Delaware Chickens ???

[WindyOaksYokes]

I was wondering if anyone out there has any Delaware Chickens. I have read the "scientifics" on them alredy but would like to know from personal exsperiances. Are they anything like Buff Orpingtons as far as their broodiness? At what approximate age do they start laying? Friendliness... ect...
I would appreciate any info that can be provided...
Thank you....Tes

 

[speckledhen]

I hatched four, two cockerels and two pullets. At a few weeks old, they began attacking all my Speckled Sussex and plucking all the tailfeathers and backfeathers from them. (not a space issue, believe me) In the space of two hours, they had, as a group, plucked seven other birds, plus one of my Ameraucana pullets. She was bloody and had to stay in the house for a week. I think it may have been the quills coming in on most of the SS cockerels-just too tempting for them, but it was only them. I put them in a large dog kennel for two weeks so the others could heal. After that, they were the ones running for their lives, LOL. They were just super aggressive and extremely flighty. I got them because of the jumbo eggs, but decided not to keep any and sold every one. That isn't the norm, probably, but I've heard others mention the aggressiveness of theirs lately.

 

[EweSheep]

A good friend of mine has only Delaware pullets she said they are "people personality" and gentle. Laid big sized eggs....her flock came from Meyers and Ideal.

Pretty birds tho!

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

Thanks for the replies... I will also wait and see if any others reply...

Speckled - you said you had sussex... I was wondering about them also! It says that they are wonderful egg layers and gentle... anything else you can tell me about them? Are they bantams or regulars?

 

[serendipity22]

I've got 15 Delawares in my flock of 50+. Granted, they're not old enough to lay yet, but so far, they're quite personable and gets along easily with the rest of the flock.

I'm ready to see their eggs! But that's probably a few months away.

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

Serendipity - Thank you for replying... sent you an email.

 

[speckledhen]

I have one Speckled Sussex pullet, Nelda, who is 19 weeks old and not yet laying. She is beautiful and very sweet, but I hatched six cockerels and two pullets. All were very skittish for a long time. None ever got really friendly and I sold all of them except Nelda, who was the friendliest of the bunch. I'll let you know how she lays, but the eggs they all came from were huge eggs. Hopefully, she'll lay some that nice.

 

[JacobsRewardFarm]

Tes,
I have 24 Delawares in a pasture tractor, but I have not socialized them much, as they are eventually headed for the freezer. I do have to go in their tractor and tend to them twice a day, so we do have some relationship. They are not shy. In fact, they peck me like crazy when I go in to fill their food and water. But we "understand" each other and I can just move them out of my way when I need to. Of course, they don't lay yet, and won't, before they go to that big Chicken Tractor in the Sky, so I can't speak about their eggs. They are straight run so I have roos and hens. They really are pretty, and I enjoy sitting and watching them after I've done my chores. Part of me would love to save out a big beautiful Deli roo, but DH says no roos. :-(

I picked them because I wanted to have the hatcheries (mine came from Ideal) continue to breed them -- they are a rare breed, as you probably know. I wanted a hardy breed that could forage in the pasture in addition to broiler feed. They won't be giant chickens come processing time, but they have been very little trouble and fun to have around.

Mine are not show quality, but I've really enjoyed them and think they are striking to look at.

Cindy T.
Parker, TX

 

[kcfuerst]

I have two Delaware pullets in my flock of 10. Mystery is the largest Delaware pullet I have and is the head chickenmistress. Moonshine is considerably smaller and is a loner. Both are friendly as can be. Mystery jumps on my shoulder at night from her roost for lovins before they all go to sleep. She has jumped up from the floor onto my shoulder on occasion just to be near me (and maybe a head higher than everyone else). During the day when I go into their pen, all the pullets gather around and wait for me to pick them up. Currently six months old, both are great egg layers since age 19 weeks. Can't say their eggs are jumbo, more like average. Maybe with time they will get bigger. Always lay their eggs in the nest. They are striking, hardy birds. I must say, however, if they didn't take so many dirtbaths they could be a lot whiter. They are delightful.

Mystery

Moonshine

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

Thanks for the pictures... they sure are beautiful!!! And thank you for the infomation...
Jacob - How big is that tractor??? Looks like it was real easy to make!!! I have some of that piping just laying around the farm... hmmm... Light bulb going off in head... I have been trying to figure a way to take care of the babies when they come next spring without adding onto the coop itself as we are also building a barn...

K8tie - Just beautiful!!! I love their names LOL...

Thanks again for the info and pics!!!
Tes