Buckeye Chickens | Ultimate Guide

Buckeye chickens are powerful, cold-tolerant, and full of character—an all-American breed created specifically to thrive in harsh Midwest winters. Developed in Ohio in the late 1800s, Buckeyes are famously the only APA-recognized breed created by a woman, breeder Nettie Metcalf.

Their deep mahogany plumage, muscular build, and confident stance make them immediately recognizable, but it’s their practical strengths that keep them popular with homesteaders today: excellent foraging, dependable brown eggs, calm temperaments, and exceptional cold hardiness thanks to their pea comb. Buckeyes are active without being flighty and personable without being needy, making them ideal for mixed flocks and family farms.

This guide walks through everything you need to know—appearance, history, availability, egg laying, health needs, temperament, feeding, housing, pros & cons, and FAQs—to help you decide whether this hardy Midwestern breed is the right fit for your flock.

 

Source: MyPetChicken

 

Quick Chick(en) Facts

Origin	United States (Ohio)
Colors	Mahogany red (APA standard)
Weight	Hens: ~6.5 lb & Roosters: ~9 lb
Lifespan	6–9 years
Rate of Lay/yr	~180–220 eggs
Egg Size	Large
Egg Color	Brown
Heat Hardy	Moderate; active birds need shade
Cold Hardy	Excellent; pea comb exception
Broodiness	Moderate
Disease Susceptibility	Hardy; monitor weight & mites
Temperament	Curious, confident, steady
Beginner Friendly	Yes

 

 

Quick Jump

 

Chapter 1: Appearance of Buckeye Chickens

Buckeyes are muscular, broad-breasted birds with a powerful stance and thick feathering that suits their cold-hardy origins. Their deep mahogany plumage, often with a glossy sheen, is one of the richest reds in the poultry world—darker and deeper than a Rhode Island Red. They have a slightly slanted “game bird” shape and a well-developed breast, reflecting their early use as a dual purpose farm bird.

Their small pea comb sits tight to the head, reducing frostbite risk, and their bright yellow legs give them a sturdy, athletic look.

Size

Buckeyes are medium-heavy chickens with strong, well-rounded frames. Their sturdy build helps them conserve heat in winter while maintaining agility in the yard. Roosters are notably robust but not excessively aggressive in appearance or temperament.

Colors

The APA recognizes a single color: a deep mahogany red, uniform from head to tail. High-quality birds have consistent coloring without washout or lighter patches, giving them a bold, glossy barnyard presence.

 

Chapter 2: History of Buckeye Chickens

The Buckeye has a uniquely American origin story. Developed by Nettie Metcalf of Ohio in the late 1800s, it is the only APA-recognized breed created by a woman. Metcalf’s goal was to produce a hardy, productive chicken that could withstand Ohio’s frigid winters and still provide families with meat and eggs.

Buckeyes share heritage roots with Cornish and early Rhode Island Reds but stand apart thanks to their pea comb, muscular build, and active foraging instincts. They experienced a dip in numbers during the industrialization of poultry but have since been revived through conservation efforts.

 

Chapter 3: Buckeye Chickens for Sale

Buckeyes are available through many major hatcheries, especially those offering heritage breeds, beginning in late winter through early fall. Because they are a conservation breed, availability can be moderate depending on the season. Many breeders work specifically to preserve deep color and strong body type, so show-quality lines are often found through small farm breeders rather than large hatcheries.

Chicks tend to be vigorous and strong, with good early growth and an active, curious nature right from the start.

 

Chapter 4: Buckeye Egg Laying

Buckeye hens lay around 180–220 large brown eggs per year. While they aren’t the highest-producing heritage breed, their laying is steady and reliable across the seasons. Their cold-hardiness and calm winter behavior help them maintain production when more delicate breeds slow down.

They typically begin laying around 22–24 weeks, slightly later than Mediterranean breeds but normal for dual purpose birds.

Broodiness occurs occasionally. Broody Buckeyes tend to be gentle, steady sitters, though not as devoted as Cochins or Australorps. Their strong bodies help them cover clutches well, and they make attentive mothers when given the chance.

 

Chapter 5: Buckeye Health Issues & Care

Buckeyes are hardy, resilient birds bred to withstand cold Midwestern winters. Their pea comb protects them from frostbite, and their dense feathering insulates them well. Overall, they have few breed-specific issues. The main concern is occasional weight gain if confined too much, as Buckeyes were bred to be active foragers.

They thrive in environments where they can move, scratch, and explore.

Health Issues

As active birds who enjoy scratching and exploring, Buckeyes should have frequent access to dry dust-bathing areas. Their thick feathers can hide mites and lice if not checked regularly, especially during warm months.

Climate Needs

Buckeyes excel in cold climates thanks to their pea comb and deep feathering. In hot climates, they do well with shade, fresh water, and space to avoid overheating. Their activity level naturally helps them maintain a healthy body temperature.

 

Chapter 6: Buckeye Temperament

Buckeyes are confident, curious birds with lively personalities. They enjoy interacting with keepers, often following people around the yard with soft, murmuring vocalizations. They are assertive enough to hold their own in a mixed flock but not aggressive or bossy.

Buckeyes are also known for their strong foraging drive—they’re one of the few American breeds that naturally “mouse hunt,” a trait inherited from early game-type ancestry.

Temperament

Broody hens remain calm and committed. Their even temperaments make them easy to manage throughout the brooding cycle.

 

Chapter 7: Feeding Buckeye

Start chicks on a 20–21% starter feed, transition to an 18% grower feed at 8 weeks, and switch to a 16% layer ration once laying begins. Buckeyes are excellent foragers—one of the best heritage foraging breeds—which helps reduce feed costs if they have room to roam.

Because of their active nature, Buckeyes benefit from diets that support muscle tone, especially if kept in confinement for long stretches.

 

Chapter 8: Coop & Run Size for Buckeye

Provide at least 4 square feet per bird inside the coop and 10–15+ square feet in the run, though more space is ideal. Buckeyes enjoy activity and will make good use of yard space. Their confident personalities mean they typically explore every corner of the run.

They prefer medium-height roosts and standard 12x12 inch nest boxes. Their athletic build makes them agile but not overly flighty.

 

Chapter 9: Pros & Cons of Buckeye Chickens

Buckeyes are robust, friendly, effective foragers with strong cold tolerance and a fun, lively personality. Their only drawbacks are their moderate heat tolerance and their need for space to stay active and healthy.

Pros	Cons
Excellent cold-hardy breed	Moderate heat tolerance
Calm, confident, people-friendly	Needs room to forage
Reliable brown egg layers	Egg output moderate vs. hybrids
True American heritage breed	Less common than popular breeds
Good mothers when broody	Can gain weight in confinement

 

Chapter 10: Buckeye FAQs

Are Buckeyes good in cold climates?
Yes—one of the best. Their pea comb and dense feathering protect them exceptionally well.

How many eggs do Buckeyes lay?
Around 180–220 large brown eggs per year.

Are Buckeyes friendly?
Very. They are confident, curious birds that enjoy interacting with their keepers.

Do Buckeyes forage well?
Extremely well—one of the strongest foraging breeds among American heritage birds.

Are Buckeyes beginner friendly?
Yes. They are hardy, steady birds with easygoing temperaments.

Sources

APA Standard of Perfection – Buckeye.
The Livestock Conservancy – Buckeye breed profile.
University poultry extension sources.
Historical notes from Nettie Metcalf’s writings & documented breed development records.