CSU - Chicken State University- Large Fowl SOP

[rodriguezpoultry]

When I first met Kathy we had some epic online fights.......ahahaha. Since then I have been to her place and consider her a friend. She has something a lot of people don't have. She has the eye to see the bird for what it really is and no longer is dazzled by the exterior or first impression of a bird.


Walt

I remember those! haha!

I completely agree. She's got "the eye" and keeps honing it. Really, great job on your breeding Kathy!

 

[thedragonlady]

When I first met Kathy we had some epic online fights.......ahahaha. Since then I have been to her place and consider her a friend. She has something a lot of people don't have. She has the eye to see the bird for what it really is and no longer is dazzled by the exterior or first impression of a bird. She will probably be embarrassed by all the kudo's, but it does show what kind of results a person can have if they seek out information and don't believe everything they read online without checking it out. None of the success has come easy and while the timeline does seem short, it does not reflect the amount of birds and work she has done.

Her birds in person are much more striking than they are in pictures.

Walt

You are sometimes born with an "Eye". If not , it takes years to develop it. Kathy is one of the lucky ones. I wish she lusted after Buff Orps.We could do a lot of good for the variety.What fun having someone like her to work with !

 

[kathyinmo]

When I first met Kathy we had some epic online fights.......ahahaha. Since then I have been to her place and consider her a friend. She has something a lot of people don't have. She has the eye to see the bird for what it really is and no longer is dazzled by the exterior or first impression of a bird. She will probably be embarrassed by all the kudo's, but it does show what kind of results a person can have if they seek out information and don't believe everything they read online without checking it out. None of the success has come easy and while the timeline does seem short, it does not reflect the amount of birds and work she has done.

Her birds in person are much more striking than they are in pictures.

Walt

Ahhh, yes! I am embarrassed, and humbled. Thank you all very much. Any amount of success I have had is due, in large part, to the mentors I have picked up - mostly here, online! I have learned so much from them and I also research and study alot.

As much as I enjoy my chickens and all the education in the past few years, I think I enjoy harassing Walt just as much.

I will go out and try again to get pictures. Is this spring? Seems like winter here!

 

[dretd]

Delaware
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Posters are again reminded that this thread is not merely an online show, where people post photos of their birds and ask for them to be judged. This is not that kind of thread. Merely posting photos without discussion is not all that helpful. Commentary is vital to CSU.

This thread is dedicated to the discussion of the breed, the challenges in breeding to the SOP and demonstrating of the breed. The Standard of Perfection for the Delaware should drive the discussion. Questions are very welcome. So with that, we're underway!!!! We're here to learn about the Delaware.

So I was looking through and trying to get an idea of Delawares and I guess I am still wondering what the SOP is for the DEL? What are key features to look for and what are major faults? I still feel like I would not be able to identify this breed by the body type and am still going off of coloration. Anyone willing to share their knowledge?!

 

[finnfur]

So I was looking through and trying to get an idea of Delawares and I guess I am still wondering what the SOP is for the DEL? What are key features to look for and what are major faults? I still feel like I would not be able to identify this breed by the body type and am still going off of coloration. Anyone willing to share their knowledge?!

Basic SOP info at the Del club site http://thedelclub.webstarts.com/standards_to_breed_by.html

With Pics

Some one with judging experience will need to help with disqualifications

Tom

 

[kathyinmo]

When I look for my breeders, I look for type over anything else. I am comfortable with the type I am getting in most of my Delawares now, and am now looking at color - feathers.

Build the barn before you paint it, Walt told me.
Bowl shape. Tails - males 40° (female 30°) tail angle - "gradual concave sweep," watch for tail breaks - I don't use them for breeders. Pinched tails were a real problem with my old stock. Not so with my current stock.

I am at the point now where I am just gonna have to experiment (for breeders). Some of them are lightly barred in the hackles, and others are heavily marked. Some (males) have an occasional black feather in their tail, and others have light barring there.

Females - we want tail feathers black edged in white. I find that most of mine start out barred and then they do turn black with white edging. Some take longer than others.

I also found that some had dark marks on their beak, and that changed. Some things I was ready to cull for - I am glad I didn't. I did cull for greenish legs though.....

When looking for my breeders I pay attention to a few things (for type) - width of stance, thick necks (and I prefer fat heads), full, rounded, broad breasts (no flat breasted birds).
Now, looking at coloring is a new experience for me - thus, I will be experimenting.....



I like this male, except I wish he carried his wing more horizontally. Also, notice the black feather in his tail.



I also like this male, and he carries his wing at a better angle.






I have more, but am out of time for right now...... I'll be back.

 

[finnfur]

When I look for my breeders, I look for type over anything else. I am comfortable with the type I am getting in most of my Delawares now, and am now looking at color - feathers.

Build the barn before you paint it, Walt told me.
Bowl shape. Tails - males 40° (female 30°) tail angle - "gradual concave sweep," watch for tail breaks - I don't use them for breeders. Pinched tails were a real problem with my old stock. Not so with my current stock.


.

Kathy- have you found that when you concentrate on culling for the bulk/shape that some of this trim such as tail angle/ width /shape and some other cosmetics are falling in line ? They seem to be a result of the proper "basic barn size and shape" - Or do you think its directly related to the heritage stock you started the project with ?
Tom

 

[1muttsfan]

Are those young roos? The first one's chest is not as full as it could be maybe? Seems like younger males take a while to fill out there, or could it be because he is standing up tall. The two boys are very different in hackle color, which do you prefer? Those hens are gorgeous.

 

[finnfur]

Are those young roos? The first one's chest is not as full as it could be maybe? Seems like younger males take a while to fill out there, or could it be because he is standing up tall. The two boys are very different in hackle color, which do you prefer? Those hens are gorgeous.

At first I thought the same thing on that top Roo - but on a second look I think its just the Pic time frame.
The Roo appears to be starting a lean back or going into crow mode. I don't think that one pic would be representative.
Maybe Kathy is going to put more pics up - I hope

 

[kathyinmo]

I keep trying and trying to post! My power and my satellite server keep going off and on.
Happy Spring!