Raising Chicks; The Buckeye
- May 21, 2011
- Category: Farm Style
- (10) Comments
The incubator is up and running and 40 eggs are tucked inside it. So far, the temperature and the humidity are correct and I’m hopeful at least some of the eggs will hatch.
Carmen asked if my birds miss the eggs I took. The answer is no. Although I have one turkey and one chicken dedicated to hatching their eggs, the other birds just aren’t interested in nesting. I’ve learned that often happens in young birds and next spring, perhaps they will be more interested. I took fresh, fertile eggs from them but there are still dozens of eggs in my hay pile and from time to time, they sit on them.
Last summer was my first experience with birds of any kind and I was definitely a novice. I got carried away by pictures in beautiful catalogs and placed an order based on what appealed to me without knowing anything about the birds. I was very fortunate I ended up with the birds I did. Since then, I’ve learned so much more about how to select breeds best suited to a particular living environment and climate.
I have more chicks arriving soon. Yes, I’ve discovered we can use all the eggs they produce whether it’s for us, for our dogs or for our friends and neighbors and I have enjoyed my experience with my feathered friends. But, this year things are different. I researched the breeds to make sure they are a proper fit with our farm. I thought you might be interested in learning more about them.
The first breed I’m adding are Buckeyes. I love this breed for a variety of reasons. Buckeyes, just like the Narragansett turkeys, used to populate farms in the past but are now on the critically endangered list. The breed was developed by Nettie Warren of Ohio in the late 1800s. Not only are Buckeyes an American breed but they are also the only breed to be developed by a woman.
Buckeyes are especially cold hardy. They are lively chickens and are best suited for a free range life where they are active mousers. Some Buckeye breeders have declared Buckeyes as able mousers as cats. They are also friendly chickens and have little fear of humans. The roosters, in addition to being non-aggressive to humans, can emit a range of vocal sounds including one that sounds like a dinosaur. (Now, I’m not sure how they know that because I don’t think anyone has ever actually heard a dinosaur.)
Buckeyes are also a “dual purpose” bird meaning they can be used as meat birds or egg layers. (We have no plans to eat them.) They fell out of favor with fewer than 500 breeding birds left because their plain brown coloring did not lend themselves to be exhibition birds of choice. Nor were they popular with factory farms because they are best suited for free ranging conditions as opposed to being caged. With the resurgence of small family farms, Buckeyes are once again gaining in popularity although they are still critically endangered.
Red Pine Mountain Farm (okay, me) will be welcoming 10 Buckeye babies next week. I’ll post pictures of them then.
I hope you enjoy this journey we are going to take through different breeds of chickens I’m adding. There is amazing history in the animals around us. We just have to take the time to get to know them.
Source for my info: The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. If you want to learn more about them and other endangered American breeds, please visit their website.
And if you have stories you’d like to share about your chickens, please feel free to email me.
That’s really, really interesting. I can’t wait to see your new chick babies…those coming via incubator and those coming parcel post
Buckeyes have a really interesting history, especially the fact that it was the only breed to be developed by a woman. Very interesting. Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 
Date: May 21, 2011
Oh, I like to learn about such things. I know NOTHING about chickens. The only chicken I’ve got here ran in through the cat door because the Jehovah’s Witnesses were walking the neighborhood ringing doorbells. They are very scary, you know.
More chicken photos, please!
Date: May 21, 2011
How exciting for you! Can’t wait to see what hatches for you. :O)
Date: May 21, 2011
This is so interesting. I’m learning a lot. I didn’t know some wouldn’t be interested in sitting on their eggs or that some chickens are good for meat. Wow.
Date: May 21, 2011
This was so interesting to learn about the Buckeyes. Sounds like a perfect fit for you farm! We saw some really tiny ducklings on our walk through the woods at the park yesterday. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my camera along. I really must from now on.
Date: May 22, 2011
I will so much enjoy reading about them knowing that they get to live!
Date: May 22, 2011
Sara, so life once more begins on Red Pine Mountain Farm. With the potential of 50 plus additional chickens added to the flock, will Carl have to build an addition to the coop? What exciting adventures will these young chics bring to the farm?
Have a great chicken hactching day.
Date: May 22, 2011
Wooo! I’ll have to remember that when we build our new house in a few years. I’d love to have a couple of chickens roaming around and these sound great!
Best of luck with your new chickies, hope everything goes well
Date: May 22, 2011
I , truly, am enjoying “Cackles from the Coop” since I am pretty clueless about fowl of any kind. I did spend about six months on my aunt and uncle’s farm in Smith Station, Alabama as a child and we had many chickens and seven VERY MEAN white roosters there. Those roosters would chase my brother and I every time we were sent to gather eggs and, sadly, a few eggs landed in our famous red clay as we ran like crazy to escape being pecked. Over one summer, we had the roosters for Sunday dinner and I recall that no amount of stewing ever made them tender!
The interesting thing was that my mother worked for a general practitioner who had a quail and pheasant farm. Those were interesting birds and we were often given those for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Also, we had quail egg omelets from time to time! It took dozens of eggs to feed me and my brother.
It is wonderful that you are really taking the time to learn about the best type of chickens for your climate and I applaud you for choosing the Buckeyes.
You don’t ever have a problem with any kind of critters stalking your chickens? I imagine the dogs would bark like crazy if anything came around. What kind of wildlife do you have in your area?
Date: May 23, 2011
I LOVE chickens! They are great entertainment! We have had them for years. We have been going back to the basics and this past year we decided to try our hand at home butchering our chickens. It was very difficult for me and of course I shed a few tears. I have been practicing on cooking our chickens. I have tried cooking in a crock pot, it worked out ok but the dark meat was a little tough. I tried roasting in the oven, it was ok, just took all day! Of course it was still cold out side. My favorite so far has been boiling in the stock pot as you would for chicken stew or soup. This make the meat come out very tender and flavor filled! We are going to add more to the freezer in the fall now that I have figured out how to cook them! It is so reassuring to know what is in the food that we eat! By producing our own we KNOW that there are no hormones in the food we are eating! Good luck with your baby peeps!
Date: May 28, 2011