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

[walkswithdog]

I wish my better Sizzles had his level of leg and foot feather - and even his body feathering is broad and beautiful. He started out a typical blue and then turned into that. It's been fun to watch really. Funny how it's the odd men out often enough that earn permanent places in our hearts.

The breeder said she's been trying to get rid of that coloration from her lines for years, and is both Laughing and appalled that I'm keeping him and using him. I told her she could send any others she ended up with that have the red... Laura loves him. He goes no where.

Getting her attached to any chicken is hard enough. So any one that she wants to keep - stays. She likes watching the silly feather dusters as they free range.

 

[TNpoultrybreeder]

Quote:
Hi speckledhen
There is no anger here , to me the Standard of Perfection is my most important book on poultry and I have many , many poultry books. I have been around chickens all my life and took advice from many breeders and still do. Isaac is a very nice looking male Delaware at only around 19 weeks old and I think his tail will change for the better after his next molt. I think we all want the same thing and that is what ever is best for the Delaware breed.

TNpoultrybreeder

 

[speckledhen]

Well, TN, as I said before, I certainly wish you the best of luck with your Delaware project. We need more folks working with this breed today.

 

[hinkjc]

Cyn, I don't know how I missed this thread, but those birds are gorgeous!

Good luck in working to preserve this breed. I think it is commendable to anyone looking to improve or focus on something special to them.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Jody. I do like these alot. Though I'm not sure how long I'll be breeding them, at least when and if I decide to quit, someone will benefit from whatever I've accomplished with them.

EDITED TO ADD:

Maxie just laid her very first egg, July 15, with lots of coaching from proud papa, Isaac. So before 20 weeks, I have two of the four pullets laying, which is something I really didn't expect.

 

[justamouse]

Wow, what an informative discussion! I have 4 Delaware pullets and I cannot tell people enough how fantastic they are and how much I adore them. I think I've found my chicken true love. They follow me like puppies and chat with me all day. If I leave the door open they come in and stand at my feet in the kitchen. Did I mention I adore them? (and my Amazon parrot has discussions with them, too)

By what I'm reading, I have four good colored pullets. This is my first go round with chickens (although my Aunt has had them many years) and I'm working up the courage to look for a Delaware roo. I take it buying one from a hatchery is a no no?

Also, my gals are 23 weeks old and no eggs yet. They free range all day, and I started them on layer food @ two weeks ago. But no one is 'showing' them how to, either. I don't have any other chickens to teach them.

 

[walkswithdog]

Quote:
Some hens won't lay if the nest boxes aren't "right" so straw or hay added sometimes helps. Or some like shavings - thick piles of them. Also add golf balls or fake eggs (plastic or wooden) to the nests to help give new layers the idea of where things go.

 

[speckledhen]

Isaac is a papa! The first Delaware chick from my flock hatched early this morning. Kira, my year-old hen is the mama.

 

[walkswithdog]

Woohoooooooo!!!! Go Isaac! Can't wait to see the next generation grow up!

 

[justamouse]

Quote:
Congratulations, Isaac!