Delaware Gang @ 5 Weeks Old (newest Pics #96/ 9 Wks Old)

[speckledhen]

That boy was pretty plain by two weeks old, LOL. His comb is actually pretty nice, but he is almost solid white. I do like him alot. Do you think he's George's boy or Fred's?
BTW, my little pullet is opening her injured eye much more now. She is back in the coop with her sibs tonight. And her name is Ellie, after some plucky Ellies I've known.

I've been calling her Miss Ellie all day long.

 

[seriousbill]

I think I know exactly whose boy he is.

My best guess is that he belongs to George and Little Sister (whose neck markings are very light).

If so, here are his parents:

 

[speckledhen]

Never get tired of seeing your George! He's such a looker! Love these boys.Your hen is lovely, too. Honestly, if I didn't need Suede's coop for Suede, I'd keep a second boy, which I know is advisable, but just no room for a #2 at this point.

 

[seriousbill]

Thanks! I'll pass the compliment along to big Georgie tomorrow morning, LOL.

Well, it'll be interesting trying to choose one good fella, though, Cyn.

 

[speckledhen]

My front runner is still my front runner. His comb seems perfect, his markings are great and he's a good size.

 

[seriousbill]

Very good.

Gotta name for that boy yet?

 

[speckledhen]

Not yet, LOL. I'll have to see if my DH has a suggestion.

 

[init4eggs]

I would like to know about the criteria you used to determine which ones to keep and which ones to give away.

 

[Sean-PC]

I'm curious about how to determine a good Delaware too. I have six pullets now, but they're almost all white. No markings to speak of.
They're 4-5 weeks old now so shouldn't they be showing something?
As far as foraging and what not, best I have. Active little buggers to.

 

[speckledhen]

I am no expert on the breed yet. I have noticed from seeing Ideal's Delawares that they have few markings at six weeks old and their type is too slender, very common in hatchery stock. I'm blessed to have Janet teaching me the ins and outs of the breed and I am looking for good body type first of all, a deep, broad body in the boys and the girls. I'm looking for upright, straight combs with five defined points after that. Good barring in hackles (which is really showing on most of these at six weeks), not Columbian Rock-type. Good wing carriage, not droopy, is another feature. Consistent barring in the tail on the males and good tail black on the females is another trait we look for.
I did have a cockerel who was 24 weeks old previously, but neither Janet nor I was satisfied with his comb--I believe it was the first time two lines of Delawares were crossed in her flock and as she said, you just don't really know what that will do until you see the results. We started with a new batch of hatching eggs and are seeing some great results from this one. You just have to know what you are looking for, keep the best of the bunch that are very close to that standard and breed up from there.