Buckeye Rooster

Darkwings

Darkwings

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He looks like a cross between a Wyandotte hen (small comb and wattle) and a Rhode Island Red cockerel Darkwings. Perhaps originally a fighting breed with a small head target area?
 
Hi Chris, got interested so searched Wikipedia where I found this. "The Buckeye was first bred and developed in 1896, by a Warren, Ohio resident named Nettie Metcalf. Metcalf crossbred Barred Plymouth Rocks, Buff Cochins, and some black breasted red games to produce the Buckeye. Her goal was a functional breed that could produce well in the bitter Midwest winters. Contrary to popular belief the Buckeye breed was created before the Rhode Island Red breed and actually sent birds to the RIR breeders for them to improve their breed."
 
Rare Poultry Breeds, by David Scrivener, adds the following information.
'they were first proposed for recognition by the APA as 'Pea Comb Rhode Island Reds' but this was rejected.... 'Buckeye State ' is a nickname for Ohio. It is derived form the dark brown colour of nuts from the horse chestnut tree (Aesculus Glabra) which is common in Ohio and was widely used by the early pioneers.
APA standards mention Dark Cornish (=English Indian Game), Black Red Game, Buff Cochins and Barred Plymouth Rocks as being used to make Buckeyes. .... In 2005 there was one known flock of Buckeyes in the UK (Derbyshire.)'

There's more detail in Scriveners book, about the history of the breed, and a picture of a male bird that looks very like yours, Darkwings.
 
Very interesting information! I might have to get a couple of Buckeye hens and start a little breeding project. :D
 
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