saving endangered Delawares, a moral question

[popcornpuppy]

Ever since I got my last batch of chicks 2 months ago, I regretted getting Leghorns instead of Delawares (Hubby wanted leghorns, I wanted Del's). After doing alot of research and seeing how this breed is endangered, I am even more excited to get Del's. The first problem is that I can't find them anywhere.
All of the hatcheries are:
sold out till 2010
males only, or
sold out till fall
I have looked in the news papers, on this site and in the neighboring 3 states for a breeder, but no luck.
I have an order into Mcmurray's to ship 10/12/09 but I think that is late in the season for raising baby chicks. Just my opinion.
Am I doing the right thing by trying to raise and then eventually breed hatchery chicks? I want to help save this breed but can't find them anywhere else. I know hatchery chicks are not always true to standards but I am on a quest to save the Del's.

 

[saddina]

I know there are several people here who keep them, have you posted a "wanted" in the chick eggs section? For some of the rarer types, you'll most likely need to incubate them yourself.

I will say, be careful when buying off ebay, some are good sellers, but some are sketchy.

 

[Southernbelle]

Speckled Hen, seriousbill and Shortcake1806 all have the true Heritage Delaware - I don't know if they're selling or not. The Dels from the hatchery are not bred for quality and have been diluted with Columbian Rock. I love Dels - so good for you to work with this noble breed!

 

[rachiegirl]

If you have an incubator, try that route. I'm sure you can find good breeders on here that will sell some eggs to help preserve the breed. Good Luck!

 

[Goose and Fig]

I wouldn't get them from a hatchery. My first chickens were from McMurray. Out of 8 breeds that I got- only the Orps and Australorps were even close to the standard. You wouldn't be doing the breed any good.

 

[spotsplus]

I was in the same boat when I chose to go with Russian Orloffs. I decided not to go hatchery because I'd have to cull so much. Took months to find breeders and then to find ones that have eggs. Got a dozen in the 'bator now. Have 3 juveniles out in the coop

Persistance will get them to you or you to them!

 

[tcwk]

Meyer hatchery, great service i just got 11 chicks three days ago one Delaware.

http://www.meyerhatchery.com/get_list_22.htm

 

[popcornpuppy]

Yes, we have a bator and have hatched 2 sucsessful batches of experimental muts so that we could learn the finer points of incubating and hatching.

I have posted in the wanted section and have had 0 replies.

I have thought about ebay and hatching eggs, but I am not sure of what the outcome will be.
How many roos will hatch out, will they be mixed breeds, will they be quality birds, will the eggs survive shipping......these are just a few of my concers with ebay.
Does Meyer have good or at least fair quality birds? Does Mcmurray have good quality in some breeds and not so much in others?

just checked Meyer, taking pre-orders

 

[hcammack]

Will Marrow of Whitmore Farm has beautiful Delawares but he is also sold out until 2010

 

[tcwk]

Yeah, the quality of my birds from Meyeris great. I haven't ran into any trouble with them.