Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[GhostRider65]

Wish you were closer I have extra roo's, but didn't get but 1 pullet this year, will try again next year. Mine are also not show stock if that is what you are looking for there are much nicer Dels, on this thread than mine, maybe someone will have some closer to you so you can get these wonderful birds........... I totally love mine tho they ain't show quality, they are gentle, friendly, and lay huge dark brown eggs........ 5 or 6 a week..... Love my Dels. Kim

 

[Lacy Blues]

I have some from Sandhill Preservation that I will be looking to sell. They just reached 5 months and I got my first egg from one of the girls this morning. They would have to be shipped to you which could be pricey but if you know someone traveling from or through northern Nevada, perhaps they could be transported that way.

Edited to add: they are not show quality but the ones with obvious defects/disqualifications will be culled. You would receive birds from the nicest ones left over after the culling.

 

[pichuris]

I think probably show quality since my daughter will start 4h in a yearat least she will have that option. Mainly right now they are for me.

 

[chickenlover89]

i have a question about delaware's...i have 2 who are VERY unfriendly despite the fact that we held them every day when they were young. (only 7.5&9.5 weeks now) will they ever get friendly?

 

[wekiva bird]

i have a question about delaware's...i have 2 who are VERY unfriendly despite the fact that we held them every day when they were young. (only 7.5&9.5 weeks now) will they ever get friendly?

Some of the hatchery ones can be unfriendly and some times mean.

 

[GhostRider65]

Well mine came from a hatchery, Cackle to be exact, and they are so very friendly, I love my rooster Handsome, you can do anything with him , I pick him up daily for a once over, trim his spurs, wash his face when he gets into the mud, he is just the nicest boy. at a year and half, and my girls are not lap chickens but I handle them, and can remove eggs if there just hanging out in the nest box without being bitten, once ya have a hold of em they are fine, just don't really like to be held. I think it's really the breeder having a bad unfriendly rooster, it is for sure a genetic trait in meanness, because I learned it all too well with my SS, every single rooster no matter how much handling or how little turned out darn right devil attach chickens...........
I would try worms or treats with your girls, you will be surprised how friendly they can get if they think ya have a nice tasty treat for them..... scrambled eggs, work good too. My fatty hen Smarty pants will even jump on my shoulder if I have treats.

 

[Barred Rocker]

i have a question about delaware's...i have 2 who are VERY unfriendly despite the fact that we held them every day when they were young. (only 7.5&9.5 weeks now) will they ever get friendly?

True Delawares are supposed to have very friendly dispositions although I've heard hatchery Dels can have personality issues. If you're looking for that I'd suggest getting some from a reputable breeder. Sometimes hatchery dels will have genes from other breeds to promote egg and/or body size.

 

[kopeck]

I think you also can't just say X breed is friendly, they might tend to be friendly but that doesn't mean they're all going to be that way.

I've been trying to figure out my rooster, he's either curious or trying to size me up. I'm going to go with curious since he's only 3 months old. Then again he's already "servicing" his ladies....

K

 

[Barred Rocker]

I think you also can't just say X breed is friendly, they might tend to be friendly but that doesn't mean they're all going to be that way.

I've been trying to figure out my rooster, he's either curious or trying to size me up. I'm going to go with curious since he's only 3 months old. Then again he's already "servicing" his ladies....

K

Statisticly speaking you are right however some breeds have tendencies to certain behavioral traits. Almost every one of my Barred Rocks are friendly or at least non aggressive but I have known a few to be mean as snakes. Buckeyes have a reputation for being aggressive and I've had a Silkie roo that attacked on sight. Delawares are very curious and have a reputation for being friendly but if they have some genes from another breed all bets are off.I'm sure there could be a bad apple in a pure Delaware but I have yet to see one. Roosters very nature is to protect his ladies, so it all depends on what he decides is a threat.

 

[kathyinmo]

A dreary day here. Raining off and on. I let my youngest group of chicks out of their pen for awhile and grabbed a couple pictures.
I will try for some pictures of the oldest group tomorrow.