My #1 Delaware Boy (PICS/new pics added in posts #28 & #35)

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Rhandi-Jayne! Your Dutch is handsome, too. My BR rooster is named Dutch because I found out that my grandfather was Dutch (name was Wixsom).

 

[miss_jayne]

you are welcome. that is a neat reason for the name. i named mine Dutch because the settlers of the state of Delaware were Dutch.

it's a good strong name for handsome feathery types!

 

[speckledhen]

Sort of loses its punch when you say things like, "Dutchie, come here to mama", LOL.

 

[walkswithdog]

Cyn about the tail feathers - some of the guys here have very few solid black tail feathers, and one has a huge amount of solid black - which way do I go for correct birds?

I am noticing a lot of the smut sorting out. I have a friend taking the pullets I don't want and I want to get her the best roo of the ones I am not keeping. Your second choice is still far better than my top three so... here I am LOL.

Of course the sweetest Roolet is also small and many pointed and pale legged. He stands on my feet til I pet him.

 

[speckledhen]

Some black in the tail feathers isn't terrible, and even in this boy's tail, they are barred feathers, not solid black. It's just that the barring is faint and you can't see it well in the photos. Solid black feathers are not what you really want, but if you look closely, I bet they'll be barred, albeit faintly. According to the experts, the blackish feathers in this boy's tail will yield good tail black in his daughters. I'm sure that lots of solid black is not good at all. Many solid black tail feathers may indicate Columbian Rock blood in the lineage somewhere.

You need a pen for just the PET Delawares, Cher, LOL.

 

[walkswithdog]

Quote:
Oh hush you and your "separate pen for pets", as if I don't have enough pens to build as it is. The Delaware pen is in progress now, I'm using pallets for most of the coop framing - yay. I'm sticking em out separate while I sort out the rest and get the turkeys squared away.

Too many mouths to feed as it is... but I want to grow more out so I have more to choose from.... whineeeeeee.

 

[miss_jayne]

Quote:
and don't forget, "Dutch honey, let me hold you like a baby and kiss your pretty head!" it makes him very embarrassed in front of the girls!

 

[herechickchick]

He looks GREAT Cyn, best of luck during the "raging hormone" stage.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Adam. I think I've done a pretty fair job of picking my keepers with the knowledge and help of seriousbill. I did sell one pullet who was just too small, but kept all the rest. It's the cockerel I'm focusing on more than the pullets to infuse some real quality in this group's progeny. The girls are pretty nice, too, though.
The top two "finalists" for the position of rooster in this group will be handled more than usual in the next few weeks. They'll probably run when they see me coming by the end; just as long as they don't bite or flog, they'll pass muster. We don't require cuddly, just non human-aggressive.

 

[Mourningdove]

Quote:
Hi girl, Your rooster is gorgeous! I have a question and since you raise and breed Delawares I have some questions please....
I got a surprise pullet special from Ideal that arrived Jan.30th and 2 of
the pullets are Delawares...according to my calculations these girls are now 16 weeks old a couple of days ago, and from all I have seen
on pullets they will be at point of lay the end of June, is this right?
Alot of the 25 pullets are already developing their combs and waddles and I am just wondering when shall I expect to see my 1st eggs from them? I am needing to get the adult pen ready for alll these new girls. Also 1 of the roosters who is the same age keeps grabbing their combs, is it possible this rooster thinks he is old enough to mate?