Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[joletabey]

I love all these pictures- these are so helpful!
Rustyswoman, I already miss mine being so sweet and little, but they are a HOOT right now-
None of mine have anything but pale combs- no color differences yet, that's why I was hoping some of the markings would be a clue. If I can get a picture of Buckshot, you can all give me your thoughts!
ANY pictures that show young differences will help me - I do have several that are lighter, with hardly any markings at all - they also have very little comb, and especially do not have any markings on the backs of their necks.
I wish I dared let mine out of the brooder- this band would take over the house in a flash!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Joltabey, the comb is the key. They won't have any or much color at this age, but the size difference is starting to show. The girls have hardly anything and the boys stick up a bit more. Pair that up with the stonger colors and you typically will know your roos. Then every week it gets more noticable.

 

[joletabey]

Then I think I win my bet with DH!!!! I hope little Buckshot gets to be the keeper!

 

[JamesA]

Quote:
I would also add leg thickness.I have notice my roo's have noticably thicker legs.

I am going to post pictures soon of my babies.I finally got a camera but the weather has been bad and it is supose to rain most of the day tommorow and I am working today.
James

 

[joletabey]

YES!!! More pictures of relatives for the gallery!
I will go home and look at legs, too!

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yes James, I forgot about that one! That is the first thing I check when they are coming out of the shell, the feet! Sometimes you just know its a Roo!

My six outside are growing so fast I will get pics of them too one of these afternoons. I can't believe they are only 8 weeks.

 

[JamesA]

Quote:
Mine are 5 weeks old and 9 weeks old and you would never think the ones that are 9 weeks old are that young.They look almost like grown birds.They are doing very good.I have 26 or 27 I forget but they are all doing very well! I am going to wait till spring before I decide which ones to keep and which ones to sale.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I am going to wait until they are 6 months before making any decisions on culling unless there are obvious flaws. They change so quickly!

I would love to see pics.

 

[Cetawin]

Quote:
I would wait also because they really do not get their adult plummage until they are adults. Cyn told me they change a lot before then.

 

[speckledhen]

You really can't pick the males before they hit mating age mainly due to temperament, which only really shows itself when the hormones are flowing, maybe 18-20 weeks. Even my Gracie, Isaac's daughter, is just now getting some tail black at about 19 weeks old. So, these take awhile to know who they'll be.