Delawares from kathyinmo

[NestingHillsSC]

Why I think its sun related is the #2 cock that was outside had to be separated and I put him in covered barn porch area with no sun but indirect light and when I put him back out he had whitened up but not completely - he has been back out again and has re-yellowed some.
Don't know if thats it but its a observation. All don't do this as much so there are probably some genetics involved also.

Yea I was told how to breed the yellow out with good barred rocks. But would take probably years to do. I had an APA judge come to the house and said my roo's where winners except for the yellow. Big downside in showing.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Let's talk tails if y'all don't mind. I've got a bad case of tail envy.

Obviously I want complete tails carried up at the right angle. Instead I'm getting tails with an okay spread, but carried low and looking ratty. Yes, it could be conditioning as the birds are out on a pasture which is rather depressing-looking this time of year. I'm just in a "that's no excuse" type of mood about it at the moment.

My oldest chicks are right at 19 weeks today. Here are some photos of the flock ... I could also post some photos of the original trio from this spring which showed decent tail carriage even if it showed some rattiness in the tails. When I see photos of solid fans of white-edged black feathers in Delaware tails, I get jealous.

We can call her stumpy ... decently shaped bird overall, but why the long back and stubby tail?



Speaking of LOOOOOONG backs ... zoinks! You can see the younger pullet behind her has an okay spread on her tail.



I can't help myself, I kinda like the columbian-type coloring. I think that necklace and the little bit of lacing between her shoulders is pretty. She, and all the others like her and the foster broodies, will go in the laying coop soon.



These two photos show the parents, who are molting. Dad (who isn't in a hard molt -- he is just missing some of his tail) but still has his tail up in the air; and one of the two Moms (who looks like she needs a molting telathon). You can see some of the older pullets are getting to be nearly her size, though she is a bit downsized at the moment.



This pullet has a nicely shaped tail from behind. The cockerel is getting tall! I'm hoping for a bit more height in the males from this season. Daddy DelaRoo is wide, but he could be taller IMO.




I think I see some BROWN tail feathers in three of these birds. BROWN. The brown is the same color as our dirt at the moment, but when I get closer it seems to be individual brown feathers. I'll see if I can get a photo. More pullets for the laying flock who I expect to lay me some nice eggs for the winter customes.



Here is a photo to cheer us up. Babies! Not the youngest clutch I hatched this spring. The white bird shows why I stopped setting eggs ... the foster broodies had started to lay in the Delaware coop and I was not doing a good job guessing which eggs came from the breeding hens. I've got some DelaMutts, some solid black that must have come from the Gold Laced Wyandottes, and a couple all white birds like this one. Babies and mutts always make me smile.

 

[finnfur]

I won't feel left out then - out of ten pullets there may be two with potential to breed on - then a couple squirrel tails with long backs most of balance your tail problem but it still may be to early to judge completely

may have already posted this pic not sure

 

[fowlman01]

I judged the Heirloom Expo here in Santa Rosa, CA yesterday and gave Reserve Large Fowl to a Del pullet owned by Kim of capavalley. She showed 4 very nice pullets. Not perfect, but certainly good enough to win over several other good large fowl. I think Kim is very close to having birds that could win in a big show. Great job Kim. I'm sure Kathy would be delighted to see your progress.

Walt

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I won't feel left out then - out of ten pullets there may be two with potential to breed on - then a couple squirrel tails with long backs most of balance your tail problem but it still may be to early to judge completely may have already posted this pic not sure

You did. The color and completeness of the tail on the pullet over by the fence is great. Our birds are about the same age. It got me thinking. Here is a repost of photos of my breeding trio as proof of proper tail carriage this spring. Maybe I need to put some ginger in the baby food. (Joke.)

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I judged the Heirloom Expo here in Santa Rosa, CA yesterday and gave Reserve Large Fowl to a Del pullet owned by Kim of capavalley. She showed 4 very nice pullets. Not perfect, but certainly good enough to win over several other good large fowl. I think Kim is very close to having birds that could win in a big show. Great job Kim. I'm sure Kathy would be delighted to see your progress.

Walt

It is great to read this! I'm very glad some Dels are getting close to SOP.

Are Kim's birds part of Kathy's line?

 

[fowlman01]

It is great to read this! I'm very glad some Dels are getting close to SOP.

Are Kim's birds part of Kathy's line?

Yes, they are.

w.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Yes, they are.

w.

That's even more exciting!!!

I hope she can find time to post some photos of her pretty birds here soon. I'm really craving a good photo-based discussion of Delaware SOP and breeding. I'm about to the point of making choices for next breeding season based on observations and results of what I've been getting this season. And I'm so very new to intentional breeding and SOP. I need examples.

I'm not feeling very patient about waiting for my younger birds to develop. I want to see what they'll look like right now so I have a better overview of the season.

 

[finnfur]

I judged the Heirloom Expo here in Santa Rosa, CA yesterday and gave Reserve Large Fowl to a Del pullet owned by Kim of capavalley. She showed 4 very nice pullets. Not perfect, but certainly good enough to win over several other good large fowl. I think Kim is very close to having birds that could win in a big show. Great job Kim. I'm sure Kathy would be delighted to see your progress.

Walt

Yea Kim !

Happy dance

Congratulations
- wondered where you been - You been showing . Good job . We need pics . Please

Edited to add ; And thanks for the post and help Walt

 

[finnfur]

That's even more exciting!!!

I hope she can find time to post some photos of her pretty birds here soon. I'm really craving a good photo-based discussion of Delaware SOP and breeding. I'm about to the point of making choices for next breeding season based on observations and results of what I've been getting this season. And I'm so very new to intentional breeding and SOP. I need examples.

I'm not feeling very patient about waiting for my younger birds to develop. I want to see what they'll look like right now so I have a better overview of the season.

You know that NYREDs a APA judge has posted he has won [Not sure what] with this line of Kathys dels. Maybe Walt can expand as NY says not posting on bYC anymore