Fin and Fur, the numbers are straight from the study link you posted earlier. Through that link I read another study done in 2002 where the slow growth genotype (does not specify breed) had males obtain 3.5 lbs dress weight in 81 days, 11.5 weeks. This was using 20% starter, 18% grower and 15% finisher to 4 weeks, 8 weeks and finish. So this is weight and dressed weight in a study using normal feed and males of generic slow maturing making 3.5 lbs butcher weight in 12 weeks. Now the numbers in study Fin n Fur provided reports 1.81 Kg with reference number that if you look at bottom of study show it to be from a 1951 study. That posted study of this century showed results of 1.665 Kg dressed weight of a hatchery stock Delaware. Now that study specifically did not state what feed type was used only that is was same as what was given to CornishX.
I'm not looking to debate validity of #'s of studies. I'm simply asking if the faster maturing (relative to standard bred birds) trait the Deleware was designed on is still prevalent. As in does this line of bird, cockerels only to keep it simple, reach weight of 6 lbs live at 12 weeks? It's a yeah they do or no they only get to 5.5 lbs. If they are less than that then they missed the mark of the breed. As it was derived from Indian Runners that were result of Barred Plymouth over New Hampshire. There were sports. Those sports were used (plumage desired and easily recognizable for a breed with distinct ticking of hackle) to breed making the Delaware. Meant for smaller scale broiler industry as a sole breed in lieu of need for crossing Plymouth to New Hampshire. What resulted is a bird that made same weight in 12 weeks as the fast maturing New Hampshire in those years. That's 4 lbs dressed in 12 weeks or 6 lbs live weight. The advantage would be a white bird for better table carcass than a New Hampshire provides. Likely the Hybrid cross had better numbers. The numbers are not in dispute. I'm only asking if this line does that?
I'm not looking to debate validity of #'s of studies. I'm simply asking if the faster maturing (relative to standard bred birds) trait the Deleware was designed on is still prevalent. As in does this line of bird, cockerels only to keep it simple, reach weight of 6 lbs live at 12 weeks? It's a yeah they do or no they only get to 5.5 lbs. If they are less than that then they missed the mark of the breed. As it was derived from Indian Runners that were result of Barred Plymouth over New Hampshire. There were sports. Those sports were used (plumage desired and easily recognizable for a breed with distinct ticking of hackle) to breed making the Delaware. Meant for smaller scale broiler industry as a sole breed in lieu of need for crossing Plymouth to New Hampshire. What resulted is a bird that made same weight in 12 weeks as the fast maturing New Hampshire in those years. That's 4 lbs dressed in 12 weeks or 6 lbs live weight. The advantage would be a white bird for better table carcass than a New Hampshire provides. Likely the Hybrid cross had better numbers. The numbers are not in dispute. I'm only asking if this line does that?
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