Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[TimG]

I choose these birds because they were a heritage breed and want heritage birds here on our farm. I would like to spend my time and energy on a line worth preserving for their historical value not simply for eggs and meat. Although this is there purpose, here any way.

They were developed in the 20th century, the 1940s if my memory is correct. They were a mainstay of the broiler industry for the better part of two decades. They were not the historical dual purpose breed that your great-great grandparents had on their farm. They are worth preserving just like any other breed, but not really for their historical value. In my opinion.​

 

[speckledhen]

Tim is correct that they were developed in the 40's. They are critically endangered, though some would not call them a heritage breed, per se, because they were developed after the turn of the century. They are on one list, but not another. When I use the term "heritage" to apply to the Delawares, I'm thinking of the ones more directly descended from the original "Indian River" chickens rather than the compromised lines that were outcrossed by the hatcheries to Columbian Rock and/or Production Reds.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Aw, thank you, Cyn! I feel very lucky to have had him land in my lap instead of the stew pot! She had 6, and said she couldn't really tell them apart, so she gave me the sweetest one. He's a doll!

So, one baby step closer to the standard. Galena had just started laying before I got her, so I'm pretty sure it's her leg coloring and not the egg cycle. She's still pretty scrawny, too. Not the best, but she's a good girl. Maybe in the spring I'll find some better girls to work with. I've got about 6-8 pullets growing out right now, and their coloring is ALL over the place.

 

[walkswithdog]

Trying to guess which pullets are going to feather in the RIGHT colors when it's all over is insane making. I was surprised at the final mature feather in not a few of these girls.

Including the nasty ruddy production red influence that showed up in one of the hatchery girls. Yack. Red Stippling. Barf. I'm only keeping her because I need winter layers and she lays a really good sized egg for her size.

 

[3KillerBs]

The more you all show off your Delawares the more I am convinced that they are the perfect chicken for me.

When I can have chickens I WILL have Delawares!

 

[McSpin]

Quote:
Since chicken pedigrees aren't kept, how would anyone know for sure what the linage of their Delawares are? Also, a show-winning Delaware could be the result of a hybrid cross - not too many generations ago. Shows don't require registered pedigrees either.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, that is true. You'd have to know a serious breeder, where he/she got their stock, where that person got their stock, etc. No matter the lineage, if it has the proper traits, it's a Delaware. It's just easier to get to the ultimate goal if you start with one that has good breeding to begin with. Maybe I didn't word that correctly before. Usually, outcrossing shows, if there hasn't been stringent culling of the lines afterward.
Yours look really good for hatchery stock, so it's possible to breed up to the perfect Del, as long as you start with something that looks close to what a Delaware should look like. Not all hatchery stock is bad, of course, as you have shown, (and not every breeder bird is great, either) but I'd say 90% of what I've seen would be hard to improve on in a reasonable amount of time. Sandhill has some decent ones, I've been told by those who should know, but then, I believe they started with better stock and paid more attention to culling for type than the run of the mill hatchery does.

So, where are all you Delaware owners, huh?

 

[delawaregirl09]

Oh, I'm sure they are here, just waiting on the right time to reply

I cant wait to see more birds! I love my Dels, whether they be Hatchery or Heritage. Either way, they look beautiful. As a matter of fact, I like the roosters that have waaaay to much spotting on them because they look so pretty, but I like the normal look as well. And those pictures I spoke of.... Coming Soon near you! Lol. More like near you on BYC.

 

[joletabey]

Can you all keep this going for the next 4 days while I go on a much needed vacation? Just kidding- well, actually, no I'm not. I would love to come home and find more pictures and info!!!

 

[OutInTheStiks]

Found my pics of KK and Dale before she turned into a chickie mama.