Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[LALEWIN]

Thank you for your input. Every stage of developments makes it seem even more a cockerel. Stinks. He is a wee bit friendlier. The one my daughter always handled more, and sat on her shoulder when they were younger. I'm thinking I will just need to find these two homes and start over and either find someone with chicks or eggs we can incubate. It's been years since I've used an incubator, but we had great success then, and the ones I've seen look the same. I'm sure I can sell any extras since we are so limited here.
Sadly, no chance of moving to the country any time soon. We literally can't afford to move. My great credit got shot to heck when my husband ran up my credit cards, then died after our daughter was born. I've had money/credit issues since. So, I dream of a new husband (been almost 6 yrs) and a life in the country.

So, now I have to figure out how to start over, and preferably not hatchery birds. Hard to find this wonderful breed in our area. As it was, we had to drive an hour to get to the hatchery. The only one in TN that I found had Delawares. I could just incubate eggs from my sister's back yard mix breed chickens, but I really like the Dels. It's sad just thinking about re-homing these two, but such is life with chickens in the city. I really hope to find chicks or eggs before finding a home for these two. It would seem so empty around here without them. Of course one crow and we in trouble, LOL!

 

[plantcityhomestead]

Thank you for your input. Every stage of developments makes it seem even more a cockerel. Stinks. He is a wee bit friendlier. The one my daughter always handled more, and sat on her shoulder when they were younger. I'm thinking I will just need to find these two homes and start over and either find someone with chicks or eggs we can incubate. It's been years since I've used an incubator, but we had great success then, and the ones I've seen look the same. I'm sure I can sell any extras since we are so limited here.
Sadly, no chance of moving to the country any time soon. We literally can't afford to move. My great credit got shot to heck when my husband ran up my credit cards, then died after our daughter was born. I've had money/credit issues since. So, I dream of a new husband (been almost 6 yrs) and a life in the country.

So, now I have to figure out how to start over, and preferably not hatchery birds. Hard to find this wonderful breed in our area. As it was, we had to drive an hour to get to the hatchery. The only one in TN that I found had Delawares. I could just incubate eggs from my sister's back yard mix breed chickens, but I really like the Dels. It's sad just thinking about re-homing these two, but such is life with chickens in the city. I really hope to find chicks or eggs before finding a home for these two. It would seem so empty around here without them. Of course one crow and we in trouble, LOL!

If you like the Delawares, I would try to stick with them, rather than hatching your sister's eggs. I ended up with 3 cocks last year, no hens, but I fell in love with the breed and started over this year. Shipping is expensive, even for eggs. Since money is tight, I would try putting an ad on craigslist saying you are looking for Delawares. Check and see if there is a BYC thread for your state, and ask if there is anyone near you with Delawares. That is how I found my new birds.

Keep dreaming of the county. It will happen one day.

 

[LALEWIN]

Thank you! I see Plant City. We lived in Ridge Manor for about 9 yrs. That was the 6 acres and when we had chickens. My sis now lives in TN, but lived in Zephyrhills since '79.

I checked craigslist way back when, but I'll give it a try and look around on here as well.
I see these two maturing and looking like Delawares, it's bittersweet. I will start again!

 

[plantcityhomestead]

Thank you! I see Plant City. We lived in Ridge Manor for about 9 yrs. That was the 6 acres and when we had chickens. My sis now lives in TN, but lived in Zephyrhills since '79.

I checked craigslist way back when, but I'll give it a try and look around on here as well.
I see these two maturing and looking like Delawares, it's bittersweet. I will start again!

It is worth it. They are great birds. I used to teach in Hernando County, so I know Ridge Manor well.

cindy

 

[tigercreek]

Got a few pics today of the pullets I'm planning to breed this fall. I am trying to get the type first, then work on tails. I think I have good type and tails on these, but I'm losing color?? Would appreciate opinions, thanks, ...stan

 

[kathyinmo]

I am likin' those tails, Stan!

 

[plantcityhomestead]

How old are those pullets Stan? Those are great tails, and it looks like they are getting "meaty." Are mine from the same breeders? Maybe there is hope for the tails on my birds.

cindy

 

[Green Acres]

I'm new to Delewares - have 8 hens and 2 roos just a month old. Could you (or someone) coach me as to what to look for? Those pictures look great to me. Is there something about tails that tends to be a problem that needs to be addressed in breeding/preserving the Dellies? Any words of instruction or wisdom will be truly appreciated. I'd just as soon do it right from the beginning. Thanks.

 

[tigercreek]

How old are those pullets Stan? Those are great tails, and it looks like they are getting "meaty." Are mine from the same breeders? Maybe there is hope for the tails on my birds.

cindy

They are around 4 months old Cindy, I'm not positive, I had rolling hatches going on with other breeds in there too and did these as an after thought. They are from the same breeding as your birds. These are the only 2 I have kept so far, and I intend to replace 2 of the hens with these. I'll have a total of 3 breeding females next year!! With better results I hope. I had to cull a lot of birds to get these. They were in the pen with your Aussies. ......stan

 

[tigercreek]

I'm new to Delewares - have 8 hens and 2 roos just a month old. Could you (or someone) coach me as to what to look for? Those pictures look great to me. Is there something about tails that tends to be a problem that needs to be addressed in breeding/preserving the Dellies? Any words of instruction or wisdom will be truly appreciated. I'd just as soon do it right from the beginning. Thanks.

It's hard to get consistent results in breeding Dels, and pinched tails seems to be a common problem so I started there, trying to add open tails to a decent typey body. Have to work on color now and getting the type 'set' so I can produce them regularly instead of 1 in 20. .........stan