Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[Lacy Blues]

I have never seen a chicken with more than ten. Doesn't mean it can't happen though. The SOP does not mention it, but I would cull for it. Since you don't show it's up to you.

Walt

Well, I do show my Andalusians. It's been a few years but I did have some birds that had more than 10 primaries, more than 10 secondaries and 7 or 8 tail feathers (on each side). Not just six.

Thank you for your help.

 

[GhostRider65]

Thank you guys for the input, I will check my boys and see if it's a missing feather or lost feather, problem being, I think it's coming from my rooster if it is split wing, because I have a BR/ Del cross that has funny wing feaathers too, I hatched a few for replacement pullets, that also has it.
Grrrrrr maybe I should just start over with the original cross's because the last birds pictured are beautiful........... the F3s are spectacular in my eyes. I know it's probably in the thread somewhere how you got them beautiful Dels, but could you refresh my memory? LOL I ain't as young as I once was and my memory sure isn't either.
I got 1 new pullet this year, my Del hatches were all male, from my 2 hens, but a good friend gave me 4 chicks at our Cheesehead bash, my luck, only 1 pullet. But I love these birds, they are beautiful, friendly, lay well, and carcass weight at 20 weeks last year was 7 or better so a decent table bird. I don't show so it isn't truly important that they are perfect, but I would like to see some better coloring in my birds without the yellowing or smuttiness, there size is good, shape is ok, but arghhhhhh yours are so much prettier with all the nice black in the females neck and tail. I think I have a picture of the new pullet, will post it and see what ya think she is around 13 weeks..............
Ok found 1 of the babies she is in with her age mates my EE's her name is Bridget.

Not the best picture, but she has much better neck feathers than my other 2 girls, she's in the center of the 3 BR/Del cross's, now those I got 1 rooster and 2 hens, go figure........ TY guys Kim

 

[fowlman01]

Well, I do show my Andalusians. It's been a few years but I did have some birds that had more than 10 primaries, more than 10 secondaries and 7 or 8 tail feathers (on each side). Not just six.

Thank you for your help.

Tail feathers come in all amounts. My Leghorn bantams sometimes have 9 on each side. Tails are variable but as I said I have never seen wings with more than 21 feathers total. Again, just because I have never seen it does not mean it can't happen. Anytime you have hatchery birds all bets are off. The Sandhill Dels you have all have pinched tails. If they say they are using various breedings that give various results....... that is your first clue that they don't know what they are doing. While they seem to have a better reputation than most they are still a hatchery and their results are all over the place. They have healthy birds so from that standpoint they are OK birds. Kathyinmo has posted examples of pinched tails in this thread somewhere.

I'm not here to knock peoples birds, but it seemed as though you were asking for input. .....so that is my input as an ABA/APA general lic judge and breeder of poultry for 45 years.

Walt

 

[Lacy Blues]

The Sandhill Dels you have all have pinched tails.

Walt

ALL of them?

Now a "pinched tail"... are you talking side to side or top and bottom?

When my Andalusians have pinched tails its almost like all their tail feathers are in one neat group and you can't distinguish individual feathers. That's what I call a pinched tail. Is it actually something else?

 

[fowlman01]

ALL of them?

Now a "pinched tail"... are you talking side to side or top and bottom?

When my Andalusians have pinched tails its almost like all their tail feathers are in one neat group and you can't distinguish individual feathers. That's what I call a pinched tail. Is it actually something else?

Pinched can be the side view or the top down view. From what I can see they are pinched in both directions. If you look from the top down and the tail width is not the same as the back width the tail in pinched (in this breed and your Andulusians). If it is not moderately spread, it is also a pinched tail. You should be able to view from the side and count most of the tail feathers. Open your hand and look at your four fingers......lets call that moderatley spread. (side view spread) then look at your hand with the all but the index and middle finger out....that is pinched....you only see two. Kathy has pictures somewhere in this thread of examples that make it clear.

Walt

 

[LALEWIN]

Ah, I was thinking hackles! I've been sick, my kid has been sick (where I got it from) and now she has hives, so I am pretty much brain dead.

I've had dogs, horses, chickens, and back into dogs, so it's hard to remember it all, LOL! These little um, birds, have some attitude, so living until 4 mos may be hard.... I don't take attitude from my dogs, I don't take attitude from my kid, so I sure ain't taking attitude from my future dinner.

 

[LALEWIN]

So, just out of curiosity, and knowing these boys came from a hatchery, how do they look being 11 weeks old? Just curious since they won't be shown, won't be bred, won't be sticking around. Funny, the reason it was so hard to figure out, was because I was comparing them to each other, assuming at least ONE would be a pullet like I asked for, sigh.... DUH on my part!
So, anything I can add to their diet to better them for the table? I had no plans to have them processed, so I've not looked into it. Not sure how long they have. They are getting snotty with the dogs. If I ever get nice hens, the dogs will be happy, but hopefully keep the respect learned from these boys.

 

[chickenlover89]

So, just out of curiosity, and knowing these boys came from a hatchery, how do they look being 11 weeks old? Just curious since they won't be shown, won't be bred, won't be sticking around. Funny, the reason it was so hard to figure out, was because I was comparing them to each other, assuming at least ONE would be a pullet like I asked for, sigh.... DUH on my part!
So, anything I can add to their diet to better them for the table? I had no plans to have them processed, so I've not looked into it. Not sure how long they have. They are getting snotty with the dogs. If I ever get nice hens, the dogs will be happy, but hopefully keep the respect learned from these boys.

well, they look to have lighter legs than preferred, but that is normal for hatcheries, and i can't tell their size but they look to be kind of small for their age, but besides that, they look fine!

 

[meimalley]

I am starting my backyard flock this spring and am interested in raising Delaware chickens. I've seen them advertised by the large hatcheries, but I want to make sure that I am getting quality birds that are of heritage lines. I'm located in IL, so a hatchery or breeder within driving distance would be ideal. Any leads?

 

[pichuris]

I too am looking for Delawares and was referred here. I want chicks or juvs. Hatching eggs last resort.
Thank you