Delaware Chickens ???

[sunnysideup2]

I have one Delaware pullet. She is very pretty and easy to get along with, but she does not like to be handled like the rest of the pullets. She is quite independent and bold. My Dominiques are snugglers.

 

[Chicken cas]

I have 3 Delawares. They are young ( not quite laying age 4-5 months) but growing and fairly friendly. Keeping in mind my sister got them for me and they were not handled or messed with a lot. I think they are fairly friendly and other than the typical fluffing and play they do not seem to be aggressive to each other or my dogs, cats or humans. They are great about going to bed even if it isn't quite late enough. I think I have 2 roos and one hen. If this turns out to be true I wil be looking to trade or sell one roo.

 

[mizjones]

Gorgeous! That last one would make a nice framed photo maybe.

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

 

[missy1971]

I have 3 Del's the are about 5 wks...and they certainly have a personality of their own. Love them!!

 

[Clash]

I'm frustrated... I bought a Delaware chick from the local farm store here... said Docile breed. I have been putting my chicks out with the adult chickens to get them used to each other. I do it for about an hour every other day and bring the chicks back inside... up until today, no issues... the 3-4 week old Delaware chick/pullet started attacking my Buff Orpington, pecking at it's feet and face. WTH is wrong with this breed of chicken? I've read that another person had 2 and they had to cull them because they kept attacking the other chickens... I'm about to cull this little one at 4 weeks, because I'm not going to put up with that crap. Who says these are docile? I was seriously worried the Buff Orpington (1 year old) was going to get it's eye's pecked out for coming up to say 'Hi!'. It's really sad, I thought she would be a beautiful addition to my brood.

 

[missy1971]

I'm frustrated... I bought a Delaware chick from the local farm store here... said Docile breed. I have been putting my chicks out with the adult chickens to get them used to each other. I do it for about an hour every other day and bring the chicks back inside... up until today, no issues... the 3-4 week old Delaware chick/pullet started attacking my Buff Orpington, pecking at it's feet and face. WTH is wrong with this breed of chicken? I've read that another person had 2 and they had to cull them because they kept attacking the other chickens... I'm about to cull this little one at 4 weeks, because I'm not going to put up with that crap. Who says these are docile? I was seriously worried the Buff Orpington (1 year old) was going to get it's eye's pecked out for coming up to say 'Hi!'. It's really sad, I thought she would be a beautiful addition to my brood.

In sorry for your troubles ...i have 3 and they have been the flock, basically from the beginning. No issues here, but my buffs put all of them in check pretty quick

 

[Clash]

I'm afraid that if I let one mean hen into the bunch, she might make them all mean... my little leghorn, Lucy, is the friendliest chicken I've ever met; I wouldn't want something bad happen to her. She's also the leader and the smartest of the bunch. I'm afraid the big fat Delaware chick, once grown will easily over-power the bunch. I'll wait and see what happens, maybe I'm over-reacting.

 

[Clash]

I'm wondering if she decided she was "Mom" of the other two chicks I bought, a Welsummer, and a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte. Would a 4 week chick protect the other chicks? She's almost twice the size of the other two. They hang together and don't seem to want to wander over to the other 1 year olds. (I started my brood last year) I have 6, 1 year olds and 3 chicks I bought earlier this month.

 

[missy1971]

I'm wondering if she decided she was "Mom" of the other two chicks I bought, a Welsummer, and a Blue Laced Red Wyandotte. Would a 4 week chick protect the other chicks? She's almost twice the size of the other two. They hang together and don't seem to want to wander over to the other 1 year olds. (I started my brood last year) I have 6, 1 year olds and 3 chicks I bought earlier this month.

Im far from an expert, but I've had the same worries, I've introduced several into my flock, and just kept an eye on them, and even had the small ones in a total fenced pen so that the others could get used to them being there. That actually worked very well. With them being so small, they really didn't need to deal with the pecking order due to them being so small. They will deal with that when they are a little older and mostly give as good as they get, even if they aren't the top chicken, they will figure out their place.

 

[3riverschick]

Kathyinmo recreated the Delaware with advice from from veteran breeders. if you're looking for nice Delaware look for some that are descended from Kathy's Birds.
Best,
Karen