Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[speckledhen]

Your two cents is great, Inkheart, thanks! Glad to see so many new Delaware aficionados! I realize not everyone will do this long term, but we sure hope some will!

 

[HorizonSon]

I have no (at this time) ambitions to become recognized as a true breeder... However; I DO want the best Delaware stock possible. I chose the Delaware breed after almost a year of off and on studying. I want to preserve this amazingly friendly dual-purpose bird's traits.

I know it probably has been mentioned many times before; but... Has anyone tried starting from scratch with a New Hampshire Red and a Barred Plymouth Rock?

 

[HorizonSon]

Almost forgot!... Goooooood morning!

 

[speckledhen]

Good morning, HorizonSun!

Of course, not everyone has to become a super serious breeder, but I sure hope some will take up the cause to that extent.

 

[HorizonSon]

Quote:
My prayers as well... My newly acquired stock (as mentioned) is via Meyer Hatchery. I hope to introduce good blood into the line as time goes on. To be successful; I MUST become intimately familiar with the breed. Well; atleast, that's the way I feel about it. I want to cull efficiently and effectively for the benefit of their and our futures.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Thank you SpeckledHen!

And thank you to all the experienced breeders who will be helping us learn to improve this breed.

I'll be doing my best to promote interest, but being such a newbie to breeding, I am not certain I can help much there. Too bad too, as my DH really likes the look of the Dels we currently have, nice, chunky, friendly girls that they are.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Have you joined the new Delaware club yet? http://www.delawarepoultryclub.org It's FREE right now

On another note...my jealousy of fluffy butts pictured above (Horizon Son!)is OVER

I have some myself now! They are hatching as I type

YAY!! BABIES!! They are SOOO cute and peepin their little heads off! Pics to come, when they are done and dry. Probably tomorrow

 

[joletabey]

Breeding anything is a crap shoot, you take your chances no matter how superior your stock is - there can always be something interesting or awful hiding in those genes from a few generations back. And yes, there have been some people experimenting with the original cross, HorizonSon. I have seen some pictures, and know of at least three or four people working on the project. A fun project, although, again, space and time consuming, with lots of culling to do.
It WILL be fun to see where we are all at 5 or 6 years down the line, and then 10 or 12 years down the line - I do hope we all stick with it -

Jeremy, are you going to try the double mating system? I keep meaning to ask you that -

 

[Inkheart]

Quote:
Joann

remember any standard whether it be chickens - dogs - rabbits or whatever - is open to interpretation - i know in dogs - people read the standard different ways -like different things - and the judges are the same - some like this or that - you simply breed for your interpretation of the animal - and then if showing you learn what judges like what and you take yuor stock to the judges who most closely interprets the standard the way you do! So if you like them on the "chunkier " side- have at it!

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Could not agree more Beth! I'm working on my foundation stock right now. I'm going with a layer flock, and a seperate breeder flock to keep them seperated to do some more selective breeding. I am hesitant anymore to get rid of any that show any potential for improving my flock! I am going to seperate the two roos in the next month, and get the old roo with the new ladies, and the old ladies with the new roo. The old roo's tail is high, and a bit too light colored for my taste, but the new girls could improve that. The old ladies will bring the new roo up to standard I hope with his few faults, because they have better combs, and can improve his overall shape. HOPEFULLY next year...I'll have some good enough to start trying to show a bit! I want to get my feet wet at showing. I don't expect to be placing right off, or maybe not even soon, but I want some experience, and some birds that look decent before I try it out. I have seen some at shows that don't look Del, and I want to show higher quality, even if it IS still a work in progress. I think it will help me to be able to breed better birds in the long run by knowing their faults. i look at my birds sometimes and my eye is used to seeing what I see, outside opinion would be welcomed. I think I see things that aren't there, or don't see issues that are there sometimes. I need a "sounding board" so to speak. Does that make any sense to anyone else?

Oh, and I am in it for the long haul too, God willing!