Breeding Delawares to the Standard of Perfection

[LeslieDJoyce]

I'll post about the show, next. Which judge is telling you to breed unrelated birds together?

Now you've got me questioning his exact credentials. It was Don Schrider, over in one of the Buckeye pages on facebook. People have been discussing line breeding. He is also who recommended the Whitmore Farms Delawares. Because it was on the Buckeye page I didn't pick his brain too much about Delawares ... Delaware facebook page is pretty quiet.

 

[capayvalleychick]

I learned so much at the show, it was great! Didn't win anything, other than BB (Best of Breed) & RB (Reserve in Breed). Since I was the only one who entered Delawares, that's not much of an accomplishment. But at least I didn't get any DQs!
Don Nelson was the judge for the American class. I don't know him, so I was tentative about asking him to explain his placing of my birds, but he was enthusiastic and happy to answer my questions. He seemed to genuinely be excited to see Delawares in a show. He said they were the best he had ever seen. The one thing that bothered him was the green tinge to the legs. He couldn't understand where that would come from. He loved the pullet (G1) that he gave BB. He said she would have placed Reserve American if she had correct yellow legs.

The rankings of each of my birds (Dorkings also) was a surprise to me. I got a detailed explanation from the judges and the things that made a difference were different than what I thought they would be. For instance, the BB Delaware pullet weighed less than the other two. Her tail markings are the best of the three and her condition was the best. My photos are not the best, but here she is:



I ended up entering three males that I really didn't like, much. My best males did not work out and the runner ups all have issues. So, I was expecting negative feedback on them. Again, to my surprise, most people seemed glad to see Delawares in the show and most comments were positive. I had many discussions about them. Some exhibitors asked how I got them so white. I thought they were kidding, since these birds were filthy before their baths. One exhibitor didn't like R19 (who placed third in cockerels) and asked why I would enter a bird that was missing a feather, said it was an embarrassment. I explained that I brought him to get answers about his very wide tail feathers. Turns out he has good width of feather but they are waffley, which is not good. That's what another judge said, who was a vendor directly across from them. He was more critical of them as a whole, but in a helpful way. Judge Nelson didn't mention the tail feathers, just ranked him last. One of my first questions to him was regarding R20 (Pink zip) who got RB, to my shock. I thought this cockerel would be dq'd for too high of tail. The judge didn't think the high tail was his natural position, just something he did occasionally. That might be the case, since I didn't notice it until I put him in the cage.
One thing that judge Walt pointed out was some poor feather quality on two of them. You can see it where the saddle feathers are sticking out from the body, here:


And you can see it in the same place on the pullet, above.

The pullet O42, that you all liked the best when I posted pullet pictures, took third out of the three pullets. She is the heaviest, but her love of rolling in the dirt stained her feathers. I did the best I could to get her clean, but her condition knocked her down in the ranking.

I have so much more to say but have to go. I am glad that I entered them in a show, even a show that was out of my league. Overall, it turned out to be a positive experience.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Seriously ... How DID YOU get them so white?!?

I'm happy you are showing these birds and then sharing your experience with us. It is fantastic info. I do think you have awesome Dels that could help bring some excitement back to the breed.

I have to giggle about a missing tail feather causing such a fuss. I know that's all part of showing, but ...

 

[finnfur]

I have so much more to say but have to go. I am glad that I entered them in a show, even a show that was out of my league. Overall, it turned out to be a positive experience.

Great job and congratulations - your not out of your league its just the chickens haven't gotten there yet, But they are getting there.
I don't know whats up with person complaining about the missing tail feather because it sure was better than their Del entry . Learning process.
Pullet looks real good. Pinkzips tail does look a little high in that PIC .
Maybe a small brush and some hairspray for some of those saddle feather ? Worked for my hair in high school.
All in all I think you had a great day- "Best Delawares I've ever seen" - Can't beat that and thats not the first time I have heard that statement on this line.
Keep on plugging or as Bob would say " kick that can on down the road"

 

[KittieChick]

So excited, I picked up 36 hatching eggs. I'm splitting the hatch with another guy, and we're gonna have Delawares! I have to thank Finnfur for collecting eggs for me, and for showing me his boys and their girls. Nice looking birds! I'm happy to be able to be a part of this beautiful breed.

 

[finnfur]

So excited, I picked up 36 hatching eggs. I'm splitting the hatch with another guy, and we're gonna have Delawares! I have to thank Finnfur for collecting eggs for me, and for showing me his boys and their girls. Nice looking birds! I'm happy to be able to be a part of this beautiful breed.

It was a pleasure meeting you and welcome to the SDWD group . Good luck on the hatch I hope its good in spite of the egg collection temperatures , Its been cold.
We need pics when they hatch

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Very exciting!

 

[KittieChick]

I have a question. When you decide to share a cock's services with another breeder, how do you address the risks of illness, etc.? I always detect a sort of hysteria around the suggestion of exposure. I understand the need for quarantine and support it, but how does that affect the introduction of new bloodlines?

 

[finnfur]

I have a question. When you decide to share a cock's services with another breeder, how do you address the risks of illness, etc.? I always detect a sort of hysteria around the suggestion of exposure. I understand the need for quarantine and support it, but how does that affect the introduction of new bloodlines?

Not something I have done - I have a closed flock. However it is done and would think min safety would be quarantine .
I think some of the west coaster are doing it maybe they can chime in with procedure.
Maybe also NPIP testing / certification.
What do you do when you take them to a show Kim - quarantine on return ?

 

[capayvalleychick]

What do you do when you take them to a show Kim - quarantine on return ?

I quarantined them for a short time. Probably should have been longer (maybe a month) but this show was so strictly scrutinized that I didn't feel it necessary. I had to put the males in isolation, now, anyway because they would fight if I put them back with the group. I did check them for parasites.

If Kittiechick is talking about loaning a rooster to someone else on their property, I'm not sure that I would consider that.