Answer to the Delaware Dilemma

[fowlman01]

Quote:
Is that an accepted practice? To mix with another breed? I thought you had to keep them, "pure," and not cross with anything else.

That is one of the breeds used to make them. I would not normally cross breeds, but it could be a way to get darker barring without putting Columbian Rock into them. The Dels and the Rocks have a similar shape because they were half of the equation. No doubt that it would be better to just work with what you have, but I thought you guys wanted a "project". I'm not sure that anyone here really knows what are in these Dels now. I'm not saying that anything was crossed into them lately, but who knows what happened before that. these birds were almost extinct and it seems doubtful that any around now are from the 1950's and earlier stock.

w.

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, yea, that is right .... it was one of the breeds used to make them. Heck, I just love projects! I am gonna try it. I will need more meat in the freezer next winter anyway ..... (if it doesn't work out just right!)

 

[joletabey]

I keep hoping that someone will uncover stock that does directly trace to the "Indian Rivers" - but I don't have much hope. I remember in the 50's when my parents gave up their chicken flock because it had gotten so easy to get eggs and meat at the grocery store - I was so young I don't even remember what they had, although I remember white chickens, so it was probably "leggerns".
I have been searching the internet for info - what I want to do is break into some libraries and the ag centers in Delaware and see if there are any old books or notes in their archives.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
OH, wouldn't that just be a fabulous find!!!

 

[jeremy]

Can we all revert back to calling Dels "Indian Rivers", I just love that name.

 

[speckledhen]

I also love the original name!

 

[joletabey]

I FOUND SOMETHING!!!!! I went into it backwards, and discovered this, and wait till you read it-you have to read it slowly, it almost doesn't make sense. It was written by Ed Hoffman, who was hired by George Ellis to work on the "Delaware Project"!!!!!

A few quotes to tease your interest: Large bold print is from me, not Mr. Hoffman.
" It is interesting that no one thought to get rid of the barring so the black feathers of Delawares in the neck were barred and for some reason there WAS NOT MUCH BLACK IN THE TAIL"

"Contrary to what has been written I recall the sports we had as silver not Columbian silvers. There was plenty of black in the wings and some in the body."

"If the Delaware now exists at all is a curiosity. From the viewpoint of the fancier it was a difficult breed because the combination of barring and the Colombian genes tends to produce females WITH NO BLACK AT ALL IN THE TAIL. THEREFORE "WINNERS IN THE SHOW RING" DELAWARES COULD ONLY BE PRODUCED BY A SYSTEM OF DOUBLE MATING."


Here- I hope I copied it correctly -
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGD/Dels/Hoffmann.html

 

[kathyinmo]

GREAT find, Beth!!! I have read it over and over. I really think we can do this. Can't we make our own line of Delawares? What the heck, it could be lots of fun.

 

[fowlman01]

Quote:
My thought is this: Even if you are not successful, you will learn a lot about breeding in a practical way and you probably will find out what your existing birds are really carrying. I think people learn more when they try something on their own. Not all of us have the time, space etc to start this kine of venture though. I think you will know if it is worthwhile in the first year.

Walt

 

[Inkheart]

Ok i have to admit something a bit embarrassing but perhaps helpful? The day i got my girls - being a total newbie - to me they look spot on Delawares - but the person that put them up for auction had a nice cage - food water etc. Gave their hatch date and said Delaware cross - in parantheses - DelawareXNew Hampshire- perhaps someone in Ohio has been trying this ? And my girls are a start to this sort of thinking? Just a thought. They look totally Delaware - nonetheless i love them
Just giving my two cents here - that srticle was fascinating