Find Garden Supplies Here:
Find Almost Anything Else Here:
|
 A new little flock (26) of baby Buckeye chicks arrived at Bramblestone Farm this weekend – they’re about two weeks old and just starting to feather a bit, so are just about at maximum cuteness.
These Buckeye chicks come from Crains Run Ranch, and were bred by Mr. Jeff Lay. In 2002, Mr. Lay began breeding Buckeyes for improved egg production, and today the “Lay” strain of Buckeyes are known for their excellent egg production. They were developed from Buckeyes from the Brown (OH), Rhodes (MA), Pierce (RI), and Urch (MN) flocks.
Our previous Buckeyes were from the American [...]
Continue reading Baby Buckeyes Are Here!
 At Bramblestone Farm, we keep both Golden Buff and Buckeye chickens; but, people often ask why we bother with Buckeyes – they don’t lay as large an egg or as frequently as the Golden Buffs, so why do we keep them?
Well, Buckeye chickens are an old breed developed to thrive in Ohio’s weather; and were once very popular backyard birds. However, with the demise of the backyard flock during the 20th century, Buckeyes became endangered (less than 72 known breeding birds in 2003). Then in 2005, the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) began a program to recover the breed’s original characteristics [...]
Continue reading About Buckeye Chickens
 Besides having nearly perfect weather every day, Kauai has wild chickens. The chickens escaped during the last hurricane, and established a large wild population – they’re literally everywhere.
The way it was explained to us, after they escaped, no one had the heart to “clean them up”. So, today you can see families of chickens (rooster, hen, and peeps) all over the island. They’re along the road, on the beach, and at the resorts.
The chickens were one of the things we loved about Kauai, they’re very colorful and interesting to watch, we felt right at home. Our [...]
Continue reading Kauai Wild Chickens
 The two Buckeye hens that went broody this summer both successfully hatched three chicks; and today we have five chicks left that are growing up amongst the flock. All of the chicks that hatched seem to be extremely healthy, and we haven’t needed to provide any special care for the them at all (i.e. no brooder box, no pasty butts, no heat lamp, etc.). We’ve given them chick starter feed (where the big chickens couldn’t get it) and water, but that’s it. The broody hens have been excellent mothers and the only calamity was when a hawk got one of the three chicks from the first broodies clutch (hazard of raising chicks that free range).
1st Broody [...]
Continue reading Broody Chick Update
 The Buckeyes are 27 weeks old today; and a couple of the 14 hens have begun laying. The eggs seem so tiny compared to the Red Comet eggs (at an average of 2 1/4 ounces); however, they weigh in at 1 3/8 ounces, slightly larger than the weight of the Comets first eggs (they were 1 1/4 ounce).
It’s been a great journey with these birds – from the little tiny day-old hatchlings, to the growing pullets and cockerels, and finally the fully grown hens and roosters. It’s so exciting to finally have the flock all in the coop and laying. They’ve matured into wonderful birds for the backyard; friendly, inquisitive, and just great to have around. [...]
Continue reading The Buckeyes Are Laying!
|
Welcome! This blog is all about backyard chickens, goats, gardens, honey bees and DIY. To visit the farm website instead, click on the logo below.
Enjoy A Free Homesteading Magazine:
|
Chicken Coop Cam
Goat Stall Cam
