Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[TimG]

I choose these birds because they were a heritage breed and want heritage birds here on our farm. I would like to spend my time and energy on a line worth preserving for their historical value not simply for eggs and meat. Although this is there purpose, here any way.

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My comment was meant more in reference to the use of "historical value" rather than "heritage".

I think if you want to preserve a breed that has "historical value" then you should be looking to much older breeds than those that were developed in the 20th century. I think it was the Dorking that was raised in Plimoth Colony, for instance (I know it was not developed there, but in Europe, probably centuries before coming to America). The Dominique was widespread in the US by the middle of the 19th century. The Java?

I don't claim to be a chicken historian by any means. And, I do not mean to suggest people should not enthusiastically raise and promote whatever breeds strikes one's fancy: Buckeyes, New Hampshire Reds, Chantelers, Delawares, Wyandottes and many more or the newer "heritage" breeds. I just think of "historical" as being long before electricity and phones made their way to the farms. ​

 

[speckledhen]

I believe that the Dominique was the very first American breed. Seems it's good to keep all the old breeds alive. Be a shame to lose any of them!

 

[Bassleg]

I just ordered 25 from Sand Hill I hope they are a good start.

 

[speckledhen]

Would love to see what you get from Sandhill, Bassleg!

 

[Mrs MIA]

Dorkings go back to Julius Caesar. (did I spell that right?)

That's one of the reasons I chose them, other than my hubby likes to say I raise Dorks.

But obviously Delawares need the help, too...

 

[Bassleg]

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Maybe we could exchange eggs but not on the first date!
Spring of 2010 I hope I will post pics and keep you posted , I like your birds.

 

[joletabey]

OK,I can't sleep.. . . I have often read that anything over 50 years old is considered an antique-egad, that would include me as well as the Delaware breed! So if I may interject my personal opinion, I think you can use "heritage" and historical" when referring to the type of Delawares discussed in this thread.
If people don't preserve the old lines NOW, in another 50 years (less actually, considering how brief a chicken's life can be) there won't be any birds of the Indian River lines left to be called Heritage or historical or anything at all. So those of you who are now preservationists, and those of us who are preservationist wannabes are in the middle of creating and preserving something we think is worthwhile. And that, in context, is making history.
Even if it's only in the tiny world of chicken breeding.

Off the soap box and back to bed. . . .

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

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Yep, that's a problem at our house, I want some of all of them.

It is a full time job for the spouse to keep me in line.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Nice pictures, Harrelldjr. Very pretty birds. Working on getting those pictures now!!

And it would be a shame to lose any rare breeds. But, were all doing out best

So its pouring here. Like crazy. I had to chase down my birds in a bigger pen and get them in the barn pen. That was fantastic fun. Lots of "mystery mud" to fall and get stuck in

. Stupid Heffner wouldn't let us catch him until all his girls were caught

My cousin and I are soaked. Quite literally.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Alright got a few pics up, just go to this link: http://harvestfarmchickens.weebly.com/delawares.html