Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[tnchickenut]

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Just think of the crosses I could come up with... all the breeds I got going on... lol.

 

[ColeyPoultry]

I apologise if this had already been asked numerous times in the past (if any?)

*but there's over 800 pages to me to search through!

With Delawares, what happens if you're breeding for Delawares, using Barred Rocks over White Sussexs?

I understand that normally, you use Barred Rocks over RIRs (or New Hampershire hens) but I'm curious to find out what the end results would be if someone only uses Barred Rocks and Sussexs? *Its just that I knew of someone else's doing this project and they were adamant about using Barred Rocks and Sussexs.

Funnily enough, Delawares aint a recognised breed over here in NZ but I'm looking at creating Delaware bantams myself to cross onto Japanese bantams but I'm doing my research first as well as learning these genetic codes

*And I'm slooooowly getting there re genetics!*

 

[popcornpuppy]

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you may get a chicken that looks similar to a Delaware but it would not be the same thing. You need to have the original breeds in there (BR & NH) because those were the founding breeds. Any other crosses would produce a new or different breed. I can see how it would not be a recognised breed in other countries. It was established in the US in the 1940's and is considered a newer breed.

 

[ColeyPoultry]

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you may get a chicken that looks similar to a Delaware but it would not be the same thing. You need to have the original breeds in there (BR & NH) because those were the founding breeds. Any other crosses would produce a new or different breed. I can see how it would not be a recognised breed in other countries. It was established in the US in the 1940's and is considered a newer breed.

It is just what I thought re Barred/Sussexs as the other person argued about using 'red' birds and I couldn't argued other than to say that Barred and NH (or RIR) were used specifically for creating Delawares because I didn't know anything about genetic codes and couldn't explain how or why the red birds were used.

I've incidentally come across someone's post, that despite using Barring gene and the (sorry, whatever gene it was) there was something there that stops the red coming through (a red inhibitor gene?)... so I'm glad I've stuck to my guns about Delawares and when I do want to embark on creating Delaware Bantams, I will stick with Barred and Reds.

Yes, it is a fairly new breed but one day, (and here's hoping)

that the Delawares will be accepted into NZ Poultry Standards, not because I personally likes the look of them but because of their status of being excellent 'dual-purpose' birds. Their fast growth and quick feathering would surely be considered 'added bonuses!'

 

[popcornpuppy]

the reason for the fast growth and feathering of The Delaware is because of the genetics from the NH. I am still learning about the genetics of the breeds involved but the size, shape and color of the Delaware are a direct result of the BR/NH mating. I don't know about a red inhibitor gene, you may be right. I do know that the mating produces about 30% of the offspring that are silver with the Columbian pattern. The silver birds are then bred to get the Delaware (it's not quite that simple but that's the simple explination for it.)

 

[ColeyPoultry]

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Oh thank you for that kathyinmo!

I'll copy and paste that into my notebook for future reference and will take the time to look at the genetic make up closely in order to understand it more. I don't think we got New Hampshire banties (only the larger ones) but thankfully I know of a breeder that breeds RIR bantams so when I'm ready to create Delaware bantams, I'll be using Barred & RIRs

One question here: I actually thought the NH are called New Hampershire but I am coming across more of 'New Hampshire.' What is their proper official name? Hampershire or hampshire?

 

[kathyinmo]

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It is New Hampshire.

 

[ColeyPoultry]

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It is New Hampshire.

Right! I'd better remember that! "New Hampshire" it is! Thank you Kathy

 

[HaikuHeritageFarm]

So...if you could also potentially use a RIR...could you potentially create a rose combed Delaware by using rc RIR, OR, perhaps even better, get pea combed Delawares by using Buckeyes?

I love the Dels, but I've just had my first bad run-in with frostbite and it's not even November. (It was another breed, but I'm terrified nonetheless.)

 

[kathyinmo]

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Actually, I hatched some eggs that were crosses ..... Delaware and Rosecomb RIR .... they ALL looked like Delawares (rosecombed). I will look for the pictures. I don't have them anymore, but I think it is a GREAT idea!