Description
The name is derived from Ohio’s nickname of “Buckeye State.” The breed was developed in Ohio and first shown in 1902. Recognized by the American Standard of perfection in 1904, it is a dual purpose chicken that lays brown eggs. They are unique in that they are the only breed of chickens created entirely by a woman, Nettie Metcalf of Warren Ohio. Buckeyes body shape is also unique: slanted, short but broad back, very meaty thighs, powerful wings and breast. They are a very active and noted for their vigilant pursuit of mice, some compare them to cats due to this ability. The males produce a range of sounds including a dinosaur-like roar. They have little fear of humans and are possibly too friendly.
sam.bodell –
I ordered 20 non-sexed Buckeys. Cackle sent me 22! All are healthy after 5 months but on 1 is a female… Pretty disappointed. I will order again but don’t wast your time ordering “non-sexed” hopping you’ll get a 50/50ish mix. Pay the extra and order what want or you’ll end up wasting a year of your time and pay more anyway.
Rebecca S, Montana –
I have raised many different types of chickens over the years. My primary reason for chickens is to eat the grasshoppers, because the grasshoppers have been snacking on my garden. This year, I decided to raise French Marians (which I had also ordered from the Cackle Hatchery), and looked forward to their eggs. When a fox broke into my pen and slaughtered all of them just as they were getting old enough to eat the grasshoppers, I was so mad, I immediately logged onto Cackle and ordered 6 chicks of whatever was getting shipped out in the next two days. (Cackle sent.me 7, and all 7 have survived.) These turned out to be the Buckeye. I consider this a very fortuous purchase. These are the best foragers I’ve ever had! They have wiped out the grasshoppers in their pen, and they follow me all along the fence side as I herd other grasshoppers towards them. They’ve been tolerating the triple digit heat wave we’ve had this summer, and they are very tolerant of my young children. They are learning to come when called, which makes rounding them up for their coop easy at night. This is probably the brightest breed I’ve ever worked with. I recently purchased chicken harnasses so I can stick the chickens on leashes and let them eat grasshoppers under supervision outside of their pen. Since I turned the chicken run into Fort Knox, I am hoping to enjoy this breed for years to come!
If the fox does manage to outwit me and slaughter my chickens, I will get more buckeyes from Cackle Hatchery. And also some alpacas. I probably won’t get the alpacas from Cackle Hatchery, though.
Courtenay_e –
One of my favorite breeds
Our Buckeyes are the reason I found Cackle hatchery. I wanted to try this breed because they’re supposed to be thrifty and sweet tempered. They are both. They are super sweet, and come running when they see us, but they eat all kinds of bugs and seeds, and YES! They love to find mice, and frogs, too! They consistently lay pretty eggs. All around a great bird, and as always, Cackle’s birds are the healthiest we’ve ever bought.
WiscoBuckeyes –
Great friendly chickens!
I ordered 15 hens and 1 rooster last April and all turned out to be what I selected. These birds are super cold hardy, coop was down to -20* last winter as it is far from the house with no electricity hook-up. They didn’t seem cold at all, all up in their roost instead of huddled together like my last birds. Great foragers out in the yard and garden, didn’t find one tick on me last year! They are super curious birds and easy to take care of. I get around a dozen eggs a day from them when there is enough light. Would definitely recommend for cold northern climates.
Kat –
Great chickens, bad sexing
First off, I love the quality of all the chickens I’ve gotten from Cackle Hatchery. But, I have a problem with the sexing. I ordered 2 male buckeyes last year, and 5 females. One of the ‘males’ was a female, all the rest were male. Very disappointing… Won’t stop me from ordering more though.
Hollilulu –
Love them!!!
I bought my Buckeyes in April of 2016, and waited until now to post a review. I ordered 3 Buckeye, and three Gold Laced Wyandottes. Cackle Hatchery sent one extra Buckeye. I had been warned that my chicks would likely be fragile and lethargic when I got them in the mail, and that I could expect about 1/3 of them to die. My chicks were active and vigorous from the moment I got them. I was surprised how active and happy they seemed. They have been wonderful all the way through. They are beautiful, talkative, social red hens. I just love them. They did not start laying until about 26 weeks or later, but have been great layers ever since. It has been a very cold winter, I have kept a light on them. They are still laying everyday. I am amazed at how well my chickens lay. My kids love them. I love these chickens, will get them again and would recommend them.
