Breeding Delawares to the Standard of Perfection

[finnfur]

. Picture the Schilling birds in this view.

I try to but I would think that the Schilling if represented by #1 would have less tail angle-
Do these appear to be pics of a standing bird or / squatting/roosting position ?
These overheads have made me start judging my stock differently - been good , productive conversation

 

[gjensen]

I try to but I would think that the Schilling if represented by #1 would have less tail angle-
Do these appear to be pics of a standing bird or / squatting/roosting position ?
These overheads have made me start judging my stock differently - been good , productive conversation

I get what you are saying. It is not as clear as I make it sound, but it is not much more either.

I believe that if you considered the points made in the illustration, you would not end up too far off. Break it down into individual characteristics initially. Avoid, the excessive fluff, and loose feathering. Avoid narrow birds. Avoid birds that taper from shoulders, and show preference to birds that carry their width through. Certainly the Del will have a little more tail (I think they should. The black tails should be a highlight), and lift. But looking at them from above, you are looking for open tails that are not pinched. You can evaluate the rest in the profile.

I do not want to, and I have tried not to, be especially specific in my comments. There is some room for interpretation, and opinion. At some point we decide how we should go. I think if it fits within the boundaries of the Standard description, it is difficult to argue. Then it boils down to opinions on particulars.

You guys do not have the benefits of more established breeds like the Reds, and Leghorns. As you guys move along, perhaps you will make it more clear to those that follow.

 

[finnfur]

I get what you are saying. It is not as clear as I make it sound, but it is not much more either.

I believe that if you considered the points made in the illustration, you would not end up too far off. Break it down into individual characteristics initially. Avoid, the excessive fluff, and loose feathering. Avoid narrow birds. Avoid birds that taper from shoulders, and show preference to birds that carry their width through. Certainly the Del will have a little more tail (I think they should. The black tails should be a highlight), and lift. But looking at them from above, you are looking for open tails that are not pinched. You can evaluate the rest in the profile.

I do not want to, and I have tried not to, be especially specific in my comments. There is some room for interpretation, and opinion. At some point we decide how we should go. I think if it fits within the boundaries of the Standard description, it is difficult to argue. Then it boils down to opinions on particulars.

You guys do not have the benefits of more established breeds like the Reds, and Leghorns. As you guys move along, perhaps you will make it more clear to those that follow.

Ok the problem is the ones that have good type , based on new way to look at them , don't have the best color . So going forward I should pick the type over a bird that has some bleed thru ? Still eliminating any with the wing problem and other obvious faults. The next two weeks I am back to the drawing board selecting Hens for breeding LOL

 

[gjensen]

Ok the problem is the ones that have good type , based on new way to look at them , don't have the best color . So going forward I should pick the type over a bird that has some bleed thru ? Still eliminating any with the wing problem and other obvious faults. The next two weeks I am back to the drawing board selecting Hens for breeding LOL

Emphasize type, but do not lose your color. It isn't a complicated color, but it is not an easy color. It is not out of the question to put more effort into fixing the color after getting into a hole. Certainly prioritize type, but do not back yourself into a corner.

I couldn't say what choices to make. It might be wise to hold on to somebody, even if they were not used this spring. A reserve of color, so to speak. I would be concerned, and hesitant about bleed through. If that was to get fixed in the flock, you would have your hands full getting it out. It could even take going back to the Barred Rock. The right clean males on one side might help now.
Try to hold on to a female or two with good colored tails until you have something better to replace them with. A Delaware hen is sharp when she has a well marked tail, and that it will be difficult anyways.

I am in a similar place. I have and will do some experimenting, holding on to a few just in case. I am in a difficult enough place that I could make it worse. I intend to hatch a lot of birds this year. I need the variability to select from.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I think we've got plenty of type to work with in this project -- really solid curvy birds with wide heads & tails. Glitches seem to be in the wings, and the color. At least that's how my culling is working here.

 

[finnfur]

I think we've got plenty of type to work with in this project -- really solid curvy birds with wide heads & tails. Glitches seem to be in the wings, and the color. At least that's how my culling is working here.

Yes there is plenty to work with but I may not have been picking picking for the right direction- It seems like the large good type have wing issue or bleed thru/ or brassy.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I'm going in circles a bit myself about my breeding goals vs. reality.

Regarding the antique photos ... if I could only choose between 2, 3, or 4 I think I'd choose 4. But then I don't know enough about feathers to know how possible it might be to go from a fluffy line to a more sleek one.

But then I'm new to breeding so I also don't know how hard it might be to turn a narrow or triangular line into a wide rectangular one ... though there are plenty of people working at it.

 

[finnfur]

I'm going in circles a bit myself about my breeding goals vs. reality.

Regarding the antique photos ... if I could only choose between 2, 3, or 4 I think I'd choose 4. But then I don't know enough about feathers to know how possible it might be to go from a fluffy line to a more sleek one.

But then I'm new to breeding so I also don't know how hard it might be to turn a narrow or triangular line into a wide rectangular one ... though there are plenty of people working at it.

Yes my first choice was #4 also - till I read the caption.
I need to look for rectangular but tight feathered//

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Yes my first choice was #4 also - till I read the caption.
I need to look for rectangular but tight feathered//

I knew form a breeding injury last year I should hope for tighter feathering and had read up on that a bit. The F5s look pretty fluffy to be honest, and the pullets are all feathers, but the feathers don't lift too much in the wind and their fluff is super dense!

 

[3riverschick]

I knew form a breeding injury last year I should hope for tighter feathering and had read up on that a bit. The F5s look pretty fluffy to be honest, and the pullets are all feathers, but the feathers don't lift too much in the wind and their fluff is super dense!

Hi Leslie,
I sure would like to know what you found out about tighter feathering. It's something I wish to keep in my Light Sussex.
Thanks,
Karen