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

[speckledhen]

Robin, I think Isaac isn't far behind my BR rooster, Dutch, in size, who, as you know, has that deep bodied frame his daddy had. Of course, Isaac has more filling out to do since he is only 19 week old, but I am overall very happy with everything about him, including temperament. That is one thing that would completely make me cull a Delaware who had absolutely perfect conformation--won't keep any bad-tempered roosters here, in any breed.

 

[EweSheep]

AMEN! NO Bad boys around!

 

[kathyinmo]

I think this is this first time I have stumbled into the, "Breeds, Genetics, & Showing," area. Excuse me, I think I will step out now. I just wanted to look at photos of different breeds. This thread is too deep for me! However, I wish good luck to all of you, and hope you each achieve what you are after.

 

[walkswithdog]

Quote:
Hi walkswithdogs
The Standard is very easy to understand so that each breeder can breed to it and not copy one persons ways and ideas on how to breed poultry. If you dont care for me asking what stock did Luciano , Gallant and Goofus come from. I have never shown the Delaware breed that is true but in reading the Standard I know that the three males above have faults ( bad markings & bad combs). No breeder has to tell me that the Standard does.

TNpoultrybreeder

I've actually been discussing their faults specifically in another thread which you must have seen, since you saw the pics.

I'm keeping the male with the best head, and working for better combs, I'm ditching the male with the too black tail and the male with both sprigs and bad feet.

I kept them to determine overall SIZE. Since I don't want hatchery sized birds in the next generation.

Multiple points isn't all that difficult to eliminate so I kept the multipointed male with the proper tail and good legs who is also very large, and has proper body type.

Size body type and color were my first criteria this generation and those are some very hefty boys.

Gallants tail color is good and he should improve the girls with less color than proper. Size is a LOT harder to gain. While I've done it with my PRs, I'd rather sort combs than play size genetics, which can lack for many generations. So I did grow out the largest males REGARDLESS of faults to choose the larger best marked males - two features difficult to obtain if you do not have it. I went from twelve to the largest three. From those three to one.

And while Gallant's comb is multi pointed, as he's grown it has spread out to a more even spacing and remains straight which suggests the next generation won't be too difficult. His body shape is excellent, and his head beautiful, his eye and expression correct.

I know they'd all be culls in a show flock. But I can get there in time but I wasn't at all willing to lose size, shape or color. Size and shape are part of the why they're here as a dual purpose bird. If they were Rock sized - like the hatchery dels I got, I didn't want them. Only three of the hatchery pullets stayed their size and shape was so poor.

I've been DISCUSSING their faults in DETAIL with pictures - openly and honestly, with pictures, from the beginning. A fact you seem to be unable to follow. More reading deficit?

What this generation will throw, with the pullets I did keep, is a larger percentage of proper size, type and color, and I can work on the fine points. And when those grow - I'll take pics and talk to breeders and bring breeders here and go to shows and sort again.

I appreciate all intelligent, learned discussion on the faults of my birds. It's the only way to avoid disappointment and frustration in the long run. Given that those photos come from a thread INVITING critique - yes dear, I know they have faults. Which you couldn't detail helpfully, only slam.

Now back to Cyn's babies, eggs and goals discussions.

 

[walkswithdog]

Hmmm speaking of critique and help... Janet or Cyn or shortcake... I have one pullet who's hackles now have come in unbarred. Still in the program or OUT of the program? She's a nice size, good comb, great leg color. Tail isn't all black the way a columbian would be.

Thanks.

 

[speckledhen]

Cher, is she completely unbarred or just very lightly? I have one pullet who has very little color there or even in her tail, but since she has good body type and otherwise is good, she's staying in. With a small number of birds, I can't see removing her. I did remove one for body size that had good tail black and shank color. Sometimes, you have to work with what you have. As you know, it takes two to create a chick, so her babies may not have much barring in the hackle, or perhaps, with the right rooster, they will be nicely barred. To me, that's how one parent's strength can make up for the other's weakness in a certain area. I know that two show quality parents can throw an awful breed example and conversely, two average birds can throw a chick that grows up to be near show quality--I've had that happen. Even starting with exhibition quality, you still have to cull for faults. The true show quality birds are not easy to come by, no matter what you start with.


kathyinmo, this wasn't supposed to be an intense and contentious discussion as it turned out to be. There is still much great information to be gleaned from it, however, especially if you are interested in the Delaware breed.

 

[walkswithdog]

Hang in there Kathy. The breed is worth the debate.

I will probably keep her and see what she throws, she was a very late color developer - which makes me crazy but oh well. She does have a nice comb so maybe she and Gallant can between them come up with something nice. LOL.

If not, culling is simple enough.

I don't expect show birds for a very long time, but I can see the good solid dual nature of the breed already as heritage and a food source. The males and even the proper girls have already hit significant size, for just two people birds.

I just wish they'd range more but it's quite early for them to range far. I expect more movement out of them in a couple months.

OMG Cyn my sizzle Sheridan goes off with one of these girls on their own... Oh dear what an ugly ugly bird that would produce... chuckle. Have you seen Sheridan? Here he is.

Thought I'd insert the funny. I really have to pen up the Sizzles before long. And since all Del eggs will only be eating eggs til fall, no trouble should come of it but the idea just kills me.

 

[speckledhen]

What a silly-looking rooster, LOL! He's worth having around just for comic relief, isn't he? He's got some really interesting color on him, that one. Crossed with a Delaware? Oh, dear. (but if you do it, please post the results!

)

 

[walkswithdog]

He's got spectacular feathering and coloring - but his crest sucks, and that comb - ugh, he's supposed to have a walnut comb. But I kept him because he is truly unique and as bright as his colors look in that photo, they're even brighter in person, he's walking feathered fireworks. So I thought I'd breed some pet Sizzles with the coloring if I can get it breeding well. Going to cross him to blue or splash or black pullets and see where it goes and work toward a correct sizzle with that color pattern. At least Sizzles don't eat much.

My other Sizzle pen is all proper colored. But I just couldn't part with that color despite his glaring faults. So he goes back to correct silkies and then on up from there. Until I get some older silkie pullets I suppose he can hang with his Delaware date. And if I do get any weird little feather footed Dels, I will take pics. OMG lol.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, I think he's adorable. He's a fluffy boy! His little crest looks like a pair of horns in that photo, LOL. I have three Cochin/Silkie x BR accidents and wouldn't part with any of them, as you know.