Help me narrow it down!

[ShrekDawg]

Delawares can be hit or miss. A friend that was working on helping with the restoration project had pretty much one extreme or another regarding general health from hatchery stock.

Hmm, that is concerning!! Maybe if I got Delawares, I should find a local breeder instead?

 

[Notaneggspurt]

It might be harder getting a single delaware from a breeder and most likely you won't be guaranteed a female. It's been a few years so I can't remember which hatchery she got them from. Since they are becoming more popular again the hope is breeders have had time to improve on them.

 

[ShrekDawg]

It might be harder getting a single delaware from a breeder and most likely you won't be guaranteed a female. It's been a few years so I can't remember which hatchery she got them from. Since they are becoming more popular again the hope is breeders have had time to improve on them.

That is very true and part of why I haven’t really considered the breeder route in general. First of all, it is likely rare that I will find one that breeds all the breeds I am considering, and second of all, most have minimums, right? Plus the whole straight run thing which I honestly didn’t even think of. And I looked on Livestock Conservancy and didn’t see any Delaware breeders super close to here but maybe some just aren’t listed. You have to be a member to list there. I am not sure if I should get the Delawares or remove them. I mean, it’s the one breed my dad actually said he liked the looks of/wanted to try when I showed him so I feel kinda bad removing it but if they have health issues, idk that I wanna risk it. How are they otherwise in terms of personality and laying?

 

[Notaneggspurt]

They were great birds. Even her roosters. They weren't what I considered super friendly. But she also wasn't breeding for pet qualities. I'd say still go for it! There's been lots of praise for the breed.

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

That is very true and part of why I haven’t really considered the breeder route in general. First of all, it is likely rare that I will find one that breeds all the breeds I am considering, and second of all, most have minimums, right? Plus the whole straight run thing which I honestly didn’t even think of. And I looked on Livestock Conservancy and didn’t see any Delaware breeders super close to here but maybe some just aren’t listed. You have to be a member to list there. I am not sure if I should get the Delawares or remove them. I mean, it’s the one breed my dad actually said he liked the looks of/wanted to try when I showed him so I feel kinda bad removing it but if they have health issues, idk that I wanna risk it. How are they otherwise in terms of personality and laying?

Do the Delaware, and just add the NH. What’s one more chicken when it’s just five anyways.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They were great birds. Even her roosters. They weren't what I considered super friendly. But she also wasn't breeding for pet qualities. I'd say still go for it! There's been lots of praise for the breed.

Thanks! That makes me feel better! They do seem like good birds! I think I will keep them on the list then

Do the Delaware, and just add the NH. What’s one more chicken when it’s just five anyways.

LOL trueeee but you say they are crazy and not good foragers LOL

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Thanks! That makes me feel better! They do seem like good birds! I think I will keep them on the list then



LOL trueeee but you say they are crazy and not good foragers LOL

Just my one hen! Our pullet is a good forager now that I think about it, but she isn’t very bright either.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

LOL trueeee but you say they are crazy and not good foragers LOL

Yeah, but it's for dad! It won't matter once you see him with his girl sitting on his lap if she eats a little more than the other girls

 

[ShrekDawg]

Just my one hen! Our pullet is a good forager now that I think about it, but she isn’t very bright either.

That’s good to know!! Do they lay well?

I just don’t want to add too many lol coop is only so big

But I don’t know whether to go Delaware or NHR.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah, but it's for dad! It won't matter once you see him with his girl sitting on his lap if she eats a little more than the other girls

That is very true!! Maybe he will be a little more involved with the chickens and bonded if he has his own chicken in the flock! he just admitted to me tonight he talks to them every morning lol I think he is attached even though he doesn’t really admit it much. He has been saying so more lately. He likes them and likes talking to them. He occasionally tells them they will be soup if they don’t start laying but usually he is kind to them he still won’t actually go in the run though, doesn’t like getting poopy/muddy or getting pecked. He is a little bit afraid of them.