Are Delawares really a heritage breed?

[jeremy]

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But that isn't the "heritage" of this breed is it? They were not bred to be dual purpose, though I certainly would say that they are now...

From ALBC-USA.org...

"Though its economic dominance was short lived, the Delaware still makes an excellent dual-purpose bird. It has well-developed egg and meat qualities, and a calm and friendly disposition. The breed is noted for rapid growth and fast feathering of the chicks. Cocks grow to 8 pounds and hens to 6 pounds."

Even if they were originally bred as broilers... they still laid eggs. That's what chickens do. Both Barred Rocks and New Hampshire Reds are excellent egg layers. To say Delawares can only be used as meat birds is denying it's genetic predisposition to be an excellent layer.

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That's what we're all working towards.

 

[kathyinmo]

Good job, Jeremy!

 

[jeremy]

SDWD!

 

[kathyinmo]

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For sure!

 

[jeremy]

I wonder why speckledhen never weighed in?

 

[joletabey]

If I remember correctly, this "discussion" already took place, and is in the early pages of the Delaware thread. As I recall, it got hot and heavy and some of it got removed by the mods.

Cynthia may not want to revisit ground already covered, although I should not speak for her.
I recall saying, at that time, that if something is considered antique if it's over 50 years old (Oh dear, that includes ME!), then 70 years is long enough time to be considered Heritage, especially the lines of the breed that are aiming to duplicate the qualities and attributes of the originals - as described by the SOP.

 

[jeremy]

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Similar to the same criteria for heirloom seeds/plants. They must be 50 years + and not hybridized to be considered heirloom by most "standards", I believe the same applies to poultry.

 

[joletabey]

Jeremy- another good point!!!

 

[speckledhen]

Hatchery Delawares are nothing like the ones that started out nor are they like the ones we are trying to bring back to good numbers. I suggest you check out this excellent discussion we had awhile back on heritage breeds.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=148040

Here is a quote from myself and seriousbill, who has some of the best Delawares in the country today, and who was generous enough to teach me most of what I know about this breed and start me out with some good stock:

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I'd say that's a good way of putting it, Cyn.

The way I look at it is this: Delawares are a rare, old-time(heritage) breed that nearly died out in the 70's and 80's. A few breeders managed to salvage what they could of the remaining lines, and kept the breed going. Then later, when there was renewed interest in the old breeds, you started to see a lot of hatcheries adding Delawares to their lists of stock. That might sound like a good thing, and in a way, maybe it is, but not all of the hatcheries have been very careful about the amount of "outcrossing" they do in order to produce larger numbers of a truly rare breed (also since the Del color pattern is dominant, it's really easy to do this and still get birds that "look" like Dels). Therefore, some Del breeders tend to differentiate between "hatchery Delawares" and "heritage Delawares." It's a touchy subject, and different breeders have different policies on it. Some never mix lines; others do. It gets more complicated when you consider that not all hatcheries or breeders are equal on the issue. But, for the most part, I'd consider a "heritage" Delaware to be one obtained from a breeder who has taken care to procure and breed from non-hatchery stock.

 

[jeremy]

Must get to work now...