Isaac & Delaware Girls @ 18 Weeks( first chick! PIC)

[bawkbawkbawk]

Yes, I forgot to mention that she's 6 weeks old.

So breeder stock Delawares are different in temperament from hatchery ones? That's good to know. I've been kind of feeling like a "bad mom" since she's so unfriendly, but the other three are pretty mellow so I've decided to let myself off the hook.

I think Lily came from Belt Hatchery.

 

[speckledhen]

Honestly, I can only speak for the hatchery stock that I had. Sold all those and decided not to get anymore. These are really different than the first ones, but they are also different than my other breeds as well. They explore with their mouths, pulling at clothes, etc. They notice everything and they dont seem to be afraid of much, either. They are high energy birds, too.

 

[speckledhen]

Here it is, Isaac's first chick with my older Del hen, Kira. as the mother. This baby is two weeks old, brave as they come, independent and completely charming. Such a personality! Just hope it's a pullet or someone will get a wonderful Delaware cockerel. All four 21 week old pullets are laying now, started at 18 weeks and the last girl, Ellie, laid her first egg when she turned 21 weeks. I really did not expect them to lay so early since Kira was 22 weeks and her sister had not started laying when she died of an undiagnosed heart defect at 24 weeks.