Delaware hen tail-feathers black vs. barred, how to get?

[seriousbill]

Quote:
hens should be a little lighter/less barring in the hackle. The picture of the hen you posted has about the same hackle pigment as the one I posted. This hen in particular, which was actually an older pullet at the time of the picture has ideal coloration and body confirmation. Many of the hens that I have seen on various websites have too much barring.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion; and I'm entitled equally to mine. The standard makes no distinction between the degree of hackle barring in males and females (in either the text or the illustration). And I've certainly never heard another breeder mention it. But tastes vary from place to place.

As to whether the hen you posted is ideal in color and body type, well, you're entitled to your opinion on that too. Mine differs. I think that hen is not deep enough from back to belly. But she's a nice enough hen. I mean no offense. Just being honest.

 

[Faverolle]

Quote:
hens should be a little lighter/less barring in the hackle. The picture of the hen you posted has about the same hackle pigment as the one I posted. This hen in particular, which was actually an older pullet at the time of the picture has ideal coloration and body confirmation. Many of the hens that I have seen on various websites have too much barring.

Well, you're entitled to your opinion; and I'm entitled equally to mine. The standard makes no distinction between the degree of hackle barring in males and females (in either the text or the illustration). And I've certainly never heard another breeder mention it. But tastes vary from place to place.

As to whether the hen you posted is ideal in color and body type, well, you're entitled to your opinion on that too. Mine differs. I think that hen is not deep enough from back to belly. But she's a nice enough hen. I mean no offense. Just being honest.

I don't want to start an argument and as you said,we all have our opinions. That's what makes us all individuals.
As far as the standard, that is one of the problems with Dels, it really makes no distinction as far as the degree of barring. One thing I have been told however by many judges and also my grandfather, who had worked with the Dels from very close to their begining up to his recent passing is that the hens will ideally have the lighter barring. I'm no expert by any means but I have been working with them for quite a while and that's what I was told by numerous people who had a decent background with them. Also as I mentioned that picture was when it was a pullet and subsequently has filled out a little more.

 

[speckledhen]

Interesting, Faverolle. That is the first I've ever heard that about the lighter hackles in the females. No idea why it would be true, since as you say, the standard doesn't address it, but it's interesting. There are so many traits to get right on this breed and so little awesome stock to work with, that as long as my hens have barring in the hackles, I would probably not change my culling strategy for that trait. In other words, that would be way down on my list, even if it was something I felt needed to be culled for. Always good to know what longtime breeders say, though.

 

[walkswithdog]

Well, heck... I have a great barred roo and a light barred hen, guess I'll have to pen them up this spring and mark eggs and see what they produce as opposed to the heavily marked hens.

I was also wanting to put him seperately with the one who's neck isn't barred, she has a nicely laced tail. Sounds like a trio so I can see what that does...

Wee more chicken notes...

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

My few dels hit only 13 weeks this week, so I will not be culling the roos until Oct 1 or so. As I only have two pullets, they will have to be keepers for now. Glad to hear the barred lady may be useful to hatch better barred males. I am hoping I can start with the trio until I can get better stock, possibly next spring.

I have not yet found anyone in the immediate vicinity who has Dels, so it is very useful to have this group to come to. Thank you for all your help.

 

[speckledhen]

It's really great to see more folks interested in breeding good quality Delawares and becoming involved in their preservation!

 

[TNpoultrybreeder]

Quote:
Hi JoAnn
I have culled down to 10 - 2 males and 8 females. Next year I plan on hatching a lot and culling a lot.

TNpoultrybreeder

 

[crazyhen]

I have 15 ,4 wk old kathy dels. Also from another mating three hens. The tails have beautiful inverted v pattern to them and they are much widder than the dell I have seen that were from the hatcheries. I really like this group and look forward to next yr. when I can pick and choose the roosters and hens I )want to mate. they are growing rapidly and are a very outgoing group of chicks. I hope we can keep these going and improving acc. to the standard. My hens seem closer to the ideal than my rooster was last time. I know there are at least 4 roos in this group and hope to pick a nice broad , one with wings held right. Wish me luck.