Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[McSpin]

Quote:
What does feather sexing have to do with proper selection? Are you suggesting that birds that have the short-feather-gene are inferior?

 

[Goose and Fig]

Delawaregirl- sounds like racoons. I had them tear chicken wire off a juvie coop and completely mutilate everything inside trying to squeeze them through a small hole. It was such a massacre- the images are burned into my memory. Since then we have only used welded wire with small holes, and used an air stapler. No problems since.

Sorry for your loss

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

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We had the cull (human-agressive) Delaware cockerels butchered at 18-19 weeks. We also have someone else do the butchering at this time, as the men at my house have a hard enough time eating something they raised. No shame in knowing your situation and working within it. Besides, I cannot hardly do it myself for $1.50 a bird, what the Amish charge in our area.

If you have the space, you could protect your pullets more by moving the cockerels to their own pen. That is my plan for next year, so I will be able to keep them longer and see how they do.

Today I'm wishing we had sent that Speckled Sussex guy to the butcher, as he tried to flog the younger DS last night. He has exactly 1 week to change his attitude, or I'll take care of him myself. The elder DS is fond of him, but I will not put up with a human-aggressive roo, even if he is contained in a pasture/coop.

We have nightmares about racoons and coyotes too. Livestock changes your whole perspective on wildlife.

 

[delawaregirl09]

Thanks HappyMtn, at least it was only two though. And JoAnn? I agree. It changes it to a completely different angle.

Well, I think they should sticky these breed pages that people make. It may make things easier for everyone.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Only $1.50 a bird? You are very fortunate. Wish I had that opportunity.
Ours is $2.25 and a long drive away. So I have been doing it myself.
Trying to figure out who to keep and who to cull is so hard! I almost had it figured out and then I saw the tail. Barred but short feathers. Ahhhh.
And the nice big boy has a black tail and his comb has way too many points.
The middle of the road boys have only half barred tails and mediocre body types and so so combs.
The "best" roo has the nicest tail, fair body type and fair comb and then I see the tail is stubby. Not as long as the others. They still have a few weeks to go before I finalize my choices but this is not easy.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Quote:
I've got an open breeding run so talk to me if you decide to reject the big boy! We could throw him in with my yet living Buckeyes and see what we get . . . maybe cross that back with a cornish?

 

[Germaine_11.20]

OOOhhhhh good idea.

 

[joletabey]

Delawaregirl,
Did you catch your predator yet?

And may I ask Speckledhen and Walkswithdog if anyone heard from Shortcake? I would still love to see more pictures.
Thanks!!!!

 

[speckledhen]

I have not heard from Tracy, no. I've PM'd and emailed more than once and am a bit worried about her just up and disappearing that way. Hope she's okay!

 

[delawaregirl09]

Quote:
No, unfortunently. The sneaky little sucker tricked the trap and stole the bait. Now I'm thinking raccoon. I

Raccoons. Now.

Well everyone, this thread s'posed to be 'bout them perty Dels! I've got a pic of a del chick that hatched this last monday. First sucker to pop out of the shell, oh so vigorous. Now, I'm not positive that its Delaware, but I'm pretty sure.