The American Buckeye Club was originally established in 1909 by none other than Nettie Metcalf, founder of the Buckeye Breed. This was the earliest know date of the club's roots and some will be surprised to learn it was started in California not OHIO!  Nettie moved to California around 1906 and the club struggled as did her "Buckeye Red's", as they were named. 

 Mrs. Nettie Metcalf (circa 1912)

About the Breed & Mrs. Metcalf 

Nettie began experimenting with different poultry breeds in the late 1880's to establish a breed that could withstand the harsh northern Ohio winters. She started by breeding a Buff Cochin male to Barred Plymouth Rock females. This produced what she considered a large, lazy fowl. The next year she purchased a Black-Breasted Red Game male (possibly a Malay with Cornish Indian Game) and crossed this male over the half cochin pullets. This cross produced several red offspring and from there she developed the breed. It is interesting to note that her creation predated the introduction of Rhode Island Reds into the mid-west. 

In 1896 she learned that her idea of red fowls were not a new concept and that a very popular eastern breed had been developed, the Rhode Island Reds. After corresponding with several Rhode Island Red breeders, she decided to call her breed "Pea Combed" Rhode Island Reds (she even traded stock with several of these breeders). Rather than helping to promote her new breed, she found that calling them "Pea Combed" Rhode Island Reds was in fact limiting their popularity.  In 1902 she exhibited a pair of these birds in the Cleveland, Ohio poultry show as Buckeyes.
 
Shortly after showing her Buckeye's at the Cleveland, Ohio poultry show and winning the Ohio State Fair in 1906 Mrs. Metcalf moved west to California. Legend has it she took Buckeye's with her and sold them from her "Red Feather Farm" located in Inglewood, CA.  History is not clear on why Mrs. Metcalf moved to California but perhaps it had something to do with her husband Frank's line of work. In 1915 San Francisco, California was the site of the "Panama Pacific International Expo" (PPIE) and in the exhibitors listing the American Buckeye Club is listed. Mrs. Metcalf was the spokeswoman for the club at the Expo, Elton C. Mahon was listed as the President and A.H. Weisberg was listed as Secretary.  According to the Expo listing the American Buckeye Club was founded in 1909 with the first President none other than Mrs. Nettie Metcalf herself!


Today, The American Buckeye Club finds new roots on the internet by re-establishing the organization effective January 1, 2009.  Our focus will primarily be the maintenance of a comprehensive BUCKEYE BREEDERS DIRECTORY.  We hope other enthusiasts will join this "FREE" internet based organization and help us preserve this rare "heritage" breed.  

Operating and maintaining this website and managing the BUCKEYE BREEDER DIRECTORY is owner of Crains Run Ranch, Jeffrey Lay, located in Southwest Ohio.  Mr. Lay has been breeding and raising Buckeyes since 2002 and his strain originated from  "Brown & Rhodes" strains.  In addition, Crains Run Ranch is preserving another rare breed, the "Myotonic" or "Tennessee Fainting" Goat!

The American Buckeye Club is seeking ALL Buckeye Breeders interested in participating in the new BUCKEYE BREEDER DIRECTORY and is asking everyone to review our "BREEDER DIRECTORY" page, call and/or e-mail us with your contact information.  We also have a "Hatchery" listing on this page for the commercial hatchery operations who offer Buckeye chicks for sale.


The American Buckeye Club
4686 Crains Run Rd.
Miamisburg, Ohio 45342
 Phone: 937-470-2888
e-mail: jlay3@woh.rr.com

www.americanbuckeyeclub.org
or
www.americanbuckeyeclub.com