Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[joletabey]

Delawaregirl,
I am so sorry to hear about the 9 points- rats!!!! Are there any breeders close to you? I know I am hovering over my kids looking at those developing combs, even though its way too early to tell!

The big nasty wind finally got here late yesterday and my DH and I moved the babies into the piano room last night. It was just too big a worry to leave them on the porch with that icy wind, even though they are not in the drafts at all - but what was really cute is that I moved one heat lamp in with them and just covered the other part of the brooder (two tubs connected by a bucket tunnel. I went in to check at 1:00 am and they were in the cooler part of the heated brooder and in the tunnel, staring into the black hole of the other part. . . .I forgot they have never been in total darkness!So I flipped the overhead room light on, took the cover off, and they happily jumped back in- it's odd but, they never liked even 90 degrees when I first got them- the heated half is at 83 right now and they are very happy,some sleeping under that lamp, some playing and eating over in the cooler side - I swear they SMILE at me when I feed them and change their water- it just takes a while to get them off the feeders and off my hands when I take things out for cleaning and refilling. Little scamps!

 

[speckledhen]

Aw, Beth, it sounds like you are really enjoying your babies! I'm so happy to have another convert to Delawares.

 

[joletabey]

Cynthia,
I really, truly, truly am!!! And the word is being spread here, too- I buy hay from a man down the road who has mostly banties and a few Golden Comets. He dropped off hay last week, and of course I introduced him to the babies and all the good points about Delawares- he got VERY interested and said if I keep a Roo and his two broody banties are up for it next summer, he would like to see if he could hatch them - he wants a dual purpose bird!!! YAY!
How many years do you think it will take the Delawares to control the world?

 

[delawaregirl09]

Unfortunently, not yet

I'm hoping to be the breeder nearby, in the future

Its weird because I've seen his daddy and mothers

His father was a BEAUTIFUL example of the Delaware, not as great as Isaac, but still a wonderful example.

Well, I still have hope

 

[speckledhen]

Even with spectacular parents, sometimes genes combine in odd ways. Just know that true show quality Delawares are as scarce as hens' teeth! This breed can be challenging for several reasons. And strange things can pop up as a bird matures, too. Isaac's tail is heavy on the black color (though all sickles are barred), but as one became much longer, I saw that toward the base of the shaft, it fades to white, so you never know. And it will be interesting to see what his tail looks like after his first molt, too. Whatever his minor faults are, his body type and carriage are excellent, as well as his temperament. He's been a pleasure to have around.

 

[joletabey]

Cynthia,
Isaac is a beauty, and if his kids are anywhere near as nice as he is, and his ladies are, I will be so very happy. . . . . it is so hard to breed to get it all, it seems there is always one or two little things left to be improved no matter how good you get- but it sure will be fun to try!

 

[Cetawin]

Delawares are all spoiled because they demand it....it is part of their plan for world domination. First it starts with their mind control stuff. Ya'll thought I was joking and now you are beginning to see the truth.

Cyn, I know Cannonball is not the "type" you would look for (yet) but she is so special that it does not matter to me. LOL Thor loves her so that has to count for something.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Quote:
Which makes everything so hard! Lol. I understand about the white piece, both Heffner and Oreo have that in their tails as well. I will keep trying, and I may try and use him to see how the chicks come out. If its disastrous, I'll sell them as mixes or meaties

I still love them though

 

[biomistake]

Hey delawaregirl09 I just might happen to know someone (ME!) who is gonna have too many roos that is not too far away depending on your version of too far to drive

. The stock according to the breeder is from two lines of show stock and an *Delete* line thrown in for good egg laying measure

. Mull it over and PM me about it.... I am sure i can cut that comb count down... Also fyi the breeders roo is less than a year old and over 11 lbs.

EDIT delete ALBC and insert Sand Hill Preservation instead ... night shift stinks

 

[kathyinmo]

I went to the feed store today. The owner asked, "How are those Heritage Delawares comin' along?" and then elaborated that others are interested in the breed also. Then, yet another, guy in the feed store asked if he could get some chicks in the spring! YES, it is mind control, even before they are seen! Ya hear about 'em, and ya gotta have 'em! ha

My babies are doin' great. It is hillarious to watch Midge. She jumps up and will peck at the Jersey Giants' beak. I'll tell you ... she is a force to be reckoned with! Tiny but mighty! She runs laps around those big guys.