I don't mean they aren't flashy--I absolutely ADORE my rooster--he looks like he's been polished--his sheen is phenomenal. He's gorgeous, except for that frigging white in his sickle. I'm not going to get rid of them--I couldn't. But I don't have the best stock, and all I've had with them was trouble--broody hens and an aggressive male who tries to kill everything that isn't superior to him in the flock. He reminds me a great deal of a Cornish in attitude and looks--in fact one of the wives even had lacing.
CanadianBuckeye and I got our birds from the same breeder, and they have problems with type and color, and cushion and size...she's no longer breeding them.
Just putting in a good word for the Cornish, my dark Cornish are sweethearts and my Buckeye/Cornish cross are spectactular. The roosters are well behaved, so far! In fact, except for the slightly pinched tails and lacing, my Buckeye/Cornish cross hens look pretty good when compared to the Buckeye standard! And, no cushions.......
I've been discovering that the line is just as important as the breed when it comes to temperament. I remove any aggressive individuals- no mercy. Last thing I want is to only be able to admire my birds from a distance!
I double checked my Standard, I think that the entire feather has to be entirely white and visible to be a disqualification- although I'm sure it would be better if he didn't have any white at all, your rooster still might be worth breeding if he has other good qualities?
I think it's an unfortunate cross that got into that line of Buckeyes. In Alberta, there's a serious Buckeye Breeder who actually ended up with an excellent male from that very same source!
It's unfortunate that the original line isn't being bred, now there are even fewer dedicated Buckeye breeders in Canada than before.
I've done some thinking, once my cockerel reaches 6 months I'll post some pics along with some of the pullets, and hopefully get some opinions on their quality- one thing for absolute certainty, I can't un- cull so better safe than sorry.