Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[popcornpuppy]

The reason for letting our guys out in the cold and snow is not to forage.
I agree that there will be no plants or bugs.
The reason is so that they are not board and becoming distructive. They get nasty when cooped up for too long. The big birds (our laying flock) pick on our Rock roo and Polish hen when they don't have "out time". The Dels pick on the EE's and the Orps when they can't get out.
As far as the amount of food they consume when they are cooped up, I think that too is due to being board.
Those Dels are just too darn smart and need stimulation.

 

[that_crazy_lady]

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yep, animals eat when they get bord, just like me. lol.

it's nice and sunny here, the boys have been sun bathing just about all day.
I let Sweet Heart wander around the house for a little bit while I was fixing her treat. last night she gave my moms mini aussie a suprise when they both turned their heads and came nose to beak, it was cute. he has been laying by her crate, witch is odd, cuz he doe not like other animals just people.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

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Oh! I see now, and absolutely agree. Please pardon.

I have a co-worker here who is bragging that her birds are sooo cheap to keep because she free-ranges them. When I look out the window I see two feet of snow, so I am bewildered by these statements at this time of year.

I pasture my birds in the summer, but they are pretty cooped up in the winter....

 

[popcornpuppy]

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Oh! I see now, and absolutely agree. Please pardon.

I have a co-worker here who is bragging that her birds are sooo cheap to keep because she free-ranges them. When I look out the window I see two feet of snow, so I am bewildered by these statements at this time of year.

I pasture my birds in the summer, but they are pretty cooped up in the winter....

I just want to say I hope my statement did not come off sounding defensive.

I am just frustrated with the weather and winter has only just begun. At this rate, I will be bald by spring from ripping my hair out due to "winter frustration".

 

[delawaregirl09]

I just have to say, I hope I dont get any of this stuff you guys are talking about!!!! I wont even talk about the temperatures we had today, it may make you all jump me!! Lol. The now 10 week olds got to spend their day outside!

 

[joletabey]

Popcornpuppy- I misunderstood, too, I am sorry - and I understand about those chicks needing something to do!My little brats have devised a version of mosh pit/leap on the frog and I wish I could get them out to the coop!
I moved here to escape winters like this - phooey- I will be bald with you if this keeps up!

Crazylady- Yay! three cheers for Sweetheart!

 

[jeremy]

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From a local feed store here in the Bay Area, I'm not sure where they get their chicks from but I might be able to find out. I'm sure they're just hatchery stock.

I feel like the are proportionally correct, but I agree that there's some issues with their markings. But it seems like as they are finishing up this molt alot of them are showing quite a bit more white with less black? Does this happen often?

To joletabey, their legs are unfotunately more of a pearl color. Which I've learned is not the standard for Dells. That's one issue that I'm thinking about when looking into a rooster, hopefully whatever genetic makeup he'll have could cover up the pearl/whiteness of the offspring? Any idea as to why they may be this color?

Thanks guys!

 

[speckledhen]

The molt shouldn't really erase their markings, Jeremy. And the leg color will fade out as they lay more and more eggs, as it does with all yellow-legged chickens.

 

[jeremy]

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Hm. Then we can't blame their bad looks on the molt! Darn... the leg thing I can testify for. When they were chicks/pullets, they did all have moderately yellow legs. Never anything extremely bright though. Also disappointing.

Their personalities are great though.

 

[delawaregirl09]

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Thats whatcounts for a lot of us

And welcome to the thread!!