Answer to the Delaware Dilemma

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Lucky you .... you still see yellow. Mine turned pale, very pale ... greyish pale. Poor babies. And some are beginning to molt now.

ETA: On the other hand, it may just be me, or my home, or my area .... CUZ EVERY SINGLE BREED I HAVE THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE YELLOW LEGS ..... DOES NOT!

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
I had no idea that there was an issue with the number of tail feathers able to be seen, everyone seem so hung up on color... now we've got a whole other set of things to look for.
These are my pullets from Bill Braden, they're around 14 weeks old now, in these pictures they were about 12 weeks though, a bit younger.

Mind you some of these photos they were sunbathing, so the their tail feathers were spread out like fans, for the most part though they tend to carry them where multiple feathers are visible, is this what you're talking about Walt?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/jeremyjeremy07/IMG_3021.jpg?t=1283818333

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/jeremyjeremy07/IMG_2961.jpg?t=1283818357

This picture doesn't really show the angle very well, but it's a nice close up of the color.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/jeremyjeremy07/IMG_2943.jpg?t=1283818375

What do y'all think? They still have much filling in to do, they're still very young.

Yes, the structure of the tail is much better. It is hard to tell exactly how they look, but they clearly don't have pinched tails.

Walt

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Lucky you .... you still see yellow. Mine turned pale, very pale ... greyish pale. Poor babies. And some are beginning to molt now.

ETA: On the other hand, it may just be me, or my home, or my area .... CUZ EVERY SINGLE BREED I HAVE THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE YELLOW LEGS ..... DOES NOT!

There is a note in the SOP stating that faded leg color should not be a deduction in a female during egg production. A little corn should get some of the yellow back for you.

Walt

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Not even the one in the center that Kathy pointed out?

ETA: Here's a picture of one of the pullets from the front, not the best because she was drinking, but it should give you an idea of some color at this point.

 

[kathyinmo]

But, won't corn turn the Delawares white feathers yellow?

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:

I can't see the behind from this view, Amy! This is what Walt said to look at!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/31282_delawaresfaceleft.jpg
ETA: I added a picture of Oliver for comparison.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/31282_31282_8-19-10_dels_008.jpg

This bird looks very nice with the exception of the tail structure and overall color. I would also have to see it straight on. I would put this male over a female with a pinched tail. No guarantee's, but it should expand the female tail and START to solve the pinched tail, if you have any.

Walt

 

[kathyinmo]

This is #10. What do you think of her? She is 6 months old.

 

[Serrin]

Jeremy, I just gotta say it. In that first picture of your earlier post, I absolutely love that shot! Heads down, bottoms UP!

It's such a priceless picture, so typical of a group of free ranging hens. One finds something, and in a heart beat, they're all there checking it out!

Thanks for sharing that one.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Not a female....at least I have never seen that happen to a white female. A male yes, depending on it's genetic makeup, but yellow legs should not be a problem in a male because of egg production. Generally in breeds that require yellow legs, the males don't have a problem. If they do something else is going on.

Walt

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
In the pics it appears that you have good bodies in the males and females. I like that their legs are well spaced. Many Dels have legs that are too close together which usually goes with a pinched tail and narrow bodies.....but not always. The female pictured has a very good body, but the tail is somewhat pinched.

Walt