Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[joletabey]

Thanks, Kathy and Kathy!!!

Yes, it's only been a few days, but I worry that her original injury has left her "delicate", if you know what I mean- she is still in the coop this morning, walking slowly and eating laying on her hocks- not at all sprightly like she was before reintroducing her. I can make her a little place of her own, but I would like to get her a friend so she isn't so totally dependent on me for company!

 

[rancher hicks]

I have recently contacted the ALBC concerning "lacing" being acceptable to the breed. This is the reply I got from Jeanette Beranger.

"To my knowledge lacing is not accepted into the APA standard of perfection for the breed. ALBC's stance is if it is not accepted as a standard for the breed, then it is not an appropriate representative of the breed."

Is there someone here who has a copy of the APA standard for Delawares who would be willing to share that with us?


Thanks

Rancher

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Pg 60 of my APA standard of perfection book (1998 ed) does state that on females,

Hackles can be "showing irregular indications of black and white barring, entire web edged with white, quill and shaft white".

While it does not say anything about lacing, "entire web edged with white" would tend to say that a lacing of sorts would be acceptable I think

 

[rancher hicks]

I have written a letter to the ALBC for further information. "Lacing" and "Barring" have got to be two different things or the descriptions interchangable for this to be acceptable. The key words to your description are "of sorts". I will continue to persue this to get a more definitive answer.
It's important to me in order to decide how to procede with my breeding program. I hope everyone understands.


"hens say never give up, never surrender"

Rancher

 

[jeremy]

My Braden Dels were a month old yesterday, out of the 9 it looks like I've got 4 cockerels and 5 pullets. They're all feathering out much, much lighter than any Delaware I've hatched or had as chicks than before. Most of the pullets are almost all white with faint barring in their hackles and a single black feather or two in their wings/tails.

I moved the teenagers from the garage to their new run outside on Sunday. Sunday night I stayed out with them until dark and then ushered them into their new coop, yesterday evening I thought I would have to do the same thing but Stewart decided to do it for me! Around dusk I went out to find almost every bird in their coop except for Stewart, who was pacing around the entrance and a little Australorp who had flown up on the fence. Stewart was obviously upset that she wouldn't come down and go inside! L0L. As soon as I put her on the ground Stewart ran over and thumped her on the head, then shooed her in the coop with the rest. He went in and looked at me like, "Alright, you can close the door now" and turned around to join the others.

I'm kind of amazed, he's barely 2 1/2 months old! He's obviously already taken the dominant role within the flock. My other rooster, Claude the BW Ameraucana, is smaller and doesn't spar with Stewart anymore. He's growin' up so fast!

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
The next thing for you to do is buy a Standard of Perfection even if you get the paperback that is the "Bible"

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

My interpretation of the standard is that barring refers to the alternate pattern of "black and white" on the feather. Exactly the same as a barred plymouth rock (from which Delawares originated).

The standard in no way specifies "lacing" but instead refers to the web (or surface) of the feather "edged in white". This is for the hackle feathers ONLY and is only acceptable on the females. Females will also have BLACK tail feathers, also "edged with white"

I'm not sure that the ALBC is necessarily where I would go for clarification, but rather to the APA who maintains the standards.

Scott

 

[rancher hicks]

Urbanfarmboi = pics please.

Lotsapaints = Will try to afford it, but not sure I want to spend the money on just this one breed.

Yard full o' rocks = I thought that since the ALBC is concerned with historical breeds I would start there. The APA writes the standard for all breeds and that can change can it not? Not to mention the admission on new breeds and new colors.

The game is afoot.

Rancher

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Quote:
I guess the standards "could" be changed but it would require proof that the standards were in error for any breeds that are now in existance. I think that the ALBC can only give you there "opinion" or "interpretation" of the standard as they would not be a governing body as it relates to points, disqualifications, etc for a bird that would be at any given show. As was stated in an earlier post....the APA American Standard of Perfection is "the bible" when it comes to chickens

Also....might consider that just about ALL breeds are really "historical". Many dating back thousands of years. The ALBC is really just trrying to help preserve those that would be considered "endangered"

 

[Lotsapaints]

Quote:
The standard cost 55.00 + 4.00 shipping if you are serious about breeding poultry it is a must have well worth saving up for even if you only breed one kind.