Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[tigercreek]

It was pitch dark when I took this shot, couldn't see whether I had it right or not. The other 3 must be hiding somewhere.
They'll be 8 weeks old tomorrow.

Kim

Only one cockerel??? How did you do that????????. .stan

 

[capayvalleychick]

Only one cockerel??? How did you do that????????. .stan

They are hiding their combs.

I think there are 5-6 cockerels.

Kim

 

[DelDels]

Lots of promising youngsters from everyone posting their pictures. I have 42 eggs set for 1-27 and 40 candled great at 8 days. Looks like ALL were fertile. It's been a mild winter here so I'm hoping for an early spring.

 

[auntpa-k]

(I hope I get this right. First time I have posted since the update.)

Hi,
I am still new, but have posted a few times. I have 2 Del hens. They are just a couple of pullets I happen to find at our local feedstore this past spring. I love them! I even had one of them get into some problems, with egg laying, and paid 300 bucks for a surgical proceedure from our vet so I wouldn't have to have her culled. She happens to be my fav!
Starting out, I purchased a couple of different breeds that I thought I would like to work with. (The Dels, Americaunas, silkies, and d'Uccles) I have learned so much from the Dels. I love my other birds, but my Dels, are just so wonderful.
Now that I have some experience behind me, and done some reading on the breeds, I am wanting some better quality birds. I thought this would be a good place to start my search. I live in the Vancouver, Washington area. Are there any Delaware breeders located near my area, that will be selling chicks? Or is there anyone that will ship fertile eggs? Or know anyone or a great website to go to? I have had experience with hatching my own chicks, so eggs would be ok. I just want a better quality then hatchery birds. I don't have any issues with hatcheries, I would like to start with some great birds, if I am going to consentrate on one specific breed. The Delaware has all the qualities I like. (looks, personality, egg production, etc). So I would like to start with either some chicks or eggs from a Delaware breeder. I am also going to keep my eye out for Chicken/poultry shows. I'm hoping to find a few this spring.
Thanks for any help!
Paula - future, (I hope!) Delaware Breeder- Lover of them, for now!

 

[rancher hicks]

I still haven't found anyone I'd like to buy eggs from and I'm not sure whether I'm going to hatch or not. I would like to replace some hens but I have SFH's and Marans in the brooder and two new half hoops being built.

I think something is trying to get at the BR's in the hoop coop but now sure. What ever it is it's not big. I will be watching though and building a weasel trap.

Take care,

Rancher

 

[speckledhen]

Tim, Paul Harter in MO has nice, chunky Delawares, but I'm not sure they send eggs, just chicks. Here is the link for you: http://www.backtothefarmmo.com/breeds.html

 

[rancher hicks]

Tim, Paul Harter in MO has nice, chunky Delawares, but I'm not sure they send eggs, just chicks. Here is the link for you: http://www.backtothefarmmo.com/breeds.html

Thanks I'll look into it.

Ok I looked into it and am waiting to hear back, cuz I'd like to mix an order of Dels with some PR's. I think if I got 15 Dels that would be enough to help things along here. The PR's just cuz I'm chicken crazy.

 

[speckledhen]

I think Paul Harter's Delawares are some of the meatiest ones I've ever seen. My own two girls are hefty, but his seem super-stocky.

 

[Zanna]

Question on Beak Colour............... I am growing out 19 Dels. from my first breeding, they hatched Oct. 1st. I have noticed that their beak colour varies, some look yellowish, some part yellow part black, and some almost black looking. Just pulled out the SOP and it says beak colour should be Redish Horn. Anyone have a pic. of a Redish horn beak, what colour is that?? The pics. in the SOP I have are illustrations and the beaks look orangish/yellow. To be honest, I never paid much attention to the parents beaks, I believe they are all what I consider to be yellowish. What brought my attention to the babies beaks was the differences in colouring I was seeing. For the Del. DQ's it just says look under the general section for DQ's. No mention of beak colour that I can find there. If this should be another factor in my culling of this generation I would like to know. Help!

 

[Stevenson]

Thanks I'll look into it.

Ok I looked into it and am waiting to hear back, cuz I'd like to mix an order of Dels with some PR's. I think if I got 15 Dels that would be enough to help things along here. The PR's just cuz I'm chicken crazy.

I can recommend Paul Harter's birds. I ordered from him last year and was extremely satisfied, plus Paul is great to work with.