but all were more like tinted eggs than brown.

 

[hellbender]

Have you found that their eggs are very pale? Almost white? I just got some hatching eggs in, some were hatchery, some not, but all were more like tinted eggs than brown.

The eggs are not dark brown but there is no confusion...they could be described as dark tan but NOT white and I don't recall any tinted eggs.

Jason

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

I'll post photos of my Buckeye hatching eggs when I download them from my phone.
Obviously then there are differences between the hatcheries in their stock. Maybe all hatchery Buckeyes should not be lumped together?

 

[Minniechickmama]

Just a quick interjection since my time right now is scant for doing all but what I must, but I am having some much needed coffee....

I have done the Buckeye/Cornish cross, and they do produce a very nice, meat bird. They will still take 5-6 months to get a good roasting size, but I really liked the outcomes. I haven't done it in a few years and the Buckeyes I have now would likely make an even better hybrid with Cornish. That little experiment was using hatchery type Cornish hens. Now, I have Cornish that are WAY better for SOP type than those were. I am toying with the idea of trying again, but not this year.

 

[eagrbeavr]

Do buckeyes have laced feathers?

 

[CanadianBuckeye]

Buckeyes should have a nice, even dark red colour, the only visible black should be in the tail. But when crossed with Dark Cornish, which is a double laced bird, the offspring should end up dark red with single lacing. The lacing will most likely not be a very good even lacing like you'd see in a Wyandotte, since this is a first generation cross and the offspring will only have one copy of the lacing Pg gene.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Do buckeyes have laced feathers?

The tail feathers are sometimes iridescent black with an edging of mahogany bay(red), otherwise, no, no lacing.

 

[eagrbeavr]

Ok thanks. I have two hatchery chicks in their fourth week. Both have lacing so I was wondering how good of specimens they were.