Buckeye Chickens Carry Unique History

Buckeye Chickens Carry Unique History The buckeye chicken is a cold-hardy, dual-purpose breed with a distinctive history—it’s the only American chicken developed by a woman. Although the breed was nearly lost, its value is being rediscovered. Nettie Metcalf of Warren, Ohio, developed Buckeyes in 1879 while seeking outside income as a farmer’s wife. She was dissatisfied with the brown leghorns on the family farm and tried many other breeds without success. In frustration, she began crossing breeds to create a bird that met her requirements: a lively chicken, good for eating, an excellent forager, and a decent year-round egg producer. The birds also needed to survive Ohio’s temperature extremes in both summer and winter. She initially crossed Barred Plymouth Rocks with Buff Cochins, producing chickens that, in her words, were “lazy, but good eating.” The next step was to add Black-Breasted Red Game birds. This iteration produced one red-feathered chicken, along with chickens with pea combs, yellow legs, and a Cornish body shape. She continued breeding the red-feathered chickens, fine-tuning the genetics with each generation. Her original roosters were aggressive and required years of careful breeding to eliminate their fighting instincts. Eventually, Metcalf developed a red-feathered bird that met her meat, egg and foraging needs. Its name is an homage to Ohio and a nod to its coloring, which resembled a ripe buckeye. By her description, the birds were “large and vigorous” and the best layers she’d ever owned. Better yet, the new breed thrived in harsh conditions, making it ideal for Midwest backyards and homesteads. Metcalf submitted the birds for admission to the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 1902. They remained popular for the next five decades, thanks to their hardiness, productivity, foraging ability and inquisitiveness. However, the breed was left behind as commercial breeding operations moved indoors and backyard flocks declined in popularity. By 2003, the breed was considered critically endangered, with lax breeding standards and fewer than 72 known breeding pairs remaining in the country. The story began to change in 2005, when the Livestock Conservancy formed the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy and launched a program to restore the Buckeye’s original characteristics. Today, the breed recovery project is considered a success. Not only has the population rebounded, but breeding standards have met Metcalf’s initial goals. In 2011, the breed was upgraded from critical to threatened status. Today, estimates indicate that there are more than 5,000 Buckeyes in the U.S. Today, Buckeyes are praised for their gentle dispositions and wide range of vocalizations. They’re a dual-purpose chicken with deep mahogany plumage and the only American breed with a pea comb. They’re also known for their short, broad, slanting backs; meaty thighs; and powerful wings and breast, which make them notably cold-tolerant. They have yellow legs and skin. Buckeye chicks are born brown. Hens have a dark spot on their heads and dorsal stripes along their backs, while males have a white or cream-colored spot on each upper wing. The chicks grow quickly, so they benefit from a high-protein diet for the first two months. A game bird or turkey starter feed might work best. Although the birds take up to 16 weeks to reach butcher weight, they offer flavorful, nutty meat that’s delicious when slow-cooked or brined. Full-grown roosters weigh in at 9 lbs., while the hens are a small 6.5 lbs. Likewise, their game-bird origins ensure they’re excellent foragers and thrive in free-range conditions. Naturally active and friendly, Buckeyes tend to run toward people rather than away. Expect a hen to lay 200 medium-sized brown eggs per year, with a tendency to go broody. Those interested in learning more can reach out to the American Buckeye Poultry Club on Facebook. This vibrant online community is working to raise awareness of this unique poultry breed. “As an anchor breeder for the past 20-odd years, Buckeyes are among the most active American fowl,” says Michael Sullivan, Facebook group admin. “They’re excellent foragers and can hustle for a large portion of their food given the opportunity. The birds are engaging, beautiful, tolerant of confinement, and not prone to bumble, as some other breeds may be.” The group offers proof that the birds still thrive in their home state, even a century and a half after their development. “Modern Buckeyes handle our Northwest Ohio winters with elegance and energy,” says group member Janis Montgomery. “I believe Nettie Metcalf would approve of what breeders are doing with her visions.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, American Buckeye Poultry Club (www.americanbuckeyepoultryclub.com; Facebook: American Buckeye Poultry Club).

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