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

[speckledhen]

Adding a few more pics from today.

 

[crazyhen]

I just saw this. They really are growing. Mine are too and I can barely wait to get back to them. Betty tells me every day what they have done. they come running to her now and love to take treats from her hands oh! I will be glad when its me doing that again. Jean

 

[speckledhen]

Hope your DH is doing better, Gloria Jean! You must really miss those youngsters!

 

[speckledhen]

Well, they're 9 weeks old this week. I've decided on the next cockerel to let go. He is goodlooking with a nice comb and precise barring, though there it's a bit more heavy on the white than I would like. Here he is:

 

[skeeter9]

They're sure looking good, Cyn, and growing so quickly!

 

[speckledhen]

My largest Delaware cockerel is as large as most 12 week olds! He's huge! And he's super friendly. He's definitely in the running for my final pick. In this bunch, the boys are tanks and the girls are super feminine.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
I have read that when looking to breed for size one should pick large hens and when looking to breed for egg production one should pick a rooster than comes from a good egg producer. That is: hens pass on size and roosters pass on egg laying ability. Is this something of an old wive's tale, or is there something to it?

 

[Ellie]

These are some really nice looking birds.

 

[speckledhen]

I have also heard that, Tim. I dont really, now how much validity there is to it, though. I only have five pullets, so I will be keeping them all, plus I have one girl who is about 10 months old, and she will be joining these when they are older. She is a stocky girl, as are at least two of the younger ones. So, I think, overall, I have size going on in both sexes of this batch. I don't own their mothers, but I hear they are good producers. I read that the hen is a good layer if her family lines are generally good layers, even if her mother may not be as productive. I don't own enough mother-daughter combinations to really be able to verify it.

 

[TimG]

I've skimmed through the relevant sections of Genetics of the Fowl and haven't found any support for this. There is specific note that proficient egg laying has been shown not to be sex-linked. This text is over 50 years old, though.