Paul or Tina –
Happy chickens
This was our first order from Cackle and we were very pleased. We had five varieties we ordered and all arrived healthy. There were three extra chicks included with the order and two survived. We also had five ducks. Everyone came in healthy. Chicks were beautiful ducks were fun until at 6 weeks a family of five foxes came in and decimated all but four ducks. As soon as things quiet down we will be ordering again, very pleased.
old mainer –
ordered 25 buckeye straight run. all are healthy,vigorous,good quality chicks. well prepared and shipped.excellent hatchery, excellent product. i will buy from again.
Excellent
Bryant, North Carolina June 2011 –
Cackle Hatchery
The chicks arrived safe and sound this morning. The Post Master called me at 6:55 AM this morning and told me the chicks had arrived. Thank you very much, I was afraid they would be in bad shape or possibly some had not made it due to the hot weather, however thank the Good Lord, they were all alive and seemed to be healthy. They went straight to their water and started eating before I came to work. All is fine. Again I appreciate your prompt and kind service. They are all well and fine this morning and I thank you and your personnel for the help.
Betsy, Michigan June 2013 –
Update on replaced order
Just a quick note to tell you the replacement Buckeye chicks arrived safely! I am enclosing a photo of the “smushed” box the first ones arrived in. Some of the original birds are doing very well, but some are not growing much. Will keep them a bit longer before passing judgment on those few. Again, a testament to you stock-none of them should be alive after the poor shipping trip that they endured. Also your company get “kudos” for going above what you had to do to replace that order. It was not your doing but you stepped up and (quickly) replaced not only the missing birds but the entire order. Way to go guys!!! I have been singing your praises to every chicken person I know, and put it on my Facebook. I hope this brings you some additional business-you guys deserve it!!
Sally Michigan May 2015 –
Update on chicken delivery
Thank You! The chicks arrived early this morning. On little turkey did not make it;however, you sent an extra so we received the exact number of (living) birds we ordered. They are all doing very well! As always, we are very happy with out ordering experience with Cackle Hatchery! Thank you!
Johnette, Texas May 2015 –
Cackle people
Just to let you know my order was received today and all chicks were in excellent condition! Everyone was healthy and vigorous and seemed happy to be at their new home! Your staff was very pleasant and courteous and we actually received our order a day sooner than expected! Thank you for providing us with quality chicks and great service again!
Mark New York April 2014 –
Chick Arrivals
Greetings from upstate New York and the Adirondack Mountains. Just a quick note to advise you our order of Buckeyes, Barred Rock and Jersey Giants arrived this morning. All chicks appear healthy and vigorous especially the Buckeyes who are non-stop balls of energy! Thanks for the experience.
Martha Alabama March 2014 –
Cackle Hatchery
The Buckeye pullets arrived this morn and as always with your birds they arrived in perfect condition. The two roosters were clearly marked, which I appreciate. They are happily and enthusiastically drinking and eating in their warm brooder. Thanks for such great service and beautiful, healthy chicks – I think maybe for over 35 years now! I always recommend you to poultry lovers. I am 77 years old and I will continue to order from you until the end!
Bryant North Carolina May 2011 –
Order
Thank You Mrs Smith. The chicks arrived safe and sound this morning. The Post Master called me at 6:45 am this morning and told me the chicks had arrived. Thank you very much. i was afraid they would be in bad shape or possibly some had not made it due to hot weather, however, thank the Good Lord, they were all alive and seemed to be healthy. They went straight to their water and started eating before I came to work. All is fine. Sorry I bothered you all, I just was concerned about their shipping in hot weather and trusting they had not been misdirected to some other Post Office. Again, I appreciate your prompt and kind service. They are all well and fine this morning and I thank you and your personnel for the help. You have a very efficient group of personnel working for your Hatchery and I always appreciated their kind assistance. Also I trust you all have a pleasant week.