Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[delawaregirl09]

Your welcome rustyswoman. I will post those pics, as soon as I can at least. I think I had too much fun with the camera

 

[Germaine_11.20]

OMG LOL I went out to the coop and then came back and downloaded pictures. Over 200 pics later... so I know what you mean.

How does that happen? I swear I only snapped a few of my favorites! Good thing the digitals can delete huh?

 

[biomistake]

YAY!!!! I get to go pick up 2 dozen babies Sunday... woohooo!!!! I cannot wait to post pics of my new dellies. It will be a 3 hour drive round trip but well worth it in my opinion.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
speckledhen- your birds are gorgeous!! do you sell hatching eggs at all?

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, on occasion, but I've had so many people asking about these that if I sent eggs out every week, it will take me till spring to get them to everyone. I don't want to do waiting lists (been there, done that), but I try to remember who asked me about them when, and when I feel like sending some, I contact one of the people on that mental list.

 

[joletabey]

So far this wonderful discussion has dealt with the SOP as far as body type, feathering and combs go. . . and body type pretty much covers the meat part of the Delaware Dual Purpose Design - but what CAN you expect for egg production? I don't have the SOP yet that my DH promised me, so I don't know what to expect there.
Those of you with laying flocks- what do you get on average? What SHOULD one get?

 

[speckledhen]

Mine are pretty young yet (34 weeks, plus I have a hen who is a year and a half), but from 5 layers, I get 4-5 eggs a day. The last couple of days is the first time I haven't had that many.

 

[McSpin]

Quote:
The SOP does not deal with egg production. It can be a completely infertile hybrid and be a show winner if it comes closest to meeting the phenotypic description.

My own Delawares are too young to judge and this is my first flock of them. However, they are starting out on the right foot. From what I've read, I think it's safe to say you can expect over 200 egg/yr on average. Of course lines are different, so it's best to ask the source where you're getting your birds.

 

[Cetawin]

My Isaac babies were 6 weeks old on Monday...I

them both bunches.

Cannonball:

Fattie, my suspected roo:

Doing what he does best...biting something. This time it is the flower on DD's shirt

My goodness Delawares explore everything with their mouths. hahaha

 

[speckledhen]

I hate to say this, but it's possible that the little fatso is a pullet. Usually, the boys have larger combs by six weeks old. Let me see if I can find a six week old pic of Isaac for you. Back in a bit...

Here's Isaac at 5-6 weeks old.