Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[EggieRowe]

My cockerel has a crooked tail. I noticed it looked like it favored one side last week, but today it was more noticeable. He hasn't been injured in any way that I know of - no predators and they avoid our dogs (and vice versa). The only other post I found on BYC regarding a rooster with a crooked tail was another Delaware. Is this some kind of genetic fault? Or just some random thing? One person suggested to cut the feathers down to see if they're just growing in unevenly. I haven't had a chance to pick him up and feel around his nub is see if there is a structural deformity. (Going to after work today.) Any one with experience with this? All the pullets have nice, symmetrical tails - maybe one or two are pinched a bit. These are the best pics I could get at lunch - it leans to his left a bit. (I'll take better ones tonight when I can handle him.)


I'm not breeding for showing, but I certainly don't want to be dirtying up an already limited gene pool if this is a genetic fault.

Forgot to mention he is about 13 weeks now.

 

[catdaddyfro]

Wry tail is the term for the issue seen on that cockerel. yes it is a genetic fault and will be carried forth in breeding him.

Jeff

 

[EggieRowe]

Wry tail is the term for the issue seen on that cockerel. yes it is a genetic fault and will be carried forth in breeding him.

Jeff

He's such a sweet boy! Lets me hold & pet him without a fuss and already does a terrific job of watching out for his mini flock. Plus my only other roo is the runt - which now is the exact same size as the 9 week old chicks even though he's 13 weeks old! I'm so heartbroken. I just dispatched our evil rooster, Cogburn, weekend before last. I was so looking forward to having a roo that didn't HATE me.

 

[finnfur]

He's such a sweet boy! Lets me hold & pet him without a fuss and already does a terrific job of watching out for his mini flock. Plus my only other roo is the runt - which now is the exact same size as the 9 week old chicks even though he's 13 weeks old! I'm so heartbroken. I just dispatched our evil rooster, Cogburn, weekend before last. I was so looking forward to having a roo that didn't HATE me.

Wekiva Bird is down in SC - and she has a bunch of Cocks she is going to reduce numbers on- I think
Her flock is super friendly

 

[EggieRowe]

Wekiva Bird is down in SC - and she has a bunch of Cocks she is going to reduce numbers on- I think
Her flock is super friendly

Thanks for the tip! I'm driving her way to pick up a pair as soon as monsoon season ends here.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of thread with good breeding information? I guess my main concern is how diverse a gene pool needs to be to stay healthy through the years. I've read so much conflicting information and a lot of information seems related to creating new color morphs within a breed.

 

[finnfur]

Thanks for the tip! I'm driving her way to pick up a pair as soon as monsoon season ends here.

Can anyone point me in the right direction of thread with good breeding information? I guess my main concern is how diverse a gene pool needs to be to stay healthy through the years. I've read so much conflicting information and a lot of information seems related to creating new color morphs within a breed.

Heres one of her Cockerels I had - most likely from same age group


I would suggest the thread the Masters are on for Heritage breeding info;
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/400344/heritage-large-fowl-thread
Also info Del related;
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/291856/delaware-genetics-for-dummies
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/411540/answer-to-the-delaware-dilemma
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/732985/csu-chicken-state-university-large-fowl-sop
Also good info here
http://albc-usa.org/EducationalResources/chickens.html
Also Del club at bottom here
Read all that and we ail have a test at 3Pm Wed LOL

Good luck

 

[EggieRowe]

I'm only about 800 posts into the Heritage LF thread - out of nearly 15,000! That test better be around this time in 2014. LOL!

 

[fatcatx]

Heres one of her Cockerels I had - most likely from same age group

Wow- that is a handsome bird! Now I'm jealous. Curious - what breed is the bird just behind it?

 

[jeremy]

I lost one of my oldest Delawares a few weeks back, Yvonne. She was pushing 6 and still giving me eggs almost daily.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Very nice. I sold all 10 of my extra cockerels yesterday. So I have 4 now. I may go down to 3. Just going to let them grow a bit. I culled one for myself and had it last night. At 4 months it dressed out at 3 3/4lbs. It was THE tastiest chicken I have every had. Now I'm sort of sorry I sold the other 10. LOL Can't wait for the hens to start laying. But I read it takes 24-28 weeks for heritage Delleies to start laying. No hurry. Getting 14-16 eggs from my other 16 hens.