Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[bt2000]

Thanks Serrin,

If there is anyone I do not mind "debating" this with, it's Walt. His experience, credentials and mannerisms certainly make it a worth while endeavor. Someone I have immense respect for, even if I may disagree with him on some things.

 

[kathyinmo]

I have refrained from posting, but am just taking this all in. If you begin with post # 10196, where all this discussion on leg color began, I would love to hear your explanation. There are several photos. Remember, both Stevenson and I got our birds from the same source. Then, you will also see 2 birds I let a 4H kid have (and return) with different color legs and different housing arrangements.

 

[bt2000]

Hi Kathy,

Well I really can't say for sure what exactly is all at play with what you're seeing.

Now even though your birds and Stevenson may have came from the same breeder. That doesn't mean that they came from exactly the same parent stock.

Which means I wouldn't rule out genetics unless test breeding reveals otherwise.

Also, have the ones that were returned to you, look as though they are fading in shank color? Now that they are back at your place.
Are other breeds at your house effected also?

IF so, then it really could be something possibly be going on environmentally in you specific situation.

I have to wonder, thinking about the environmental side of it. What is the ph level of your soil? Could you possibly have a bleaching effect going on and the sun also may amplify that as well?


I guess try different things out and see if it makes any difference. Though I would interested to see those bred against a roo that shows only bright yellow legs(from hatch to adult) and what those results would be.

 

[kathyinmo]

As far as the birds having the same parent stock ..... this breeder has only 2 breeding pens with 1 cock per pen. I have birds from both pens. Stevenson may have both, I am not sure.

I do not know the pH of my soil. I have clay soil. Very rocky here. Clay soils are usually alkaline with pH ranging from 7 to 8.5, I have read. What would this do?

The ones returned to me have been here less than a week. I will check closely tomorrow.

Today I bought Purina Honor Show Chow, which contains tagetes.
http://poultry.purinamills.com/OURPRODUCTS/Products/ShowChowBroilerComplete/index.htm
I am gonna try this for 8 weeks and see if I notice any changes.

ETA: Yes, I have another example.... I bought bright legged Barred Rocks last year. Their leg color has faded. I assumed it was because the breeder feeds more corn. I do not feed corn or scratch. I can show pictures of this.

 

[bt2000]

Well keep us updated as to your findings.

And whether or not the returned birds start show signs of the same thing. Though that may be problematic as they get older.
I've found that between 12-16 weeks it can become almost impossible to tell without test breeding. That's assuming they yellow up and the returned ones don't fade like the others.

Take care and good luck....

edit:

ACKK!! I replied to soon. lol. guess there should be mandatory "edit time" before replies.

Yes. I'd be interested in those photos as well.

Don't you have an old line of Barred rocks as well? and are the New Hampshire's effected as well?

 

[kathyinmo]

Winter time, less sun, their legs were brighter......... This is another reason I believe it is sun bleaching.

 

[bt2000]

It would seem that what you're thinking could very well be the case with those birds. Though what did they look like early on? 2-16 weeks?

Also are the New Hamps effected in the same way as well?



edit to add:

You do free range correct?.. Could be something they are getting into out ranging. If not.. well.. then you may well be correct.

 

[kathyinmo]

Yes, my birds free range.

The New Hampshires..... hmmmm, I will have to check pictures and see.

 

[math ace]

There may be two sets of conditions effecting leg color based on the age of the birds....

For example, it would be acceptable and expected to see Delaware cockerels present with PINK on their legs due to hormones.
However, it would be unacceptable to have a 1 month old Delaware cockerel preent with PINK on their legs.

AGE of the bird and the resulting hormones effects many aspects of birds. For example, with Marans it is acceptable for the hens to have FLOPPY combs once they are POL or laying. A floppy comb in a younger pullet is a disqualifier.

When it comes to pale yellow legs it does bother me if I see that on a bird younger that 16 weeks.
Those in my flock are showing leg issues within 2 - 3 weeks of age.

If they had nice yellow legs for the first 4 months and lost them after that, I would be ok with that.....
I could write that off as environmental or hormonal issues.

Kathy, did you feed those barred rocks with the pretty yellow legs anything special or do they eat the same feed that the delawares eat?

 

[bt2000]

Ok I need to clear up a misconception.

My "debate" with Walt, was not, is not whether or not he's right or I'm right.

My only contention, is "not to worry about it".

Identifying what anyone is seeing in their birds, and not necessarily just shank color. CAN very well be genetic or environmental/feed, or a combination of both.

That should be first and foremost, the very first thing anyone does. There is no "magic pill" for everything.

Every bit of advice Walt gives about that problem very much has validity.

My advice is that if genetics is the issue, you need to "fix" that before you breed yourself out of the possibility to fix it.

Identify what's going on first with your birds, should be what everyone does.