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- #311
I ordered Welsummer eggs from deer run and they are GREAT PEOPLE.
From my Delaware group there are a few things I’ve learned.
The deer run farm line was taken over from a well known breeder line. It’s a pretty good line, and deer run is actively working on improving the breeding of the flock.
There are really only three or four lines of Delawares other than hatchery. The deer run farm line is one of those and I can’t recall the name right now.
The other main line is Bonham. None of us here want that line. It is a show line of VERY correct birds however they take 30+ weeks to reach maturity. I have a TWELVE week old boy that weighs 1 pound 12 ounces. :::eye roll:::
There used to be a big main breeder of Delawares called Chick Charney. I thiiiiiink in Oregon. They were a hybrid of great utility and show. Unfortunately that group is no longer in Delawares. They sold their entire stock and the buyer is not NPIP and I don’t know what state they are in, but it’s not TX... I know that much.
All the Delaware club breeders told me to get Utility meat birds from Dawnridge Farm (she is the breeder I posted the podcast to a few weeks ago....). But they’re really expensive so I’m hesitant. 25 for 250 including shipping. Uh.... and I just want to eat them to even see if I like them.
I asked about the freedom ranger hatchery birds and none of the Delaware breeders acted like they knew the history of Henry Noll’s stock.
But now this makes me remember a post on ByC from years ago I found in search. Henry Noll owned a fairly well known and respected hatchery that specialized in meat broilers. Guess who bought it? Moyers. (I think. I hope I’m not spouting misinformation). My assumption is that they COULD be actively selecting for utility/meat in that Henry Noll line. I’m going to ask around to see if there’s more info. Has anyone called Freedom ranger Hatchery to talk to them?
I love this forum. 
Mmm, fresh dirt. I figured he can wait until the pullets are processed.
