Does anyone in Florida want to breed Delawares?? I have breeding males!

[SweetieChicken234]

Yes...this is in the wrong section. I have these birds listed in the right area but I want it to be seen by people that are interested in meat birds. I have pure Delawares.. pure for at least 13-14 years. I had these chicks shipped from a breeder in California that is retiring. She knew what she was doing. She was breeding for weight. These birds are great!! I have 13 cull males but the problem is that they are really too nice to go in a freezer. There are some small males that will be good as freezer material but there are some nice big boys. I would hate to put them to the freezer if anyone is interested in breeding them. For pure Delawares their weights are coming along nicely. I got more males than females and for poor quality that is fine for eating but with good stock... Ugh. I can't hold these boys too long. I don't have the space. I wish I did. I have them listed at $25 currently. That is only because they cost me a fortune and because feeding them costs a fortune. I'm not making any profit from $25 boys. If anyone wants them for breeding stock let me know. Check out some of their weights.

They are 5 and a half weeks.

 

[FunClucks]

I'm not close enough to get some from you, but I'll ask a few questions and hopefully keep this post at the top of the stack for those who might be interested - how much do the adults usually weigh at processing time, and when do you process them? Are you selling females as well if we want them?

 

[SweetieChicken234]

I'm not close enough to get some from you, but I'll ask a few questions and hopefully keep this post at the top of the stack for those who might be interested - how much do the adults usually weigh at processing time, and when do you process them? Are you selling females as well if we want them?

Breeder reports her males weigh 4-6lbs live weight by 12-13 weeks. Her goal was to breed them for weight to process them at 12 weeks. Females are pretty much all 3+ lbs live weight by 12-13 weeks.

This shipment I ended up with way more males than I wanted and less females so I can't sell females yet. I need to wait for them to mature and then sell their chicks.

The only reason I'm selling males is to save the breeders line with the bigger boys. Why put good breeding stock in the freezer? They will ONLY be my culls due to lack of space. Otherwise I would keep 4-5.

This photo here is the biggest male. He's definitely going to be breeding. His gains are incredible. I named him King and track him almost daily in his gains. I'm definitely wanting to get some chicks from him.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

Maybe I should add in here that these boys are very friendly. I can't come in here without them trying to sit on me. Very nice personality and I do hold them and interact with them daily.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

There's got to be someone in the state of Florida that would like to breed these males. Don't let me process them and waste the genetics. They are gaining so well. Here is Meatball today. He's 957 grams. King is 990. This is over 2lbs at 6 and a half weeks. Someone must want to buy some males for breeding.

I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to ship these boys. That isn't clear yet but if it is... Maybe some can go to a breeder outside of Florida.

 

[FunClucks]

There's got to be someone in the state of Florida that would like to breed these males. Don't let me process them and waste the genetics. They are gaining so well. Here is Meatball today. He's 957 grams. King is 990. This is over 2lbs at 6 and a half weeks. Someone must want to buy some males for breeding.

I'm trying to figure out if it's possible to ship these boys. That isn't clear yet but if it is... Maybe some can go to a breeder outside of Florida.

Have you posted on Craigslist farm section, or on FB chicken/livestock sites? Or "farm days" yardsales.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

No I don't have Facebook. My husband does but most places don't allow selling. I didn't try craigslist for the birds but I had listed a cage I built for sale and no one showed any interest. I have Nextdoor and I posted there but I think my area just really isn't interested. No one knows what a Delaware is here or how nice a well bred line is.

I tried on Reddit to ask the mods if sales are ok and they say no.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

If there's someone that is farther from me in FL and will buy a few boys we can drive and try to meet them. I've taken many trips to drop off chickens.

 

[FunClucks]

No I don't have Facebook. My husband does but most places don't allow selling. I didn't try craigslist for the birds but I had listed a cage I built for sale and no one showed any interest. I have Nextdoor and I posted there but I think my area just really isn't interested. No one knows what a Delaware is here or how nice a well bred line is.

I tried on Reddit to ask the mods if sales are ok and they say no.

Post the actual chickens with pictures for sale on Craiglist Farm/livestock section. That's a totally different audience than folks who might buy a cage. Also, see what else is on the Farm site on Craigslist and how much the roos are selling for, and what quality they are, etc.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

Post the actual chickens with pictures for sale on Craiglist Farm/livestock section. That's a totally different audience than folks who might buy a cage. Also, see what else is on the Farm site on Craigslist and how much the roos are selling for, and what quality they are, etc.

I posted them in Craigslist. I didn't find too much else with chickens. 1 rooster and a breeding pair Shamo. Also some bantams. Found eggs for sale. Not too much with chickens though.