Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[fatcatx]

First batch of Dels is 4 pullets out of 12 . so thats about what I got 75% .
When you figure use as Heritage / Old homestead that wouldn't be bad as you don't need but so many eggs to eat/hatch. Most would go for table fare and the Cockerels are larger for that purpose.
Second batch is 5 pullets out of 14 so thats about 65%

As I read this and had the "Aha" moment I could almost feel my long-deceased grandmother doing a forehead slap and saying "Child, we had to eat!"
Now it makes perfect sense. Of course you would want lots of big fat roos around for the pot.

Don't worry grandma! Your city-girl grandchild is catching on slowly but surely!

 

[Delawaremommy]

My baby girl Gertrude has curled toes the other three are fine. I read somewhere it is genetic so even if I do my own hatches she will be excluded except as a really sweet pet and layer.

 

[finnfur]

As I read this and had the "Aha" moment I could almost feel my long-deceased grandmother doing a forehead slap and saying "Child, we had to eat!"
Now it makes perfect sense. Of course you would want lots of big fat roos around for the pot.

Don't worry grandma! Your city-girl grandchild is catching on slowly but surely!

To give ya an example we just did 18 week weigh in on our Red tag Line of Dels -
The avg Pullet is 63.2 oz and Cockeral 81.3 oz . Thats a 28% heavier bird to eat. And buy the time butcher day is here
it will be even higher percent as the Pullets will start laying and not continue to keep up the weight gain momentum .

 

[NestingHillsSC]

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Yea right. Or on the grill. Put a GLW cockerel on there last night. YUM!! May put the rest of them on there soon. Hate those birds. There mean as he77!!!!

 

[NestingHillsSC]

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Nothing wrong with just a layer. Out of my 9 hens, only will breed 4 or 5. The rest just layers until I hatch more this coming year.

 

[fatcatx]

Quote: Impressive weight difference. What weight do the cockerals typically dress out at? We are looking forward to raising some for meat when we eventually move out of city limits. Probably will try Dels and Freedom Rangers first.

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Yea right. Or on the grill. Put a GLW cockerel on there last night. YUM!! May put the rest of them on there soon. Hate those birds. There mean as he77!!!!
Ah - say it isn't so! Was looking forward to adding a GLW hen as a layer in the future as flock eye candy. Did he turn sweeter with grill sauce?

 

[EggieRowe]

Impressive weight difference. What weight do the cockerals typically dress out at? We are looking forward to raising some for meat when we eventually move out of city limits. Probably will try Dels and Freedom Rangers first.

Ah - say it isn't so! Was looking forward to adding a GLW hen as a layer in the future as flock eye candy. Did he turn sweeter with grill sauce?

I was torn between Delies & FRs, but went with the Delawares since they are on the ALBC list. (And much prettier IMHO.)

Nothing wrong with just a layer. Out of my 9 hens, only will breed 4 or 5. The rest just layers until I hatch more this coming year.

Are you going to work on your flock with just the ones you have now?

 

[finnfur]

Fatcatx
Will be first process of Dels so I can't tell you dress weight yet.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

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Yes! I sold 2 pullets and a cockerel to a guy yesterday. That leaves 11 more cockerels to sell. HAHAHAHA

 

[Delawaremommy]

The ones I have now will most likely just be pets and layers. I would like to eventually find some good non-hatchery types to have a breeding flock. As I stated I would like to raise them and have enough to help get them off the Critical/threatened list with ALBC. At this point I live in a neighborhood so four is my limit and no roos allowed.
But I am so happy with the breed right now. They are active, friendly and talkative and a great source of amusement for my family and I.