Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[Zanna]

Well, I made a critical decision today. I've got 7 different breeds going right now. My wife and I discussed this at length and decided that one breed had to go. I've got Barred Rocks, New Hampshires , Delawares, Colombian Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Bantam Barred Rocks and Bantam Buff Brahmas. The Delawares and the Rhode Island Reds were on the chopping block. I just couldn't bear to part with my Delawares so the Rhode Island Reds have departed the farm. I love my Delawares and losing them would be depressing.

So glad they made the cut!!! They are my all time favorites, here to stay and I would guess I have about 45 years left

 

[wekiva bird]

I like my Dellie too. Temperment and the Jumbo eggs and the meat on the extra roos go to freezer camp.

 

[tigercreek]

Well, I made a critical decision today. I've got 7 different breeds going right now. My wife and I discussed this at length and decided that one breed had to go. I've got Barred Rocks, New Hampshires , Delawares, Colombian Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Bantam Barred Rocks and Bantam Buff Brahmas. The Delawares and the Rhode Island Reds were on the chopping block. I just couldn't bear to part with my Delawares so the Rhode Island Reds have departed the farm. I love my Delawares and losing them would be depressing.

I know exactly how you feel!! My Dels are the fartherest away from quality in my birds, but it would be hard to decide to let them go before any of my 'quality' breeds. Quality like beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.....stan

 

[caj1985]

I have a question to those of you that raise Delawares. I had one hatch out of 8 eggs. He (I think) is huge in comparison to all hatchmates. The only one close in size is my Light Brahma pullet. My question is about temperament. I was trying to integrate them this weeks. The Delaware is the most timid of all of the chicks. He is even worse than my Salmon Faverolles. I wound up having to put him back in my growout pen because the older hens were picking on him so badly that he was actually bleeding at the base of his tail. Is this a normal characteristic?

TIA.

 

[Bentley]

I have a question to those of you that raise Delawares.  I had one hatch out of 8 eggs.  He (I think) is huge in comparison to all hatchmates.  The only one close in size is my Light Brahma pullet.  My question is about temperament.  I was trying to integrate them this weeks.  The Delaware is the most timid of all of the chicks.  He is even worse than my Salmon Faverolles.  I wound up having to put him back in my growout pen because the older hens were picking on him so badly that he was actually bleeding at the base of his tail.  Is this a normal characteristic? 

TIA.

The Delaware chick that hatched, did it come from the University flock? Because those are still 'a project' and yes THEY ARE HUGE!

 

[caj1985]

Yes, it came from the University flock. I was wondering whether the timidness was a normal trait.

 

[catdaddyfro]

Yes, it came from the University flock. I was wondering whether the timidness was a normal trait.

No not usually they are some of the most docile chickens I've ever experienced, now with that being said I have 8 hens from Ideal there are a couple of flighty ones in this group but too they all look more like delaware patterned Leghorns (factory/production types) than the real McCoys too.

Jeff

 

[capayvalleychick]

Yes, it came from the University flock. I was wondering whether the timidness was a normal trait.

What is the University flock?

Most of my Dels are shy but that's because I haven't handled them enough. My Sand Hill Dels were friendlier than the ones from Bill Braden.

Anybody know where Sand Hill got their Delawares or how long that they have been breeding them?

 

[OSUman]

Im guessing the University of Arkansas, the University of Illinois has some big ones too, but they just have the color, not much more then that.

What is the University flock?

 

[caj1985]

Im guessing the University of Arkansas,

That would be it. I have to say the eggs I got from them were XXLarge or Jumbo. The one that hatched (I was warned at the time that they were new layers and fertility was iffy.) is absolutely huge. I really think he is bigger than a comparable Cornish X. He is double the weight of the Salmon Faverolle and Mottled Houdan and triple the size of the Araucana. The only one that is even close is my light Brahma pullet that is fathered by a Giant Light Brahma rooster that the University has. I was just wondering about the temperament. He is very friendly, just won't stand up for himself. I was hoping to use him as my laying flock rooster to add some size to the crosses and increase egg size. I guess I will have to wait to see how he matures.