Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[kathyinmo]

I guess the next question would be what kind of tagettes do you feed the chicks. I would love to grow some. I know they are a type of marigold but which one. There are loads of different kinds out there. They are all tagettes.

Gloria Jean

Marigold extract. For nice yellow skin, legs, beak, etc. That is what is in Stevenson's feed......
However, it appears it is turning his Dels feathers yellow, too.

His feed is this:

NatureWise

Chick Starter Grower
NatureWise Chick Starters Med and Non Med

Expertly designed and formulated for natural, balanced nutrition to support strong and healthy growing chicks.

A complete, nutritious vegetarian diet—no need for supplementation
18% protein to support muscle development and weight gain
Fortified with vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth and development
Contains a proprietary blend of nutrients to support the immune system and overall health of the bird
NO added hormones
Added marigold extract to improve skin coloration
Added prebiotics, probiotics and yeast culture that support digestion for chicks
Crumble form encourages feeding
Available regionally in medicated and non-medicated versions. Ask your local Nutrena retailer about availability in your area.


Did you see this post? This is information I gathered last year on this topic.


Quote:​

 

[capayvalleychick]

I found an article stating that heavy laying reduces the yellow color of the shank. It says no bird that has been laying heavily will have bright yellow legs.

www.jbc.org/content/23/1/261.full.pdf

I've noticed in both my Buckeyes and Dels, that their yellow legs have faded to more of a pink. Roosters are included, so it can't be egg laying that did it. They do free range outdoors. They were eating corn, no marigolds and I've recently eliminated the corn in their diet.

Kim

 

[capayvalleychick]

Quote:
Thank you for your input on my questions. I'm reading back through some of the other Delaware threads that I found with good info.

KIm

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
We are not talking about layers, though. These are chicks.

 

[kathyinmo]

Well, from these unplanned "experiments," I have gathered the following:
1. Birds raised inside have yellow legs, beaks, skin, etc.
2. Birds fed feed with tagetes have BRIGHT yellow legs, beaks, skin, etc, and yellowing on white feathers.
3. Free ranging birds lose the yellow legs, and they become pale.
4. Kathy's birds have pale legs.

Is it the sun? Does the sun bleach out the nice bright yellow?

 

[14chickmama]

My 13 week old roo, Rooney!!

 

[math ace]

Quote:
I'll contribute here .. . .

My chicks have the faded yellow legs at 3 weeks of age and have been inside the entire time....
At three weeks of age, chicks from the same breeder, hatched at the same time, eating the same food, and raised inside - - -
some have golden yellow legs and some have the pale yellow.

EACH time the golden yellow has showed up it has been with a cockerel.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I'll contribute here .. . .

My chicks have the faded yellow legs at 3 weeks of age and have been inside the entire time....
At three weeks of age, chicks from the same breeder, hatched at the same time, eating the same food, and raised inside - - -
some have golden yellow legs and some have the pale yellow.

EACH time the golden yellow has showed up it has been with a cockerel.

This is interesting. So, what do you think about the previous posts? There is also the possibility that some strains simply don't have the potential for bright yellow legs. Don't ya think?

 

[Stevenson]

Quote:
My one and only delaware roo that I raised from a chick to adult - -- did not crow until 20 weeks

I have a bunch of delaware chicks right now and am waiting to see when I hear the first crow . .. I sure hope it is 20 weeks again

lol Well, I am out in the middle of a corn field, so crowing won't affect anyone but my family and I. I am actually kind of looking forward to having roosters crowing in the morning

 

[Stevenson]

I finally got my temporary run finished and my dels got to spend the afternoon in it. They were a bit timid at first, but came around. I am concerned about hawks and since I don't have netting over my 45'x45' run, I am waiting til they get to about 14 weeks old before I put them in the permanent run. I am told that by the time they are that age, they shouldn't be as much of a target of the hawks due to their size.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see if the yellow will start to fade due to the change of living conditions. I am very interested to see if Kathy's birds develop yellow legs with the new feed. It sounds to me like we have a lot of elements to test here....but I am guessing we are going to find out an answer within a few months with everyone involved.