Delawares and Delaware Crosses

[fwschrom]

I order Delawares and Delaware x New Hampshire chics. If the hatchery hadn't put purple spots on the pure dels I couldn't tell them apart. Will they always look exactly the same? If so I will want to band and mark the pure Dels I guess. Or should I care?

 

[turtlebird]

I just read that if you cross a delaware Roo with a RIR hen, offspring will look like the Delaware.
I AM NO genetics expert, and I do realize you said you had NH, but I would keep them banded.
Let's see if an expert chimes in.

 

[TimG]

New Hampshires were developed exclusively from Rhode Island Reds, so the effect of a Delaware crossed with a NH should be the same as a Delaware crossed with a RIR. (As far as the interaction between Silver and Gold goes.)

 

[Louieandthecrew]

idk for sure but I have a delaware and i don't know what it is crossed with. Could any of you tell me??? Here she is :

Thanks

PS. All those pics are taken of the same hen

 

[fwschrom]

here are some pic's:






Purple spots on the head are the pure Del's

 

[kathyinmo]

These are crosses. Rosecomb Rhode Island Red over Delaware hens...

 

[Louieandthecrew]

so... What are mine??? lol

 

[TimG]

If I recall correctly, the Silver in Delawares is dominant, so lots of Delaware crosses will produce similar coloring.

Louie, you have mutts. You might be able to pass them off as Delawares (not suggesting fraud here, just saying they might resemble Delawares). The next generation may be more telling since the recessive colors will have a chance of showing through.

 

[Louieandthecrew]

Okay thanks

 

[rancher hicks]

Since I am an expert on Delawares. ha ha.

According to the standard papers I received by e-mail.

"Delaware males may be mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red females and produce chciks of the Delaware feather pattern."

" Delaware females may be mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red males and sex-linked chicks result; the males have the Delaware pattern and the females have the solid red feather pattern of the male."

Hope this helps

Rancher the Delaware expert Hicks.