Breeding Delawares to the Standard of Perfection

[caychris]

Genetics is the number one factor concerning performance. Management is secondary.

I do not buy into the excessively high protein % methods. I have weighed a lot of growing birds, and there is a point where money gets wasted. 24% game bird starter is not unrealistic up to 8wks, but more is a waste.

Keep in mind that some recommendations for more is for birds on low protein forage. You might be feeding them 30%, but they are not taking that in.

Young birds running all over the field after pullets will not get excellent rates. I prefer them to be confined up to 6-8wks, at which point I separate them, and put them on "grass". From that point on, I want my pullets raised differently (and separately) from my cockerels. There are no advantages, and only disadvantages to pushing pullets. Manage them well, and let the genetics talk.

Chicks use up a lot of energy to stay warm. Keep them warm a little longer if the rates matter to you.

You would be surprised how much improvement can be had from management alone. It is a series of small victories, and not one big one.

Good info

 

[ChickCrazed]

Hi, does anyone have chicks for sale? My incubator crapped out so hatching eggs are not my first choice, but could be a possibility if that is all I can find. Thank you in advance!

 

[4MYBUB]

...

I'm looking for some Delaware's to breed.  I've made a few contacts here and there but nothing is happening yet.  I'm looking for birds bred to the SOP but also with production in mind.  I want those dual purpose qualities.  I just bought an incubator so I can hatch eggs but I would also go with chicks or larger birds.  I can travel but I'm not sure how far I want to wonder from Southeast PA as I'm a dairy farmer and don't have a whole day to drive.

If anybody has what I'm looking for either reply or PM me.

thanks,
Matt

Hi Matt I'm in lower Delaware & my son & I just purchased a roo & 4 hens. Hopefully we will have some fertile eggs for you shortly. His are 14weeks

 

[caychris]

Quote: Do you know what line these are? Might be interested in fertile eggs spring next year

 

[caychris]

Anyone in this thread willing to contribute knowledge to a Delaware breeder database (really just a quick and dirty listing trying to determine who may have related birds) please do so at

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q9mQX7DxSpMiZzUU20QGMxOgPOxJZJdWz9xRNzXk0us/edit?usp=sharing

Just trying to find a way to get interested people info on the available lines of these birds.

Since neither group (BYC or FB) is a good platform for collecting this info I thought Id offer to host a place.

 

[shorttimer]

Thanks Chris for getting this started. I think this is a very valuable tool for making this breed really become main stream again. Even though I was unable to get any Dels, this first time around, I'm learning & preparing for what it will take to do a good job with breeding chickens. Dels were my first choice to get, however it just didn't work out like I wanted due to the limitations of proper Del lines. I know one day I will have some and in the mean time I will learn as much as I can about chicken husbandry. I am currently 3 1/2 hrs south of you, but I may relocate to some place outside of CA where I can have some acreage, more than likely north. I can't have roosters here in town, so breeding them would be difficult in my present location.

 

[caychris]

Thanks Chris for getting this started. I think this is a very valuable tool for making this breed really become main stream again. Even though I was unable to get any Dels, this first time around, I'm learning & preparing for what it will take to do a good job with breeding chickens. Dels were my first choice to get, however it just didn't work out like I wanted due to the limitations of proper Del lines. I know one day I will have some and in the mean time I will learn as much as I can about chicken husbandry. I am currently 3 1/2 hrs south of you, but I may relocate to some place outside of CA where I can have some acreage, more than likely north. I can't have roosters here in town, so breeding them would be difficult in my present location.

What did you end up with

 

[shorttimer]

I have 2 Barred Rocks, 3 Buff Orpingtons & 3 Black Australorps. The BAs are not as friendly as the others. Maybe they'll come around. All part of the chicken experience.

 

[caychris]

I have 2 Barred Rocks, 3 Buff Orpingtons & 3 Black Australorps. The BAs are not as friendly as the others. Maybe they'll come around. All part of the chicken experie

Possibly attention does seem to work on most chickens

 

[kayakfish]

I have a Boham Flock that are 13 weeks old, and I am selling all of them due to time restrictions, and the lost interest of the local 4-hers that I started this flock for.
I live in Cumberland VA and I have 2 roosters, and 9 hens left.
All 11 for $200.00 or $25.00 each, these birds came from FinnFurs stock.