Delaware cockerels

[kryptoniteqhs]

Hello, these are my "Delaware" cockerels. They came as "pullets," but as you can see they are not. They are 5 weeks old. I dont like the way they look. I was hoping Seriousbill and Speckled Hen would chime in and tell me if theres any hope for these guys. They just dont look like delawares. They looks like a dross between a Dellie and a BR. Anyways is there any chance some of that black will go away and they'll look a little more like what theyre supposed to look like? Is this normal for their age? My pullets dont look like that (well maybe one or two of them do--but thats not bad out of 21 hatchery stock).

btw: this whole time ive been wondering "Whats going on with #2s tail?" I just now realized its a plastic bag. No worrys.

roo #1

roo #2

roo #3

 

[sara]

They do appear to be pet/hatchery delaware cockerels. Looks like the last one needs some medical attention since his feet are bleeding.

 

[mikarod]

Agree, looks like hatchery-quality Delawares.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

Quote:
his feet are not bleeding. They are just red like that. I dont know why. I forgot to ask that on here. One of them got caught in a chain link fence (trying to go through it, yes through it). Its foot was sore. I wasnt home, I was on vacation, but they said it didnt bleed at all, just was sore for a bit and then was fine. This one to me looks more like a peck mark. I dont think its serious and I didnt think there was anything I should really do for it other than keep an eye on it. Its not swollen or bleeding or infected. I think the red is just dried blood. Ill go get him and take a closer look. Should I put neo-sporin on it or anything else?

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

Quote:
so they wont grow out of the black anymore?? are they done with that part? or will they possibly improve a little. I just cant see selling them as Delawares when they barely even look like it lol

 

[CovenantCreek]

Don't worry, the black will go away. They're too young to determine how they'll look as adults -- except to say they are cockerels and could end up looking like my Rooster Boy.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
I agree. What they look like now is definitely not what they'll end up looking like as adults. If you can keep them long enough for them to go through a molt or two, you'll be surprised I'm sure.

 

[shelleyb1969]

If it's any consolation

, krypto, I've got 5 Dellie cockerels right now, 7 weeks old, that I'm trying to hang on to until they get a little older...I just can't tell yet which one is going to have the best type and color.

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

ya thats what i was thinking of doing from the beginning, but since they were so much darker than the others i didnt know if they had a chance to become beautiful again haha

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

Here is one of the Delaware pullets from the same hatch. She is a tad on the small side and I dont like her tail "markings", but other than that I think she is nice. There are several others like her. Again, 5 weeks old. She DOES have some barring on her hackles, but you cant see it in these pictures because its so little.