The Buckeye Chicken Breed

[macmex]

I thought I'd start a thread on this, since Woodeye and I started chatting about the breed of chicken I maintain.I can add more to this later. I'll just start by saying that we love this breed for a couple of reasons:

1) It's large and makes an excellent eating bird.

2) It's docile. Never have had a rooster offer to attack.

3) They're industrious. In spite of their large size, Buckeyes are constantly looking for seeds, insects and small "critters" to eat. "Critters," that's right. I've seen them hunt and eat mice and am positive they'd eat small snakes and lizards.

4) Buckeye's are phenomenal mothers and good for hatching eggs. I've even used them to hatch Muscovy ducklings.

This is a 2020 photo of my "rooster pen," which is a nice term for the place I keep those destined for the freezer.

It is my custom to hatch out a fair number of chicks every spring. I sell some via Craigslist and we keep a fair number. The extra cockerels are prized for the wonderful roast chicken they make.

I do have to admit, though, that even an old hen, who is hardly laying anymore, makes a succulent meal if cooked correctly.

[woodeye]

Beautiful birds, macmex. The information you have provided is very valuable for someone interested in a flock of Buckeyes. If I was asked to name the one thing that I miss most about having a flock of chickens it would be that I miss watching a mother hen and her babies interact. It's a wonderful sight to behold...