Chick Sneezing Blood- 6 Week Old Delaware

[speckledhen]

Isaac is a treasure and seems very attached to me. I love the boy, but I will be keeping a Barred Rock rooster out of the upcoming hatch--those are my first love, as you know. I'm not sure there is a place for Ike if he can't be a breeder. I'm not even sure he has anything to do with this, but I won't take the chance again, not even breeding him with the Ameraucanas.


Gracie was Kira's daughter. Could be that she is who you were thinking about. When you got eggs from me, Georgie was of laying age. They all began laying within a couple weeks of each other at that time and I think Gracie was the first Del hatched from this flock.

I got you all interested in the breed so I feel like my mission was completed. Rocks are really more my thing and always have been. The new coop is for my bantams, but as with most of the coops, it may change function some day.

I told Kathy today that I really want her to get her new Del line established. The breed really needs it!

 

[PepsNick]

This is very interesting to know. Cyn, please don't feel bad. My dwarf is alone and will live well until it's death. I am so sorry about this. Since you're not breeding Dels anymore, are you going to breed the BR's? They are also my favorite breed.

I am very happy with my other Delawares. Your stock certainly have a legacy, almost all of the SDWDers have your grandchickens.

 

[speckledhen]

I appreciate that, Nick. Isaac and the ladies have produced some fine kids, that's for sure. I plan to keep several BR pullets and a BR rooster from the hatch and so if I still have Ike and they are in the same flock, guess I can separate out the hens that I want to be mated up with the BR for a few weeks, then bring him in to breed them.

 

[joletabey]

Cyn, you DID do a great thing, getting us all interested in Dels and mentoring us. You have my eternal gratitude for that. You do!

Kathy, breeding choices are SO hard, I know how you loved Jacob. But if we are all going to do the best we can by this breed, we need to eradicate this dwarfing thing. This is going to be tough.

Nick, you need to keep a close eye on - uh, male version of Luna would be Luno? There may be a time coming when the little thing will be in pain, not able to walk well, etc. and you will need to be strong and let him go on. I could tell mine was hurting.

 

[speckledhen]

Choices are very hard in this type genetic issue. This is why it's best to have ID on every bird and follow it as it grows so you can choose wisely who to keep and who to let go. At the moment, Isaac is my main flock protector and a darn good one, plus he has a very calm, sweet personality-you can't get a better rooster than Ike, you just can't. And this may have nothing to do with Isaac, could be just Georgie, but I can never be truly sure. If I had to let him live elsewhere, it wouldn't feel very good, thinking he'd wonder where I went and why he wasn't at home. That empathy makes it so hard to think like a real breeder! If anything, he could go live with Ladyhawk and be her DH's buddy. I know he'd be spoiled rotten just like he deserves and he could meet back up with DeDe.

 

[PepsNick]

Ladyhawk would LOVE that, Cyn. And if you need somehwere for Ellie and Georgie, you can let me know. I won't be breeding, so I don't care about genes. Also, I know how you've described Isaac as one of the best Dels in the US. Now, thinking of that, this sucks even more. So glad that I have been able to see him.

Beth, I am going to be strong and do it tomorrow. I don't want it to suffer, not even begin to. Though I think that it already has.

Wait, you said Jacob was. Did he die??

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
No, no, no.... Jacob did not die. I can not use him for breeding, because he carries the dwarfing gene, so I sold him.

 

[joletabey]

Nick, good man. Your heart is in the right place.

Cyn, Isaac can guard a laying flock for you, and be your best bud.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

So sorry to hear about this.

I never did understand genetics.

 

[PepsNick]

Thank you all.