Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[Vexor]

From what I have listened to it seems like Bill Braden and Serious Bill lines would be a good for an outcross. I assume that they are two different lines and have heard nothing but good for both of their bird's confirmations as compared to hatchery stock.

 

[jeremy]

What exactly is an outcross?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
A different line than the one you have ....
If you breed 2 different lines together, you have used an outcross.

 

[joletabey]

Cynthia, did you once say that Seriousbill "changes out" her stock frequently? Where does she get hers?

I would think in 6 generations or so, those of us with related birds would have enough distance to do some trading around - ???? What do you think? Do we know anyone to ask?

I wish the Delaware club was more help. ( can I say that on here?

) I keep going to their web site to look under the breeder section and there is nothing. Poultry Press never has anything about Delawares in it, either.

sorry, I am kind of grumpy. I need more coffee!!!

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Morning all...Beth, I'm on my second POT of coffee (sure hope they drink coffee in China!!, if not, I might have to change my pull ups from Superman to the Incredible Hulk

)

At any rate, I spoke to Tom Richardson last night via email and here is his response concerning his Delawares. This gentleman raises some INCREDIBLE birds, so take that into consideration....

Hi Scott,

Always nice to hear from you. You were right, we do have Delawares and they originated from Don Perrin (NY) who has just recently passed away. Have no idea what became of his birds. He was very instrumental in getting the guinea fowl put in the standards for show purposes. Very nice fellow!

We have just really gotten started trying to improve on them. No, I have not experienced any of the traits that you have previously mentioned, but it's not saying they can't appear unexpectedly. Those recessive genes can come in to play at any time. I will say this, they have a very good hackle and fairly welled barred on the tail. The primary wing feathers on the males need to be improved as the barring is spotty. Females have a good black tail edged in white. Leg color has to be improved.

As of yet, I would not like to distribute any until there has been more improvement on them. My suggestion for you would be to go to Ideal Poultry website and check out there Delawares. I don't know who furnishes birds for them, but I have seen some fairly decent birds from them. You can order chicks and they are a good company. Let me know what you think after you check their site.

Good luck with your Columbians and am anxious to see how they turn out. Tom

Guess we can talk to him in a few years as a source for some....thanks

 

[speckledhen]

I hesitate to say anything, but I'm not impressed by the pictures of Delawares on Bill Braden's website. Hopefully, for the price he's charging, those are not his best examples. I'm just learning about the breed, but I think Janet's big George looked much better than those pictured. For an outcross to a different line, yes, that would probably be an okay route to go.

Beth, I'm not whose lines Kira, Cassidy and Jake came from. All I know is that my current birds are not related to the others. She could have some Bill Braden in there, but I'd have to ask her. She later added in Sandhill lines to change things up and bring in new blood, but Kathyinmo's first batch of Del males out of Ike showed way too much Columbian and Janet said looks like that bunch got all of Sandhill's worst. The second batch she has shows much more what I'm used to seeing out of Isaac and my girls.

I've seen some of Ideal's Delawares. Some are very Columbian type, some better, just the luck of the draw, I guess. If you get a great breed example from them, then that's a great thing and you could run with it. McSpin had some pretty okay ones from a hatchery, forgot which one.

See what hard task you all have taken on?

 

[rancher hicks]

I'm posting this to keep this thread alive.
I have him forsale on CL. If I were real serious I'd probably cull him. I am serious enough not to keep him though.

Has anyone purchased eggs from Annie@Dolce Farm. com? She has eggs for $32 a Doz. and I do intend to order some from her but can't right now. I have more important eggs to hatch.

I've also found Hortons, in Jefferson, NY but they don't return my e-mails. I wonder how many pull their site if they quit.

 

[speckledhen]

Tim, it's really early to decide on that boy you posted the pic of. That's the problem with Dels-you have to keep them so super-long before you know they are substandard sometimes. Is he lots smaller than the others in his group? He doesn't seem to have alot of smut right now, which means he may be lightly marked later on.

 

[TriciaHowe]

HighSpringsChix I look forward to seeing you this afternoon! Finishing up a hatch now so have lots of room

 

[Bassleg]

Quote:
I have chicks that I hatched from Annie@Dolce Farm. com they are almost 4 weeks old and so far they look good!