Answer to the Delaware Dilemma

[kathyinmo]

So would the pictured rooster help out with the pinched tail if I use this pullet? I mean, do you think they would be a good match to pair up and try it?

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
I would try it, it is all about seeing what works with the line you have. There are no guarantee's when trying to alter a shape of a bird. I have found that breeding to exaggerated points in a bird CAN have positive results.

Walt

 

[joletabey]

And I just need to start over?

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
I would. It is very hard to tell with your pics, but the birds look too narrow and shallow. The females are OK, but not great. In addition it "appears" that you have light slate legs in some of your birds. New Hamps and Rocks have yellow legs, so I would wonder where that leg color is coming from. Your birds are very healthy looking and in excellent condition, but there is a lot of work there. It could be done and it would give a lot of satisfaction, but it may also take a few years. You could use your existing flock for utility purposes.

Walt

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
And is there any hope for mine? Not one comment.....

 

[joletabey]

Lotsa- yours look a lot like mine, except you have some with darker hackle markings- but I think the tail would classify as squinchy- ???

Walt- Actually, they all had bright, bright yellow legs as chicks and juvies- they have all faded to a pale pearly yellow color, and I think what you are seeing is dirt. They are usually filthy little dust bathers. And they are excellent layers with wonderful personalities, so I think I will use the best three or four, add some fresh stock and a different roo and see what happens. My roo that died had better body type than this one, but he had the darker tail, like Kathy's Oliver. So I think some good genes are there - I don't want to give up on them, and I don't mind taking time. Building a breeding program is fun. And now I am getting a better idea of where to head- I think I am going to blow up the Schiller picture and hang it in my barn!

Also, another puzzle. Two of my hens frequently show more tail black and in a better formation- it seems to change with what they are doing - same with the tail set. Up, down, wagging, fanned - I assume you choose the tail set when they are most relaxed and at rest for the norm? Also, they had more tail black showing a few months ago than they do now- is that part of what happens when they molt at this age?

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
And is there any hope for mine? Not one comment.....

When there are a lot of posts, I sometimes miss some. I will comment later after I feed the birds.

w.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I like the SIZE you have on your birds ALOT! Your girls look great to me.

 

[Lotsapaints]

Thanks Kathy I got that scale and now I'm on a tear I don't care if I only have 2 pullets good enough to raise my replacements from as I can separate those and hatch them out. I bought mine from somebody who said they were "utility farm flock" I just want to upgrade them to more of the SOP. I don't want to lose the size "the barn" so to speak they are starting to lay and I can't do a good job of that until then according to ALBC. I'm using their chick evaluation form on the ones I hatch. I want a big, quick maturing Delaware who lays many eggs showing any would be down the road aways.....I do have some high quality birds another breed and having those is helping me to get an eye but I culled at 8 weeks the same ones good then are good now none of the culls have made up any ground I'm just trying to learn and improve my stock...My culls dressed out excellent and I learned from that too

 

[speckledhen]

None of us have hatched enough Delawares to have been able to round up a show quality bunch, so it stands to reason that there are some who would be culled if we had better replacements. That's what I'd be doing if I was still in the project, hatching for replacements, improved ones. This BYC group has only just begun the process. Even from near or at show quality parents, you rarely get show quality progeny. So, hopefully, no one will be discouraged. Many of you are at the point where you've only picked the best from your first or second batch of Dels and it's a long process to get a great flock. Delawares are harder, IMO, because of the different tail color in males and females. Many, or even most, breeds don't have that type challenge.

There comes a point where you have to start with your core flock. If you keep culling and culling and never overlook a fault or two, you'd never get started. That is discouraging.