Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[NestingHillsSC]

Can anyone tell me why my girl is developing a Mohawk down her back? Is it just a feather anomaly or sign of something else?
Also, worried "she" is not a pullet as sexed. Legs and feet look right but comb seems to be coming in large for a 7-weeker. This is our first Delaware




.

I wish I could see more of it's tail. A pullet will have barred tail feathers but usually only the 2 on the very outside. The rest in the middle should be black. Also looks like a cockerel. The feathering is just usually a sign of the last ones to grow in.

 

[fatcatx]

Bought two "pullets" from the feed store and this would be the second roo. Guess I better ask what hatchery they are buying from as two in a row seems excessive.
Here is a rear view. Are there ever cases of hens having tail barring so I can delude myself for a few more weeks?

 

[Jake Levi]

It is most likely to be a store error. That said the only hatchery shipping Delawares that I can think of in quantity for a store would be Ideal.

Anyhow, you got two good looking youngsters, how many others do you have?

 

[fatcatx]

Both Murray and Meyers are selling Delawares too. We are in small city quarters so we have just a few - a black Orpington I hatched (not sure if that's a pullet yet - big feet but small comb) and 2 speckled Sussex. (+ the other Orp cockerel which is in the processed of getting rehomed.) I would also be interested in trying a Delaware x sometime in the future but first we've got to experience the real deal!

 

[catdaddyfro]

Both Murray and Meyers are selling Delawares too. We are in small city quarters so we have just a few - a black Orpington I hatched (not sure if that's a pullet yet) and 2 speckled Sussex. (+ the other BO cockerel which is in the processed of getting rehomed.) I would also be interested in trying a Delaware x sometime in the future but first we've got to experience the real deal!

There are a lot of hatcheries selling so called "delawares" there are only a very few folks/individual breeders that sell the "real ones" (Delawares) though.

Jeff

 

[fatcatx]

There are a lot of hatcheries selling so called "delawares" there are only a very few folks/individual breeders that sell the "real ones" (Delawares) though.

Jeff

So what is the lineage/difference of the hatchery Dels?

 

[catdaddyfro]

So what is the lineage/difference of the hatchery Dels?

Generally there is no lineage therefore no original blood in their mix. I would venture to say most of the hatchery type do not even contain the genes of the breeds the originals were developed from.

Jeff

 

[EggieRowe]

Bought two "pullets" from the feed store and this would be the second roo. Guess I better ask what hatchery they are buying from as two in a row seems excessive. Here is a rear view. Are there ever cases of hens having tail barring so I can delude myself for a few more weeks?

I read somewhere both sexes get barred tail feathers as chicks, but females will get black ones with white edges too. I'm new to Delies, so not sure that's a reliable sign.

Both Murray and Meyers are selling Delawares too. We are in small city quarters so we have just a few - a black Orpington I hatched (not sure if that's a pullet yet - big feet but small comb) and 2 speckled Sussex. (+ the other Orp cockerel which is in the processed of getting rehomed.) I would also be interested in trying a Delaware x sometime in the future but first we've got to experience the real deal!

I have two hatchery Delies from McMurray last year. They were the least hardy of the group - I got 5 of 5 types of chicks and they had the lowest survival rate. I have at least 3 of all the other types. But they are the least flighty and lay large, pinkish eggs nearly daily. Only ones in the group I can pick up and hold without much fuss.

 

[fatcatx]

I read somewhere both sexes get barred tail feathers as chicks, but females will get black ones with white edges too. I'm new to Delies, so not sure that's a reliable sign.
I have two hatchery Delies from McMurray last year. They were the least hardy of the group - I got 5 of 5 types of chicks and they had the lowest survival rate. I have at least 3 of all the other types. But they are the least flighty and lay large, pinkish eggs nearly daily. Only ones in the group I can pick up and hold without much fuss.

I will hold out hope that she is still a she. (Delusions are not always a bad thing, right?) Should be more clear in a few more weeks. She is lively but easily handled - great little personality. My son calls her Marshmallow so MY name will be mud if it ends up being a he! Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[Jake Levi]

Just enjoy your keeper, the temperament might indicate a pullet, time will tell which.

I'd forgotten about McMurray, they drop ship a lot of their varieties so its hard to say what theirs are. Meyers I dont know about either.

Your best bet is to later get some hatching eggs from someone here who has Kathyinmo's flock.

My hens are very docile, the rooster is protective of them, he has the loudest crow of any of my roosters. And the moment he sees a light on in the house he is welcoming the new day.

Good luck on your dual, enjoy !