FLORIDA Delaware(breed) cockerels for breeding stock or meat

[SweetieChicken234]

I got a shipment of Delaware chicks from a breeder in California. These Delawares are fantastic. They are big and growing so quickly. I'm going to have a lot of extra males to sell. I need to thin them out. This breeder was breeding with the SOP in mind and how fast they gain to be ready to process by 12 weeks. Her males are 5-6lbs live weight by around 12 weeks.

These males are high quality birds and are going to be great for starting or enhancing a sustainable meat bird flock. It is crucial to have a good male!

So far their personalities are incredible. They were in shipping for days. I got them starving and thirsty and they are still so friendly and curious despite their long trip across the country. They are the nicest chicks!

They are rapidly growing!!

These birds are very high quality so I'm selling them for $25 a cockerel at this age. By 8 weeks I will put them for sale at $35 for the cost of feeding them. I don't mind if they are sold for meat either. If they don't sell I will eat them.

Currently my males are around 350 grams. They were hatched Jan 12 so they are just about 4 weeks old.

 

[AGeese]

Days like how many? Was this USPS?

 

[SweetieChicken234]

Days like how many? Was this USPS?

Almost 3 days. Yes it was USPS and I was biting my nails waiting for them to arrive. They were on fumes when they arrived.

 

[AGeese]

Did the shipper give them any gel for the ride?

 

[SweetieChicken234]

The shipping in itself showed me how tough these birds were bred. Amazing. Very hardy. And no she didn't add any gel.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

These boys are super friendly and sweet. I handle them often. 5 weeks old now. I think they are over a lb by now. I have to do more weights. Getting big and beautiful. I really do hope some of these go to a home for breeding and flock leading. Such a waste to cull birds bred to gain weight fast for meat. Especially a heritage breed. There are a few on the smaller side and those should definitely be culls.

 

[SweetieChicken234]

6 and a half weeks now. Here's a couple weights.
Meatball is 957 grams and King is 990 grams. There has got to be someone in Florida that wants to breed these big boys!!

 

[canecutter77]

6 and a half weeks now. Here's a couple weights.
Meatball is 957 grams and King is 990 grams. There has got to be someone in Florida that wants to breed these big boys!!

Did you manage to sell these? what were the weights at 8, 10, and 12 weeks?

 

[SweetieChicken234]

Did you manage to sell these? what were the weights at 8, 10, and 12 weeks?

I have 4 extras left that I haven't processed. They turn 12 weeks tomorrow. I've been posting their weights and more information in this thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...inks-aka-delafelder-breeding-project.1650428/

You have to sift through it a bit but I posted lots of info. I processed 2 this morning and I intended to do another tomorrow morning. Maybe I should wait?

 

[SweetieChicken234]

Are you interested in these birds or should I just continue processing them?