Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[joletabey]

I agree, the black and white rendering seems more realistic- now I just need to REMEMBER these things, and wade my way through understanding the written descriptions. I agree, it takes two to tango, which is why I am so curious about a Luke/Lizzie cross. BUT I still need to replace Buckshot, who had the darker tail and hackles.
Thanks, Cyn and Kathy!

 

[kathyinmo]

I took some pictures today .... rainy and muddy day! These are my group 3 Dellies. They are about 7 weeks old. These were from Claudia and Cyn; so all come from Janet's stock. I hatched 22 Dellies in this group. They were in and out all day. So, I shooed them all outside at once, so I could take pictures. Notice Cord (Suede and Smoky's) in picture #3 and #5.

I gotta tell ya .... I am soooo excited about having a big flock of Delawares! My plan is for the big coop (the layers coop) to be full of Delawares. It is 16' x 12' (almost 200 sq ft) and I figure I can keep about 45 in there. I will keep other layers there, too, but only Delaware roosters.

 

[kathyinmo]

Oh, and this is Dellie related, as well. Here are my 2 broodies, sitting on Delaware eggs!

The first one made her nest on the floor, under the wall of nests. The second broody is in the highest row of nests, in the center. Do you think I should move them?

This is how my wall of nests looks ....

 

[Cetawin]

If no one is bothering them right now, leave them where they are. If you plan on candling the eggs at what would be lockdown I would move them then. Cyn has better info on this subject I am sure but the less you can bother the broody the better. The one up high could be a problem at hatch and the chicks could fall from there. I would be worried about the other girls in there attacking the chicks, you just never know.


I received some unsettling and bad news this evening. My friend back in Oregon (whose house we were renting) called this evening. I had left some things for her locked in the garage such as a 42" TV, air compressor, drill press etc etc and also some of my girls and my original roo. She told me that the morning after I left when she went over to feed and water the girls, there were four girls missing and the 10 gallon can of food I left for her to feed them until she picked up food and everything in the garage had been stolen.

She was heartbroken about the girls and angry so she called the police and reported them stolen as well as the other items. We all are about 99.9% sure who did the stealing but cannot prove it. She was afraid the other girls and my boy hurt or stolen because she was not living in the house at that time as I had just left...so, she gave the birds to my sweet neighbor who has a flock of BOs. He told her he would be happy to take them and care for them and get this...she could come get eggs anytime she wanted them. So, she gave him the Kingdom of Eggtopia and the fencing which he will move all onto his property as soon as the ground hardens off from all the snow.

When I asked her why she did not tell me sooner she said she knew my trip was going horribly and I would be upset and she wanted me to get here and get settled. So, 4 of my girls are gone and I have no idea where they are

So, I have said a prayer that Ginny, Hermione, Lulu and Crystal are okay and being cared for.

I pray my friend does not see them anywhere because she has pictures of them from the time they were a day old until the day before I left and they all answer to their names...she is fit to be tied and has said she will prosecute for theft if she finds her girls.

If there is one thing in this world I absolutely hate and despise .... it is a Thief!

 

[kathyinmo]

That's what I worry about ... what you said.
I have a long (8 or 10 ft) rabbit hutch type coop (used for Silkies or as a brooder), and I wondered about putting them both in there, one at each end. Do you think that would work? However, no one in the coop is bothering them at all. My fear is when they hatch though. Dang, I wish I had moved them before allowing them to sit.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Frame out a little screen to put over the front of that nest box and leave her there. That would work wouldn't it?

Well it's what I would do

 

[Cetawin]

Kathy go ahead and move them...it will be okay. Just take the entire nest...straw eggs and everything to the new place and take the hen...try to do it together so she can see the eggs if you have someone to help you.

Did you see my update on the post above? I am so ticked off!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Cetawin

That's horrible. Sorry about your missing girls. I hope you friend finds them

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
I wouldn't because Ms Broody has to get out to eat, drink and go poo...unless you are going to physically remove it and take her out, it is best if she can get up and move around on her own?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
I wouldn't because Ms Broody has to get out to eat, drink and go poo...unless you are going to physically remove it and take her out, it is best if she can get up and move around on her own?

True. I was just thinking about a little latchable screen door and room service for one