in 2000. I’d never been around poultry before, but loved the thought of having a few birds and some fresh eggs to cook with. So I got three Ameraucanas from the feed store, and discovered how much I enjoyed watching them as they roamed the yard and did their “chicken-y” thing. Over the years I’ve had a variety of birds from the feed store, but in 2012, after seeing some Buckeyes at the Denver Stock Show, I decided I wanted to get some, which I ordered from a hatchery. I hadn’t even thought about breeding chickens at that time – I just wanted some nice birds that would be dual- purpose, suitable for our climate, and pretty. My first six Buckeyes turned out to include 2 roosters, which were a first for me, and got me started thinking about breeding my own. They were friendly and curious and easy to keep. I made a leap and ordered chicks from Sharon Fildes, and this year I'll be adding to my flock with chick's from Baker's Acres. I haven't participated in a lot of shows, and where we did show, we were the only Buckeyes there. But we did take Champion American at one show for the cockerel one day, and Champion and Reserve Champion American with two pullets as well. Since getting my first breeder hatched Buckeyes, I have sold a limited number of both chicks and hatching eggs, and I have kept a number of chicks for myself to work with. I’ve got a lot to learn, but there are so many good mentors in our area, as well as in the American Buckeye Poultry Club members. I like to raise my birds as “yard birds” and not show birds. They have a large yard to run around in, with lots of lilacs to hide under. I’ve been “trampled” by chickens as a goose flew over one day and they mistook the shadow for a hawk and went scattering to the safety of the shrubbery. I love how instinctive they are! I find it very difficult to coop train them for shows, and I don’t ever expect to be very good at showing because of that. But I like to get the birds out there and get the feedback from the judges. About me – I was born in California, but moved to Colorado in 1975 after spending several summers here. I grew up in Indian Hills, outside of Denver. I was in 4-H for horses and spent most of my free time riding through the Open Space areas around out town. I graduated from CSU in Chemical Engineering, and have worked both in industry and consulting. I work part time now, which gives me plenty of time to play with the birds and to garden and volunteer with CSU extension as a Master Gardener. So I’m really new to this poultry breeding and showing thing, but I’ve met some really nice people, and I enjoy the birds immensely. Especially my curious Buckeyes! The birds and I currently live on the Front Range of Colorado just north of Denver with my husband Michael, our two dogs Moki and Dolly, and the kitten Kraken. |
Loni Gaudet's Bio
The American Buckeye Poultry Club
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