California - Northern

[sewandgrow]

This is the most Ive been able to find so far about the Delaware genetics that gives any real detail as to how to develop the breed from originating stock.

http://thedelclub.webstarts.com/history_of_the_breed.html

I read the link you sent Chris. I bought my Heritage Delawares several years ago from @Lotsapaints in Paso Robles. A beginning to a friendship. I lost my last rooster & recently replaced it with one of Kim's roosters. He is a very "pretty boy" with more color than my original but not as big in size. The Delawares I am hatching for you are from @fortyfivefarm Julie in Madera. She has Heritage Delawares from a different line. The ones you saw at the party.

 

[caychris]

I am learning the hard way that integrating a flock is not easy. Especially with different breeds at different ages. They are getting used to each other slowly. Penny/Pete is still pushing the buffs around but in general nothing too over the top. Im sure when the newer birds are big enough they will become the new enemy. Im going to give the fosters some run time soon and see what the dels make of that.
6 buffs vs 4 dels.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I am learning the hard way that integrating a flock is not easy. Especially with different breeds at different ages. They are getting used to each other slowly. Penny/Pete is still pushing the buffs around but in general nothing too over the top. Im sure when the newer birds are big enough they will become the new enemy. Im going to give the fosters some run time soon and see what the dels make of that.
6 buffs vs 4 dels.

The more you integrate, the easier it gets. The seasoned hens remember that new juveniles come into the flock regularly. My roosters help tremendously with integration also.

 

[caychris]

The more you integrate, the easier it gets. The seasoned hens remember that new juveniles come into the flock regularly. My roosters help tremendously with integration also.

Wish I could have a roo for this very reason. Also why I think red faced penny/pete is a hen.

 

[QueenBubbles]

Does anyone have recommendations or warnings for temperature gauges? I never see them at the feed/pet store but maybe I'm not looking in the right place.
I borrowed one for my first ones, but now I have the 3 new babies and they frequently tell me all is not right, esp in the evening, and having an actual temp reading would make a huge difference in deciding where the heat lamp needs to be. It would also be nice to have an outdoor one so I can monitor coop/run temps, too.
Thanks! Colleen

 

[BCollie]

Quote:
Thank you, I will do this today as soon as my dad gets home from work to help me.

Congrats on all of the babies BCollie! You've done well for your first hatch!

Thank you!! The only problem is that the chicks are a bit sticky after hatching, BUT they're all hatching with no problem so this is a good lesson without anything bad happening.

 

[caychris]

Does anyone have recommendations or warnings for temperature gauges? I never see them at the feed/pet store but maybe I'm not looking in the right place.
I borrowed one for my first ones, but now I have the 3 new babies and they frequently tell me all is not right, esp in the evening, and having an actual temp reading would make a huge difference in deciding where the heat lamp needs to be. It would also be nice to have an outdoor one so I can monitor coop/run temps, too.
Thanks! Colleen

I do know that depending on the type it can be hard to get one that simply measures the air temp if it is mounted somewhere.

I see thermometers at my feed store and they use them in their brooders I have not actually used one in my brooder because I generally give them enough space to be under the lamp or not.

I know sometimes people use multiples especially if using ones with digital readout.

 

[Kaylish]

Hehe thanks, I love her. She's has her head in the brooder all day long. If I take a chick out, she licks it. The chicks scream when she does that, they don't understand that she thinks they're little puppies lol!! She does the same thing to kittens.

It's so cute when dogs do that. My old Staffordshire mix helped my foster a litter of 1 week old kittens once. I'd bottle feed them and then she'd lick them clean and sleep next to them.

We all have that here!

and it's spreading!

 

[BCollie]

Okay, so this is weird...I was going to see if I could catch my dad before work to help me with the baby. I cut a small piece of cardboard and took her out of the brooder to trace the shape of her foot, when I set her down I realized her foot was no longer messed up! Has this ever happened to anyone before? Her leg turns in towards her body so she does step on her own feet a bit, but the toes are no longer all messed up...picture coming in just a second.
Just to jog your memory, this was last night...

 

[BCollie]

And this is this morning.