Breeding Delawares to the Standard of Perfection

[timbowsr]

Hello Guys, awesome thread!! Just what I've been looking for!

I'm getting my Delaware breeding program started this year. I had one rooster that I had bought from a local breeder, and we loved him. After researching the breed we decided to keep Delaware exclusively and went back to the breeder for more but he had switched breeds ;-(

We purchased a dozen eggs from Chickcharney farms out of NC, but due to incubator difficulties only had two hatch ... one cockerel and one pullet. I was happy with this but wanted more so after searching on facebook my daughter found another breeder of Delaware about an hour away and we were able to purchase 12 two day old chicks. With these I got 11 pullets and 1 cockerel.

I was planning on taking my original rooster and cross with the NC pullet, and the NC cockerel with the best of the local breeders stock and then do spiral breeding between the pens, of course always selecting for improvement. But then I read the last few posts about line breeding and not sure anymore ... but geesh I'm having fun!!

 

[gjensen]

Hello Guys, awesome thread!! Just what I've been looking for!

I'm getting my Delaware breeding program started this year. I had one rooster that I had bought from a local breeder, and we loved him. After researching the breed we decided to keep Delaware exclusively and went back to the breeder for more but he had switched breeds ;-(

We purchased a dozen eggs from Chickcharney farms out of NC, but due to incubator difficulties only had two hatch ... one cockerel and one pullet. I was happy with this but wanted more so after searching on facebook my daughter found another breeder of Delaware about an hour away and we were able to purchase 12 two day old chicks. With these I got 11 pullets and 1 cockerel.

I was planning on taking my original rooster and cross with the NC pullet, and the NC cockerel with the best of the local breeders stock and then do spiral breeding between the pens, of course always selecting for improvement. But then I read the last few posts about line breeding and not sure anymore ... but geesh I'm having fun!!

It is not as much about the method as it is the selection.

 

[timbowsr]

It is not as much about the method as it is the selection.

I completely agree. The pairing I suggested is just to get started so that I do have stock to select from. Guess I was just fishing for advice.

BTW, do any of ya'll band your chickens? If so, can you recommend the correct size of bands?

 

[gjensen]

I completely agree. The pairing I suggested is just to get started so that I do have stock to select from. Guess I was just fishing for advice.

BTW, do any of ya'll band your chickens? If so, can you recommend the correct size of bands?

That was my advice. LOL. Many people use many methods. The best birds are bred by those that know how to select and pair up those birds. I like to emphasize that because it is helpful. I had, for a time, a love affair with the different methods. They are helpful to know. You will decide along the way what fits your management style.

You will likely need to mark your birds somehow. When you shop for the bands, you will see how they are sized. I toe punch, and that is enough for me, most of the time. I band some birds some times for different reasons.

 

[DawnridgeFarm]

We band and toe punch. The banding is for NPIP testing and we weigh our birds every 2 weeks from 6 wk to 20 to track weight gain. A big problem for the Delaware has been being at full weight by 12-14 wks as they were back in the 1950's.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

We band and toe punch. The banding is for NPIP testing and we weigh our birds every 2 weeks from 6 wk to 20 to track weight gain. A big problem for the Delaware has been being at full weight by 12-14 wks as they were back in the 1950's.

I wonder what they considered "full weight" in the 1950s.

Found a link: http://www.nationalchickencouncil.org/about-the-industry/statistics/u-s-broiler-performance/

I'll save you a click ... It says 3.08 lbs live weight at 70 days was the industry standard for broilers in 1950.

That's like 1/2 the size in twice the time as a modern patented meat bird. And reading the feed conversion column will make you weep.

But at least the slower growing birds have some flavor and texture. And they're self-replicating.

 

[DawnridgeFarm]

American Standard of Perfection!

 

[timbowsr]

Hey guys. Here's my lead rooster. I don't have a copy of the SOP yet ( just not in the budget ), but hopefully will soon. Please tell me what you think. Don't pull any punches, I want to know the good, bad and the ugly. I plan on really, really, really trying to achieve the SOP ... or at least work towards that goal!

He's right at one year old. I think he has a problem with his wings for sure, but don't know what you call that where those bottom feathers are separate. I believe he should have five points on the cone, but not sure how you count them up, or if you include the front and back of the cone? He does have a teepee tail although its hard to tell from these pics. I think he has good head size and shape but the feathers on his neck do have a slight discoloration ... not much, but it's there.

All thoughts and criticisms are welcome! Thanks.

 

[shorttimer]

Very nice looking bird, SOP or not.

 

[gjensen]

We band and toe punch. The banding is for NPIP testing and we weigh our birds every 2 weeks from 6 wk to 20 to track weight gain. A big problem for the Delaware has been being at full weight by 12-14 wks as they were back in the 1950's.

"Full weight" is a processing weight.

A reasonable processing weight @ 14wks for this breed would be 5 - 5 1/2 lbs. live weight. Not many would achieve this, but it is a reasonable goal to have. That would also require good management and vigor.

For most strains the rate of sexual maturity is fine, but they lack the carcass. It requires later dates to achieve any carcass at all. There are some that do not lack the carcass, and even reach sizes well above Standard weights, but are slow to develop.

An outcross may be necessary to make any real progress any time soon concerning this individual point.