Delaware chickens

[Chiknlady28]

Hello! New to Delaware chickens but not to raising chickens, we however have only had pullets/older hens thus far; we believe this one is a young roo. Very tame, held since day 1, and still docile and easily handled as of today. A few days shy of 16 weeks old. It is MUCH larger than brooder mates. No crowing as of yet. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[JedJackson]

I'm stumped on this one. It looks like a cockerel, but at 16 weeks there should be male specific feathering if it is a boy. Maybe it's just invisible due to the white color. Close ups of the saddle area would help.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I blew the pic up and see rounded saddle feathers.

To me this one looks like a sweet hen in the making.

 

[3KillerBs]

I can't see any male saddles. Perhaps a Delaware that remembers it's broiler heritage.

 

[JedJackson]

Yep, I'm thinking it's a pullet. Just a really big one!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Reminds me of my Early Bloomer Orpington pullet. She's a hen now, but unfortunately she died of heat stroke during the heatwave.

She wasn't very friendly though, like your bird.

 

[JedJackson]

Reminds me of my Early Bloomer Orpington pullet. She's a hen now, but unfortunately she died of heat stroke during the heatwave.
View attachment 2734251View attachment 2734253View attachment 2734254She wasn't very friendly though, like your bird.

I'm sorry you lost your hen. She does seem similar in development to the Delaware.

 

[jolenesdad]

Hello! New to Delaware chickens but not to raising chickens, we however have only had pullets/older hens thus far; we believe this one is a young roo. Very tame, held since day 1, and still docile and easily handled as of today. A few days shy of 16 weeks old. It is MUCH larger than brooder mates. No crowing as of yet. Thoughts? Thanks!

There’s a lot of variation in body sizes in Delawares. This is most definitely a hen. Boys do not have solid tail feathers like that.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I'm sorry you lost your hen. She does seem similar in development to the Delaware.

Thanks, she was a favorite since she was larger then her brooder mates. I was also planning on using her for breeding.

Yes, she does.