Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[fowlman01]

That one picture when where Walt is holding the Del. up side down with the back to the camera he is showing that the bird does not have pinched tail. At least what I was thinking. Very good pictures.

Scott

None of the Dels had pinched tails.

w.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

I didn't like the color of some of the tails, but these are pretty well marked and the white area's are free from smut or black markings. The type is very good and in the photo of me holding the bird up you can see the great width of back these very young pullets have. I believe they are 5 months old. They have strong wide heads and deep bodies. The bodies are outstanding. No flat spots on the bottom line and everything where it should be. The color will always be a struggle, but again they are very sound birds.

Walt

I was noticing how wide and deep those birds are! I love it!

The upside down photo of the birds back really made me smile.

I'm hoping my pullets grow out as well (mine are all at least a month behind), and if I start to handle them a bit maybe they'll let me turn them upside down to see how much of their width is in the body instead of their fluff (I've been leaving them be so far). My chicks have been very round since day one, and are still nice and bulky except the older cockerels which are starting to get all gangly, so I have hope the pullets will continue in that direction and the cockerels will fill back out.

I also love the whiteness of the white in those birds. I'm getting a lot of sale & pepper in my Dels. I have noticed that my Dels with the more Columbian type coloring in the neck feathers are MUCH whiter all over the rest of their bodies -- I've only got a few birds with barred necks that have white (or mostly white) bodies, so I've been focusing on observing those birds. Now I'm going to take a closer look at the birds with the more Columbian coloring to compare. Also because ...

... The Del pullets I have with more solid neck color & and whiter bodies seem to have more "complete" looking tails. I'm obsessing over tails this week. My more Columbian colored birds also have more orange-yellow legs, which I've noticed other Delaware breeders obsess over.

What do you think about the top line & tail carriage of those birds? I'm trying to train myself to see the silhouette of my chosen breed (Delawares) , and the top line plays a big part in that.

 

[fowlman01]

I was noticing how wide and deep those birds are! I love it!

The upside down photo of the birds back really made me smile.

I'm hoping my pullets grow out as well (mine are all at least a month behind), and if I start to handle them a bit maybe they'll let me turn them upside down to see how much of their width is in the body instead of their fluff (I've been leaving them be so far). My chicks have been very round since day one, and are still nice and bulky except the older cockerels which are starting to get all gangly, so I have hope the pullets will continue in that direction and the cockerels will fill back out.

I also love the whiteness of the white in those birds. I'm getting a lot of sale & pepper in my Dels. I have noticed that my Dels with the more Columbian type coloring in the neck feathers are MUCH whiter all over the rest of their bodies -- I've only got a few birds with barred necks that have white (or mostly white) bodies, so I've been focusing on observing those birds. Now I'm going to take a closer look at the birds with the more Columbian coloring to compare. Also because ...

... The Del pullets I have with more solid neck color & and whiter bodies seem to have more "complete" looking tails. I'm obsessing over tails this week. My more Columbian colored birds also have more orange-yellow legs, which I've noticed other Delaware breeders obsess over.

What do you think about the top line & tail carriage of those birds? I'm trying to train myself to see the silhouette of my chosen breed (Delawares) , and the top line plays a big part in that.

It is very difficult to capture the true look of a chicken with a camera. The top lines were very good. Getting precise color in the Dels will always be a challenge, but I see good progress in these now. I was a little discouraged in the beginning when I saw pictures but they are coming together now.

Walt

 

[Wisher1000]

Walt, I need your advice. I am selecting which of my Silver Campines to bring to Ohio. I am considering bringing my two best pullets but am concerned about stressing them and exposing them to other birds. I am also thinking I need to bring some of the ones that I am not certain about so that I can get some guidance on how to proceed with them. Do you have any thoughts?

BTW - I know the only "good" thing on any of my coop tags will be "BV" and I even feel fairly sure I know on which cage that will be. Otherwise, I am only hauling birds because Cathy Gleason and I are going together and she is bringing birds, and I am taking some to trade with a breeder from Mass (Bob Rhodes) that is working with the SCs as well.

 

[fowlman01]

Walt, I need your advice. I am selecting which of my Silver Campines to bring to Ohio. I am considering bringing my two best pullets but am concerned about stressing them and exposing them to other birds. I am also thinking I need to bring some of the ones that I am not certain about so that I can get some guidance on how to proceed with them. Do you have any thoughts?

BTW - I know the only thing on any of my coop tags will be "BV" and I even feel fairly sure I know on which cage that will be. Otherwise, I am only hauling birds because Cathy Gleason and I are going together and she is bringing birds, and I am taking some to trade with a breeder from Maine that is working with the SCs as well.

Stressing and exposing to some risk is always a personal choice. If a bird looks sick, it will not be aloowed to stay in the show, but some conditions are not visable. I have never had a problem from a show, but my birds are also pretty resistant to stress and disease. Stress is the biggest thing to worry about. Some folks start giving electrolytes before and during a show to help with possible stress.
I also coop train my birds before the show to relieve some of the possible stress.

Walt

 

[Lacy Blues]

Wisher, I firmly believe that yogurt helps so much with stress. At home my birds get it occasionally. But going to a show, I start increasing the amount they get over two weeks before until they are getting it every other day. Only a tablespoon or so. During the show, they get some with both meals. More if they appear to be stressed. Plain, unsweetened is best. Unless you get some kefir... apparently it has many more types of beneficial bacteria.

Also, when I have brought birds home from a show, I thought they'd run to their water containers. The hens always run to their oyster shell. Maybe take some with you.

 

[Wisher1000]

Thanks, Lacy, I will!

 

[capayvalleychick]

Yesterday, Walt Leonard gave a talk at the Santa Rosa, Ca., show about showing birds, how they are judged, as well as feather quality, and conformation. We were able to ask questions, and he replied to each and everyone graciously. It was a great, very interesting, captivating, and educational experience for all who have attended. Thank you, Walt!!

Lual

Lual took some very pretty photos of my Dels. They are in the last two photos, in the cages. I don't think she got a shot of Walt holding them. The bird he is holding is a Sussex, which was one of the birds that he used to demonstrate during the class on what the judge looks for, while judging.
Here's another photo that Lual took, of the Del that placed Best American and Reserve Ch LF. She has a white leg band. Pink24, above, took Reserve American. I was just hoping not to dq, so I was pleasantly surprised that they did so well.

 

[Lacy Blues]

I thought those top pictures looked like Sussex. It's nice to see that somebody is working with these birds... both breeds.

 

[3riverschick]

I thought those top pictures looked like Sussex. It's nice to see that somebody is working with these birds... both breeds.

Sure wish I knew who bred that Light Sussex Walt is holding.
Best,
Karen