How are Delawares?

[flockman]

I am thinking of trying Delawares. I read that they are great brown egg layers and that cockerels make decent meat birds. Last year I raised 50 cornish rock crosses and I will probably do some again. I would like to have a good egg layer that extra roos that I hatch are decent to eat. With 3 children ages 5-8 I do need the roosters to be okay with the kids. The EE roos I have are good with the kids. Are delaware roos good with kids? Where is the best place to get Delawares if they are a good breed. Thanks!

 

[jerseygirl1]

Truthfully, I have two - they are good layers, but n ot nice to the other hens nor are they very friendly, but those are mine - I got them as day olds from a hatchery, not sure which one since Ibought them frmo someone else's order

 

[catdaddy66]

I ordered Delawares for the first time for precisely the reasons that you are describing. Most of the members that I read or messaged were very happy with the egg production, behavior and size of their flock. Do remember a few mentioning poor tolerance for this or that, but any individual animal is going to behave uniquely. Not all pit bull dogs are vicious and I wouldn't think all Delawares are aggressive. Again, I do not currently own any and have NO experience w/ them but did like what I read of them enough to get some. Good luck!!

I am sure on this site there is a thread about Delawares as a breed, so I would start there!!

 

[boykin2010]

I love my delawares they are very sweet and you can hold them. They are also very large and good meat birds

 

[flockman]

Where did you get your delawares?

 

[Mahonri]

I once had two Delawares from a friends Cackle order. BEAUTIFUL by the way.

WONDERFUL birds. HUGE, ROUND dark brown eggs.

Next year I think I'm going to do a McMurray fantasy order and I'll get two Dellie pullets.

 

[2DogsFarm]

My Delawares were courtesy of another BYCer.
Very pretty birds IMO & large-bodied.
If I were interested in a dual-purpose bird I don't think they would disappoint.
They are my friendliest hens and good dependable layers of XL brown eggs.
One is the Boss Hen of the flock and the other is her Lieutenant.

 

[briteday]

We had 3 delawares form Privett a few years back. I ended up re-homing them due to poor egg production. They layed often enough (3-5/week) but they were very small even after a couple of years and a molt. Their temperment was very nice, always following us around and willing to be held by anyone. But we are into the chickens for egg production and sales. So since they weren't laying even close to every day and the eggs were small made us think again.

However, this year I'm ordering delawares from Ideal and hoping to have better luck.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Delawares are a great choice! Most lay large to x-large eggs. They are excellent layers, in my experience. Here is a breeders list to help you find good quality stock:

http://delawarepoultryclub.org/breeder_directory.html

 

[chickenshagg]

I have six Delewares that I got from MYPETCHICKEN A year and a half ago. They have been good layers and are friendly birds but they are definitely the dominant ones of my flock. If it was not for my rooster then the other girls would not get any treats. My Delewares chase the others away but when my rooster is there he lets the other girls eat and keeps the Delewares away while his girls eat.