The SOP, as it is often called, can be amended from time to time and it is interesting to compare SOP's as they changed through the years. Sometimes the changes raise controversy. In an effort to continue the development of the bird that Nettie Metcalf had in mind, we are presenting the original SOP adopted in 1905 by the APA below for readers to enjoy.
We have also attempted to show how the SOP has changed since its adoption by including some excerpts from the APA's 2010 edition of The American Standard of Perfection (shown in italics below). It is important to note that these excerpts have been edited to comply with APA copyright provisions, so our excerpts do not represent the APA's complete breed description. For a complete description of the Buckeye's current SOP (and the SOP of all other breeds and varieties of domestic poultry) please reference The American Standard of Perfection, which is available from the APA (click here).
 |
| Buckeye photographs in the American Buckeye Club 1916 Catalog |
Disqualifications.
Twisted or puckered comb; black beak; permanent white in ear- lobes; white feathers; shanks other than yellow. (See general disqualifications)
Standard Weights.
Cock 9 lbs. Hen 6 lbs. (2010 Standard is 6 1/2)
Cockerel 8 lbs. Pullet 5 lbs. (2010 Standard is 5 1/2)
SHAPE OF MALE.
Head—Of medium size, carried well up.
Beak—Short, stout, regularly curved.
Eyes—Of medium size, full, bright, with bold expression.
Comb—Pea, small, firm, set closely on head.
 |
| Champion Cockerel owned by Shumaker Farms |
Neck—Of medium length, well arched, tapering nicely; hackle, abundant,
flowing well over shoulders.
Back—Broad at shoulders (2010 Standard now indicates the bird should be broad throughout its length and slope slightly downward to base of tail), rather long, rising with slight concave sweep to tail; saddle feathers, abundant.
Breast—Broad, deep, well rounded, carried somewhat elevated above the
horizontal.
Body and Fluff—Body, rather long, broad, deep, full, heavy for size of bird ;
keel-bone, long, straight, extending well forward. Fluff, moderately full.
Wings—Of medium size, well folded; wing-bows and wing-points, well covered by breast and saddle feathers, respectively.
Tail—Of medium length and size, carried moderately upright (2010 Standard defines this as 40 degrees above horizontal); sickles and coverts, of medium length, nicely curved, sufficiently abundant to cover well the stiff feathers.
Legs and Toes—Thighs, of medium length, large, well covered with soft feathers; shanks, of medium length, stout, smooth, set well apart (2010 Standard indicates legs should be straight when viewed from the front). Toes, of medium length, straight, strong, well spread (2010 Standard specifies four toes on each foot). Shanks and toes free from feathers and down.
SHAPE OF FEMALE.
 |
| Show Quality Hen owned by Shumaker Farms |
Beak—Short, stout, regularly curved.
Eyes—Of medium size, full, bright.
Comb—Pea, small, set closely on head.
Wattles and Ear-Lobes—Wattles, of equal length, moderately rounded. Earlobes, of medium size; fine in texture.
Neck—Of medium length, well curved, tapering nicely to head, where it is
comparatively small; hackle, moderately full.
Back—Broad, rather long, rising very slightly to tail.
Breast—Broad, deep, well rounded, carried somewhat elevated above the
horizontal.
Body and Fluff—Body, long, broad, deep, full, heavy for size of bird; keel bone, long, straight, extending well forward. Fluff, moderately full.
Wings—Of medium size, well folded.
Tail—Of medium length, fairly well spread, carried moderately upright (2010 Standard identifies this as a 30 degree angle above horizontal).
Legs and Toes—Thighs, of medium length and size, well covered with soft feathers; shanks, of medium length, stout, smooth, set well apart (2010 Standard also indicates legs should be straight when viewed from the front). Toes, of medium length and size, straight, well spread (2010 Standard specifies four toes on each foot). Shanks and toes free from feathers and down.
COLOR OF MALE.
Beak—Yellow, shaded with red horn.
Eyes—Red. (2010 Standard indicates "Reddish Bay")
Face—Bright red.
Comb, Wattles and Ear-Lobes—Bright red.
Shanks and Toes—Yellow, shaded with red horn. (2010 Standard appears to indicate that the red horn coloring is a tendancy rather than a requirement as it states "Yellow (Tend to be shaded with reddish horn)")
Plumage—General surface, dark, rich, velvety red, garnet or dark cardinal in shade, never buff or bricky (2010 Standard changes this wording to "an even shade of rich mahogany bay", which has caused some controversy among Buckeye breeders); head, neck, hackle, back, saddle and wing-bows, richly glossed with a metallic luster; under-color, a lighter shade of red, except on the feathers of the back, where a bar of slate should appear next to surface color, balance of the web to be red; color of quill to conform to web of feather. Other things being equal, the specimen showing the richest, most even surface color shall be given the preference. The unexposed flight feathers and main tail feathers may contain black; sickles and coverts should be shaded red and black (2010 Standard changes this to "bay and black"), thus avoiding a sharp contrast between body and tail. A harmonious blending of red in all sections is desirable.
COLOR OF FEMALE.
Beak—Yellow. (2010 Standard also adds "shaded with reddish horn")
Eyes—Red. (2010 Standard indicates "Reddish Bay")
Face—Bright red.
Comb, Wattles and Ear-Lobes—Bright red.
Shanks and Toes—Yellow, or reddish yellow. (2010 Standard changes this to "Yellow (Tend to be shaded with reddish horn)")
Plumage — General surface, dark, rich, velvety red, garnet or dark cardinal in shade, never buff or bricky (As with the male, the 2010 Standard changes this wording to "an even shade of rich mahogany bay"). Under-color, a lighter shade, except on the feathers of the back, where a bar of slate should appear next to surface color. Other things being equal, the specimen showing the most even, dark red surface color shall be given the preference. The unexposed flight feathers and main tail feathers may contain black. A harmonious blending of red in all sections is desirable.
