Delaware selection help- 7 weeks old~ PLEASE :)

[klf73]

I need to downsize my numbers quickly, especially since I can't get rid of my roos....although I try

the longer I keep these chicks the harder it will be to see them go, especially to be eaten (hence why there are so many roos now

). Is there any way to choose (or exclude) them this young? open to all suggestions......

 

[walkswithdog]

PICTURES help, lots.

 

[klf73]

yeah, I figured, but will have to wait until tomorrow when I move them outside. Hopefully they cooperate...

 

[walkswithdog]

I'm looking at the ones I have, the seven week olds aren't near butcher wt but you know the 12 week olds are looking pretty good.

My culls so far have some of the following faults.

Multiple curled toes on one bird, comb sprigs, greenish or pale legs, one has very low wing carriage. Right now I'm not looking at culling for feather color unless it's serious. Size is more important here and so there are a number here that aren't quite what I want.

As long as the comb is bladed and straight I'm holding ones that have too many and too few points, with an eye to a balanced spread of points.

I'm looking for best color in the boys I got from Cyn and forgiving of color flaws in the girls from elsewhere, size and comb and width being more important to my goals right now.

I'll try to post some pics here too if you think that would be helpful?

 

[speckledhen]

First and foremost, body type/size. The males and females should be broad/deep bodied. Legs very yellow, beak a neutral horn color. It's hard at seven weeks old to judge them, but the ones that have lots of color will filter out the smut later on, usually, but ones that have few markings probably won't add much.
Combs are supposed to be 5 distinct points, but an extra point isn't that terrible if they are good, balanced points and the rest of the bird is very good. Good tail black in the girls is great and even, nice barring in the sickles of the males.
The problem with Delawares is that they change so much over the first three or four months and what you thought might be a great one early on may turn out to be second or third down the totem pole later. Turns out my best male is one I was impressed by at just over a month old (they're 12 weeks now). My second choice is larger than the first and in almost every way, excellent, except he has a six pointed comb.

 

[klf73]

sigh, guess I might have to hang onto them....

 

[walkswithdog]

LOL patience Grasshopper.

I'm taking more pics of mine tomorrow with any luck.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
Bummer...I was looking forward to seeing some at the chicken swap later this month.

 

[klf73]

Quote:
Bummer...I was looking forward to seeing some at the chicken swap later this month.

actually, I wasn't going unless it was to DEFINITELY get rid of some birds.....since no one wanted any I wasn't going to bother....
maybe you can see them after they fill out......

 

[TimG]

Quote:
Bummer...I was looking forward to seeing some at the chicken swap later this month.

actually, I wasn't going unless it was to DEFINITELY get rid of some birds.....since no one wanted any I wasn't going to bother....
maybe you can see them after they fill out......

I'd like to see them. I have no experience selecting chickens for a breeding program, but I have owned Delawares, looked at a lot of pictures, done my reading, etc. I'd be interested in seeing them and hearing what your thoughts are on them since I would someday like to breed them myself -- maybe I could even add a few helpful comments. At the very least, please keep me in mind when it does come time for you to cull. Please feel free to PM or e-mail.

Tim