Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[kathyinmo]

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In my flock photo I do have some Sussex in the same grow out pen with the Delawares. They are all from totally different flocks, and not related. They are just together in the grow out pen.

 

[jeremy]

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It's one of the main things to cull for, IMO. It's the reason that my breeding program was put on hold. My previous rooster had solid black tail feathers, an indicator to me of the wrong types of influence in his background and something that I did not want to breed into my program.

That said, I'm now not breeding at all. So am I helping to better and strengthen the breed? Not so much. But I guess you gotta start somewhere, work with the birds that you have, cull towards the SOP and just try your best. However, I just am not the type to start by taking two steps back.

 

[math ace]

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Verrry Interesting - - - Thanks for pointing this out. I appreciate detailed observations.

Does everyone else agree with this observation ? ? ? ?

 

[joletabey]

Look at the SOP.

Jenn- I am just west of Asheville- pm me if you like.

 

[joletabey]

Look at the SOP.

Jenn- I am just west of Asheville- pm me if you like.

 

[cubalaya]

beth, i am watching them hatch right now so far 3 delawares 3 australorps and 2 cubalayas.

 

[VillageChicken]

My observation is based only on how the barring gene works on the extended black allele. It's like the difference between a dark cuckoo marans and light cuckoo. The light has double barring gene the dark only single. A purebred barred rock rooster should have finer barring, especially in the hackle, where on the hen you'll see a lot more black.

But the Columbian gene that moves all the black to the extremities could have an effect on the barring and it could be different in this combination. I just wonder if it has come up that Delawares are not showing proper barring and end up looking like sussex or light brahmas without the barring. Maybe the Wheaten allele combined with Columbian weakens the effect of barring and that's why hens only get a white lace on their tails instead of the barring like the roosters.

I've seen some pictures of Delaware roosters with very distinct narrow bars on hackle and tail, and some with longer barring and lots of black in their tails. If no one is getting any hens without the barring then all the Delaware roos out there must have both barring genes. Maybe it's that some are slow feathering and some are fast.

 

[capayvalleychick]

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It's one of the main things to cull for, IMO. It's the reason that my breeding program was put on hold. My previous rooster had solid black tail feathers, an indicator to me of the wrong types of influence in his background and something that I did not want to breed into my program.

That said, I'm now not breeding at all. So am I helping to better and strengthen the breed? Not so much. But I guess you gotta start somewhere, work with the birds that you have, cull towards the SOP and just try your best. However, I just am not the type to start by taking two steps back.

I guess there's no way that I could talk you into using my roo, then? Now I understand the comment on you liking to paint, rather than build the barn.

Seriously, Jeremy, I really like the bodies on your hens. I'm not that far from you and have lots of space. I just don't want to incubate eggs and would rather that hens raise their own babies. (I want chickens that go broody and raise their own, in my flocks)

So, if you ever want a partner, to raise Delawares, let me know.

Kim

 

[math ace]

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OK Village, you know I process your words SLOWLY. So, I just printed them out and will get back with you LATER.

Glad to see you on this thread

 

[jenanneray]

Since there's a discussion on barring/ coloring, can you tell me what you think of the colors on my rooster and hen? I am interested in breeding them, and would like to learn all I can about the good to look for, etc.

I do have two hens, but I couldn't get a good picture of the other. She runs away from the camera.