Breeding Delawares to the Standard of Perfection

[crazyhen]

I was getting worried because we got down to 1/2 egg average a day from 5 Del and two EE hens - this is been at least 6>7 weeks + .If it doesn't change soon we will have to do the unthinkable - BUY EGGS

I got way down too, then because it was turnning cold and they were molting STILL . I decided to put lights in the building and outside in the run thats enclosed so they could eat and stay a bit warmer. Yeh! I am getting 4 eggs a day now. They had a rest of over a month so I figured it was time to rejoin the workers

I have 14 hens of varying ages .I will be so glad when they truly finish this molt. This is the worst one I have had in 6 yrs.
My roo from Kathy is not right with the tail but after this molt I will know more. He is broad and the contour was about right but his tail was a mess. His comb is not right either. There are too many points. Later when he is finished this crazy molt I will get a picture and send it to someone. For some reason with this older computer (2000 mel. addition) I can not post pictures here.here.

 

[gjensen]

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I would not use them. There is too many problems, both big and small. It would cost much less to source something that would help you move forward.

 

[capayvalleychick]

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I didn't want to say this, but I agree.

George, who is that breeder in FL (or somewhere around there) who is doing a good job with her Dels? She would be a good resource for those on that side of the country to source Delawares.

 

[Zanna]

I didn't want to say this, but I agree.

George, who is that breeder in FL (or somewhere around there) who is doing a good job with her Dels? She would be a good resource for those on that side of the country to source Delawares.

The breeder is Luanne D'Amico, Cpartist on here but I think she is on here very little. Her website is eightacresfarm.weebly.com and has some good photos of her stock. She is a great lady, I got my start in New Hampshires from her and they were very nice birds several years ago and I would be willing to bet she has made some great progress since then. I got some Dels. at the same time and they were pretty much on par with the Dels. of my own that I had at the time.

 

[gjensen]

Luanne has and continues to make steady progress with all of her birds. I have enjoyed seeing the progress from generation to generation. It is a pleasure to see where someone starts and that their birds consistently get better. Not everyone can or is willing to make that kind of commitment, and then realize any sustained success. It is one thing to purchase good birds, and maintain them. It is another to breed up sub standard birds into pretty good birds. I admire people that have that kind of ability. These ground up type efforts are not for the faint of heart. As some of you know.

 

[DuckBoy]

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I have a question i have read that you can breed a del roo to a new hampshire hen and get del looking birds from this. Can you in turn put those birds back into the pool (del/nh) and breed them back to a new del rooster or hen and get pure birds? SEE Below. del roo X NH hen = del/NH look like dels del/nh roo X del hen = dels? del roo X del/nh hen - dels?

 

[capayvalleychick]

I have a question i have read that you can breed a del roo to a new hampshire hen and get del looking birds from this.

Can you in turn put those birds back into the pool (del/nh) and breed them back to a new del rooster or hen and get pure birds? SEE Below.

del roo X NH hen = del/NH look like dels


del/nh roo X del hen = dels?

del roo X del/nh hen - dels?

I see that you got your answer on another thread. You might find this of interest:
http://www.cacklehatchery.com/delaware_x_hampshire_cross.htm

 

[DuckBoy]

I see that you got your answer on another thread. You might find this of interest:
http://www.cacklehatchery.com/delaware_x_hampshire_cross.htm

Some what i am really tring to see if that crossing will improve my current line size, structure etc.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Some what i am really tring to see if that crossing will improve my current line size, structure etc.

You have to use birds with improved size & structure to get better size & structure.

 

[DawnridgeFarm]

Hi all! So glad I found this group to join! My husband and I got our first chicks at the end of this March - 105 straight run of Delawares from a Sustainable Poultry Network breeder in North Carolina. We are part of a network that is committed to bring Heritage birds back to the SOP. We are very happy with our birds are have culled to only keep the best. We now have a flock of 34 hens and 4 roosters, who are are breeding stock. Every hatch will continue to be a culling process to get the Delaware breed back to what it was in the 1950's and 60's. Everyone keep up the great work!