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

[speckledhen]

It is sad that some will only give advice but will not take advice. One more thing I am by far not new to this breeding poultry thing , it has been apart of my life and will be apart of the rest of my life.

Well, that's an interesting remark. One can be an expert and/or foremost authority on one breed, but not on another one. I am just learning about the Delaware breed and it's not easy, considering that I have never seen a show quality Del in person, though I have seen the standard and the artist's representation of the perfect Delaware. A live bird is better than a drawing any day, or at least a photograph of a live bird. And I doubt many have seen a truly great Delaware in person.
To me, my Orpingtons are so much easier to "get" than this breed. At least, I've seen show quality Orpingtons in the flesh. Actual exhibition quality Delawares are rather elusive, to say the least. Nothing can replace true experience with a breed and that to me, trumps a picture in a book or a written description any day. To see something with your own eyes makes it truly clear. At least that's my take on it. No one said you have to do anything a certain way, so do as you wish. Good luck with your project.​

 

[seriousbill]

Quote:
Well, that's an interesting remark. One can be an expert and/or foremost authority on one breed, but not on another one. I am just learning about the Delaware breed and it's not easy, considering that I have never seen a show quality Del in person, though I have seen the standard and the artist's representation of the perfect Delaware. A live bird is better than a drawing any day, or at least a photograph of a live bird. And I doubt many have seen a truly great Delaware in person.
To me, my Orpingtons are so much easier to "get" than this breed. At least, I've seen show quality Orpingtons in the flesh. Actual exhibition quality Delawares are rather elusive, to say the least. Nothing can replace true experience with a breed and that to me, trumps a picture in a book or a written description any day. To see something with your own eyes makes it truly clear. At least that's my take on it. No one said you have to do anything a certain way, so do as you wish. Good luck with your project.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm a total newbie on my Buff Brahma Bantams, and I'll readily admit it. I soak up every word from the folks who've been doing it longer. It takes a while to develop an "eye" for a breed. And you really do need to see a good one in order to know what to work toward. As for a show Del., well, I've seen them. I don't have any, but I've seen them, LOL!

 

[speckledhen]

As for a show Del., well, I've seen them. I don't have any, but I've seen them, LOL!

I'm jealous! I'd love to see a truly stunning example of the breed, though your George is pretty darn close to show quality himself. Even when I see these show programs or winner announcements, I never see this breed mentioned.​

 

[seriousbill]

Quote:
Well, I also know that his legs are too long and his tail barring could use a touch more white--oh, and I forgot, that annoying extra comb point

. I'm more than willing to admit the flaws he has, but I have a little more trouble admitting the flaws he doesn't have, LOL.

The show birds I've seen didn't have his size--I can tell you that.

 

[speckledhen]

The modern day Delawares have the same problem getting the proper body type as the Barred Rocks do. I choose for body size in the Barred Rocks, though mine are just a couple generations from hatchery stock and I would need new, better blood to get the barring right. That is why I'm glad that Isaac really has "the stuff" in that department.

 

[TNpoultrybreeder]

Quote:
Well, that's an interesting remark. One can be an expert and/or foremost authority on one breed, but not on another one. I am just learning about the Delaware breed and it's not easy, considering that I have never seen a show quality Del in person, though I have seen the standard and the artist's representation of the perfect Delaware. A live bird is better than a drawing any day, or at least a photograph of a live bird. And I doubt many have seen a truly great Delaware in person.
To me, my Orpingtons are so much easier to "get" than this breed. At least, I've seen show quality Orpingtons in the flesh. Actual exhibition quality Delawares are rather elusive, to say the least. Nothing can replace true experience with a breed and that to me, trumps a picture in a book or a written description any day. To see something with your own eyes makes it truly clear. At least that's my take on it. No one said you have to do anything a certain way, so do as you wish. Good luck with your project.

Hi Speckledhen
There should be no one out there "expert or foremost authority" that is to good for advice. To me the Standard is by far the most important part of exhibition poultry. If there was no Standard there would be no exhibition poultry. You may never get a Delaware to the Standard in every point but that is what you are trying for. The one you are getting your advice from is getting there advice from breeders and judges that is getting there advice from the Standard or should be.

TNpoultrybreeder

 

[speckledhen]

The one you are getting your advice from is getting there advice from breeders and judges that is getting there advice from the Standard or should be.

Well, yeah, the standard is great, but it needs more than the written word and an artist's rendering(And pardon me for saying so, but you really don't know who all I'm getting advice from on this subject). The standard needs a good visual interpretation to be really complete. Besides, those breeders and poultry judges have seen the real deal, not a pencil drawing. And a couple of those breeders have been breeding superior Delawares for almost as long as I've been alive. If I have a living, breathing legend-type breeder, I think I'm going to listen rather than ignore him and go back to the SOP. JMHO. You are welcome to take or not take advice from whomever or wherever you like, TN. I just prefer to get advice from someone who has longtime experience with this breed, not just breeding in general. I won't go to poultry judge and breeder Dick Horstmann for advice on breeding Delawares, but I'd sure like to get some eggs from his Barred Rock flock and advice on improving mine from him.​

 

[seriousbill]

Quote:
Well, yeah, the standard is great, but it needs more than the written word and an artist's rendering(And pardon me for saying so, but you really don't know who all I'm getting advice from on this subject). The standard needs a good visual interpretation to be really complete. Besides, those breeders and poultry judges have seen the real deal, not a pencil drawing. And a couple of those breeders have been breeding superior Delawares for almost as long as I've been alive. If I have a living, breathing legend-type breeder, I think I'm going to listen rather than ignore him and go back to the SOP. JMHO. You are welcome to take or not take advice from whomever or wherever you like, TN. I just prefer to get advice from someone who has longtime experience with this breed, not just breeding in general. I won't go to poultry judge and breeder Dick Horstmann for advice on breeding Delawares, but I'd sure like to get some eggs from his Barred Rock flock and advice on improving mine from him.

Actually, Cyn, Dick has some darn nice little Delaware bantams. And he's the only person I know of off the top of my head that has them.

 

[speckledhen]

That's right! He does have the bantams! I completely forgot! Well, should have used a different breeder for my point then, huh?

I think you got what I meant, though. I still love his BRs.

 

[TNpoultrybreeder]

Quote:
Well, yeah, the standard is great, but it needs more than the written word and an artist's rendering(And pardon me for saying so, but you really don't know who all I'm getting advice from on this subject). The standard needs a good visual interpretation to be really complete. Besides, those breeders and poultry judges have seen the real deal, not a pencil drawing. And a couple of those breeders have been breeding superior Delawares for almost as long as I've been alive. If I have a living, breathing legend-type breeder, I think I'm going to listen rather than ignore him and go back to the SOP. JMHO. You are welcome to take or not take advice from whomever or wherever you like, TN. I just prefer to get advice from someone who has longtime experience with this breed, not just breeding in general. I won't go to poultry judge and breeder Dick Horstmann for advice on breeding Delawares, but I'd sure like to get some eggs from his Barred Rock flock and advice on improving mine from him.

The American Standard of Perfection has worked for poultry breeders and poultry judges for 135 years and that is older than any living, breathing legend-type breeder out there. So I will always get my advice from the Standard first then other poultry judges & poultry breeders second. You say the those breeders and poultry judges has seen the real deal , yes they have and it is in the Standard and that is the real deal. To be a poultry judge or poultry breeder you have to know the Standard very very well , if you do not you will never be a great poultry breeder or poultry judge.

TNpoultrybreeder