- Jul 30, 2009
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Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :
Paula,
The Dorkings require a little more substantial housing in the winter due to their spectacular combs. But that's the only down side. The Dorkings produce excellent meat, but are slower to mature than the Delawares, and a little more fragile as chicks. I think that might be why they're not so prolific anymore. The Delawares are more consistent layers, too, and very hardy as chicks. So, while I would recommend either one as a dual purpose bird, the Delawares are probably a better choice all around. I have the dorkings because I like them, and I'm trying to keep the breed going. They are sweet birds, and though they say they go broody at the drop of a hat, I haven't had that problem. The cool thing with the Delawares is that you can mix them with a RIR rooster to make your red sexlinks.
AKMichelle is coming down this coming weekend to pick up chicks... you might contact her if you want her to bring chicks up for you. We have lots of Dellies available right now.
I'm just saying.
Deb... I really like the look of those wheatens... good job! I think you ought to start a new line...
Donna, I thought I recognized that photo! LOL! Pad and Sweenie turned out to be really pretty!
Thanks for the ideas.
I am thinking it will be June when we will be starting with different birds.
By then we will hopefully have another coop set up, and all our older birds that are not really laying will be in freezer camp.
We have had no desire to order out of state, and the Palmer hatchery does not carry Delawares, so we had about given up on them as an option. Thats why we let our broodies get busy so early this year.
I am envisioning that we will sell off the new ones before long.
We have family that wants back in layers, so they might head that direction.
I do have someone up north that may take our new purebred cochins.
Winter is hard on them. Their feathered feet really take a beating! Plus a bird that takes 9 months to mature, makes for a money drain, rather then earning its keep.
Paula,
The Dorkings require a little more substantial housing in the winter due to their spectacular combs. But that's the only down side. The Dorkings produce excellent meat, but are slower to mature than the Delawares, and a little more fragile as chicks. I think that might be why they're not so prolific anymore. The Delawares are more consistent layers, too, and very hardy as chicks. So, while I would recommend either one as a dual purpose bird, the Delawares are probably a better choice all around. I have the dorkings because I like them, and I'm trying to keep the breed going. They are sweet birds, and though they say they go broody at the drop of a hat, I haven't had that problem. The cool thing with the Delawares is that you can mix them with a RIR rooster to make your red sexlinks.
AKMichelle is coming down this coming weekend to pick up chicks... you might contact her if you want her to bring chicks up for you. We have lots of Dellies available right now.
Deb... I really like the look of those wheatens... good job! I think you ought to start a new line...
Donna, I thought I recognized that photo! LOL! Pad and Sweenie turned out to be really pretty!
Thanks for the ideas.
I am thinking it will be June when we will be starting with different birds.
By then we will hopefully have another coop set up, and all our older birds that are not really laying will be in freezer camp.
We have had no desire to order out of state, and the Palmer hatchery does not carry Delawares, so we had about given up on them as an option. Thats why we let our broodies get busy so early this year.
I am envisioning that we will sell off the new ones before long.
We have family that wants back in layers, so they might head that direction.
I do have someone up north that may take our new purebred cochins.
Winter is hard on them. Their feathered feet really take a beating! Plus a bird that takes 9 months to mature, makes for a money drain, rather then earning its keep.
