Breeding Delawares to the Standard of Perfection

[NYREDS]

For my money there's no better place to start than chicks from Kathy Bonham-if she's still selling them that is.. Mine came from her & they've done very well for me. I even got a couple on Champion Row last year. They got a lot of attention everywhere I showed them. People said they didn't know there were any Delawares like them. They are so much larger than the birds most people have seen. They grow fast & lay well. I only kept a pen of 4 over the winter this year & I gat 3 eggs almost every day. They even laid through the molt! So far I've set 58 eggs & all but 1 has hatched. There may be other good strains out there but I've been around for quite awhile & until Kathy created these it had been decades since I last saw decent Delawares.

 

[finnfur]

For my money there's no better place to start than chicks from Kathy Bonham-if she's still selling them that is.. Mine came from her & they've done very well for me. I even got a couple on Champion Row last year. They got a lot of attention everywhere I showed them. People said they didn't know there were any Delawares like them. They are so much larger than the birds most people have seen. They grow fast & lay well. I only kept a pen of 4 over the winter this year & I gat 3 eggs almost every day. They even laid through the molt! So far I've set 58 eggs & all but 1 has hatched. There may be other good strains out there but I've been around for quite awhile & until Kathy created these it had been decades since I last saw decent Delawares.

Thats real good news and I agree even though we don't show.
There is a thread for breeders of that line here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/777172/delawares-from-kathyinmo/1110

in addition to this one - please join us more and share your knowledge.

 

[NYREDS]

Thats real good news and I agree even though we don't show.
There is a thread for breeders of that line here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/777172/delawares-from-kathyinmo/1110

in addition to this one - please join us more and share your knowledge.

I rarely check this site anymore & even more rarely post. There are many people here who know much more than I do.

 

[capayvalleychick]

I rarely check this site anymore & even more rarely post. There are many people here who know much more than I do.

That's too bad. We need all the help we can get with this breed. There don't seem to be any veteran breeders who have experience with Delawares.

I notice the edit fairies toyed with your original message.

 

[NYREDS]

That's too bad. We need all the help we can get with this breed. There don't seem to be any veteran breeders who have experience with Delawares.

I notice the edit fairies toyed with your original message.

"Fairies" I like that-not PC though. Another reason I'm about done with this site. I usually mean what I say & having it constantly changed is annoying.

 

[capayvalleychick]

"Fairies" I like that-not PC though. Another reason I'm about done with this site. I usually mean what I say & having it constantly changed is annoying.

You of all people, calling me not PC ... LOL! Seriously though, I need someone else to answer my never ending questions besides Walt. You are having success with these Dels. WE NEED YOU.

Maybe they can give you freedom of speech on the SOP threads. You aren't going to offend anyone here.

 

[Zanna]

You of all people, calling me not PC ... LOL! Seriously though, I need someone else to answer my never ending questions besides Walt. You are having success with these Dels. WE NEED YOU.

Maybe they can give you freedom of speech on the SOP threads. You aren't going to offend anyone here.

X2, we really do need you!!!

 

[finnfur]

NYREDS
Question - everyone with the Kathyinmo line of Dels says they are feathering out slow.
That doesn't bother me but have you seen that trend with those you have.
How many generations are you past the F4s ?
Another Del show breeder has told me they run separate lines to produce the Hens and Cocks for show.
Are you using that strategy ?

 

[NYREDS]

NYREDS
Question - everyone with the Kathyinmo line of Dels says they are feathering out slow.
That doesn't bother me but have you seen that trend with those you have.
How many generations are you past the F4s ?
Another Del show breeder has told me they run separate lines to produce the Hens and Cocks for show.
Are you using that strategy ?

One last answer. No, I don't find that they feather slowly, quite the opposite. However, since I've never had any other Delaware strain I have nothing to compare them with that would be "apples to apples". They feather as fast or faster than anything else I am currently raising. I am in F6 now. I single mate, as I do with most breeds. That said, it seems to be a female line. The females seem to be better than the males.

That about does it for me. To those of you who have literally sent me hundreds of emails & PMs over the years-hope I was able to help. To the 500+ who gave me "Ovations"-thanks for your support. I think I'm about BYC'd out. Tired of the whining. Tired of people unable to engage in adult exchanges which sometimes involve disagreeing passionately.

YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN WALT!

 

[gjensen]

NYREDS, I enjoy reading your posts. One of the few posters that I do stop and read. I hope that you continue.