Answer to the Delaware Dilemma

[joletabey]

Aveca, have I told you lately how wonderful you are???? I will email you.

 

[math ace]

Quote:
Thanks for the welcome. I seem to be drawn to the challenging breeds like a moth to the flame. . .. .

I don't have the space for hundreds of birds, but I do have the time and inclination to do what needs to be done to produce some nice stock - - - one generation at a time.

I am NEW, very NEW - - - but with some mentoring I think I could catch on pretty fast. I have noticed that I can spot strengths and weakness better from pictures than in real life. . . So, I think it would be wise on my part to get my fanny out there tomorrow and start taking some pictures of the few delawares I hatched a couple of months ago. . . . .

 

[tnchickenut]

Hello again Math Ace....

My best advice to a newbie to the breed - to any breed. Learn all you can and DO NOT listen to any one person. Read the SOP, study it, memorize it... TATTOO IT ON YOUR FORHEAD! lol (ok not really on that one) But YOU need to know it so well that you can look at a bird and sum it up. "Good wing carriage, bad barring, good comb, bad eye color... ect" Because there is no such thing as a perfect bird or even a perfect line... you need to learn to judge them when you are purchasing them, and when you are breeding your own. Yes, body is the most important... but I also ask, "At what point do other faults null and void the body?" For example, I have a black sex-link roo that has a awesome body for a Del... but he is 50% black and 1% red and 49% white. Should I put him in my breeding program just because his body is good? Would you?

You see, my point is this... if YOU KNOW the SOP and what you want and what you are willing to work with as far as improving the quality of a line... then you are a great breeder, no matter what your birds look like. If you buy up a trio from the "best breeder in the US" and just produce and produce from them... then your stock might be looking great, but you are not being a very good breeder at all. With this in mind, ask for all the advice in the world... but know the SOP and take advice with a grain of salt... the SOP will be your ulimate learning tool, and always remember that not every breeder goes by it and not everyone reads it the same. When in doubt, contact your district leader (or all of them) in the front of the SOP - like joletabey did... and get the answer.

Then, I think this goes without mention, their is always joining the APA and breed clubs... for example http://delawarepoultryclub.org - just picked one off the top of my head!

 

[TukswittFarm]

Great advice tnchickenut! The SOP is something to closely study about all breeds you may be interested in. Delawares are a fantastic breed to raise, but their coloring does make them one of the more difficult to breed. And from 8+ years of experience, I can tell you coloring is truely the most difficult aspect. Work closely with your birds and record your findings. There are lots of experienced breeders out there to look to for guidance. Enjoy your Delawares!!

Kerryann Sanocki
Tukswitt Farm
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats; Pearl Guinea Fowl
Heritage Chickens - Buckeye, White Chantecler, Delaware
www.tukswittfarm.com
www.delawarepoultryclub.org

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Well, then ..... get out there and build some more coops! Yes, that's what you need ..... more coops!

Oh, another thing that could help, too .... dump those Marans you have. Yeah, dump them and make more room for the Delawares!

Yes, get pictures. We love pictures here, too! Pictures are mandatory. Lookin' forward to seeing them.

 

[tnchickenut]

Hey! Good idea... Dump those Maran hens on ME!!!! lol.

I'm kidding. But I do enjoy a random dark brown egg. I like to have variety! But as far as breeding goes... I really would dump the Marans. That's me, though.... it's all up to you!!! Just do not dump the Dels. EVER. (kidding again)

I don't stay serious for long. The world is awefully boring without humor!


Math... what color Marans do you have? Am I being lazy and not reading your signature? I have some wheaten hens... I don't breed them. Not interested in starting to breed them either... they are in my "eatting eggs" flock. That is where I can have birds for the fun of it. That is what it is about... having fun while getting eggs and meat out of your backyard!

 

[kathyinmo]

I love a good scavenger hunt. How about winning an incubator. Interested?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5369645#p5369645

 

[joletabey]

Kathy, you come up with the best stuff!

Math Ace- if I can build a coop, anyone can. And pictures would be fantastic!

 

[aveca]

Quote:
Thanks Beth, That is so nice....Sorry this took so long , we waited a little long for help due to equipment failure (computer, camera and USB ports) The final is crisp white and the lines are fine but my camera doesnt capture that the macro isnt working so lines look fat and a blurr, but Im sure she will have better equipment to catch what supposed to be.

It has changed a lot since these pics were taken there is ribbon underneath now and letters are changed around to sleepy hollow font,and provance blue color.. and lightened things up and put the dark where it belonged, just wanted to apologise for taking so long, the printers are out of commision also ...we have marcellus shale gas cos all over town and they are booked doing work for them for pretty much next 5 years along with hospital and regulars .

so all of this is changed around, letters ribbon ect...ect... couldnt find ya right off so popped in here. I will look for your E-Mail

 

[joletabey]

Aveca, hit the pm here if you didn't get my email - I can't remember which account I sent it from, but I used the address you have listed as your email here on BYC. I emailed you right after I posted here.

I can't wait to see it with Sleepy Hollow - this is SO tremendous!!!