The Buckeye Thread

[Buckeye Amy]

A breeder told me that size comes from the hens, not the roosters, so pick your largest girls.

Yes, I weigh my chicks up to one month, then again at 20 weeks to evaluate their size. I also factor in other important things before making breeding selection. I’ve been lucky in that I’ve got several that made the cut.

 

[NightingaleJen]

Buckeyes are my favorite breed. I am in the beginning stage of a breeding program. My goal is to help preserve the breed. I will be ordering chicks from Hidden Creek Farm to add to my existing flock in March

Looking forward to seeing how your program develops!

 

[MamaRaych]

Ummm, I got a few barnyard chicks and this is one of them. Do you think Buckeye?

 

[The Farmers' Daughter]

Ummm, I got a few barnyard chicks and this is one of them. Do you think Buckeye?

She could possibly be a pet quality buckeye. I'm not sure about the comb though.

 

[Hermits Garden]

Matella,

When you are ready in the spring for eggs, I would suggest you find a breeder as close to your geographical location as is possible. I have a couple of (I think) good reasons for this rule of thumb.

First, if the breeder is actually within reasonable driving distance and will permit you to pick up, you can be absolutely sure the eggs are handled with care. One sure-fire way to put the kabash on any egg's hatching is to shake or jar it unnecessarily. If you can't avoid receiving shipped eggs, ask about how the eggs are packed for shipping. Google the 'box-within-a-box' method of shipping and request it or a similar method if necessary (be ready to pay extra for sound shipping). Remember, the less opportunity for mistreatment of the eggs, the better the chances are they'll hatch.

One issue I'm discovering is how the hatch rate lowers greatly if shipping from high elevation to low elevation and visa-versa. As we're at 7130 ft elevation, and most of the eggs available to us are from much lower, I'd be wasting a good deal of money. So I have to have chicks. Maybe, if I can develop a good group of birds, I can share hatching eggs to my mountain area folks.

 

[Hermits Garden]

Buckeyes are my favorite breed. I am in the beginning stage of a breeding program. My goal is to help preserve the breed. I will be ordering chicks from Hidden Creek Farm to add to my existing flock in March.

I have a small group of 18 week old pullets. I find them so entertaining! They are such a nice breed: friendly, active and sociable.

Here's Butternut trying to figure out how to get to my ice cubes!

View attachment 2302273

She's also a pig!

View attachment 2302276

Willow is very curious!

View attachment 2302278

View attachment 2302279

View attachment 2302280

Amy, I am ordering from Hidden Creek this spring to begin my starter flock. Where did you get your original birds? They seem like such characters. Good luck with your program!

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Amy, I am ordering from Hidden Creek this spring to begin my starter flock. Where did you get your original birds? They seem like such characters. Good luck with your program!

I got mine from Meyer. And I have to say, they really are very good quality for "hatchery" birds. I think I'm going to work with them and see if I can create my own strain. The cockerel I have is just outstanding and so full of potential.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I'm looking for Buckeye photos for a BYC article breed quiz. You would get credit. Is anybody interested in sharing a couple?

 

[Justso]

You're welcome to see if any of mine will work. How do you want them sent?

 

[wild chick]

I'm looking for Buckeye photos for a BYC article breed quiz. You would get credit. Is anybody interested in sharing a couple?

I have a photo of mine on page 480 of this thread, you are welcome to use it.