Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[Bassleg]

How old do Del's get? My freind has a mutt rooster that is 10 years old so he says.

 

[kathyinmo]

Good morning friends owned by Delawares!

I found my inspiration for the day, here ....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=326099

My new laying pullets are not quite in the hang of it yet. I do get a couple eggs a day, sometimes 4. They are just the sweetest little girls! I always look forward to going into their pen. They do love to come out and follow me around, too. So helpful, you know!

 

[speckledhen]

I have no idea how long any chicken will live. If mine would quit dying from internal laying, maybe I'd find out (not the Dels, the hatchery girls). I don't believe it has anything to do with breeds, per se.

I like that, Kathy. It's obvious that you live your life with gratitude.

Ivy is still alive, but barely. We brought her out from under the coop for me to offer her a bowl of cold egg salad--thought it would be good on a hot day. She refused to eat it so Olivia and two of the Delaware girls did. I then put Ivy in the coop where she drank and drank and drank. I don't believe she is really eating anymore. She is still inside, but her color is almost black, it's such a dark purple. She stumbles every time she has to step over something, but she still looks up at me when I talk to her. When she is no longer standing up and walking, we'll bring her in to help her along, but I want Lexie to have as much time with her as possible. Even Olivia is keeping close to Ivy and she will probably be next to go. She wants to be held all the time, too. Livvie has always been such a sweet, super-friendly girl and was an amazing broody.

 

[joletabey]

I wish I could find something new and comforting to say- all I can say is I believe she will be met with much joy and love on the other side.

 

[kathyinmo]

I need some expert Delaware opinions! I have a picture of each of 7 roosters from my Christmas hatch. They are now about 16 weeks old. Can you tell me the 2 out of these that look the most promising?

ETA: Oh shoot ..... the pictures are not good enought to see the combs. I'll have to try again...

 

[Cetawin]

Hello and Night Night Humans Owned by Delawares

I am beat but I wanted to stop in a check on Ivy. Cyn, dang it I am so sorry. I am going to say a prayer before I close my eyes that she passes peacefully tonight. I really do not want you or Tom to have to help her along, that is so hard.

Cyn, on the dancing roos...when we got here and I took Thor out of he coop for the first time he danced for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. He danced at the girls, at me, at DH, at the garage, at the van, at every tree he saw....he was so happy to be out of the coop and not traveling any more. I let him get away with that one but that is the only time he has ever done it. I take that back he started to dance for me one day when he was about 16 weeks old or so and then got this funny look on his face like "Whoa, that's mom what am I doing?" but he stopped immediately.

So, here is to good, happy boys!

Every now and again a little dance is acceptable I do believe.

The feathered kids spent the day in two stall areas of the barn today. I am adjusting them slowly to the new environment while we get situated. Then about sunset they all got tucked in for the night in their small coops. Everyone is doing really great, I am so pleased and relieved.

Night night all.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[ke_ben]

Quote:
Thank you. He did seem kind of proud, didn't he? G'night all.

 

[joletabey]

Kathy,
1,3,6 look chunkiest. For some reason I am liking 3 best at this point, but would like to see combs. Keep two or three of them- I wanted to do the male/female line thing but lost my Buckshot!!!!! So have a back up and a back up for your back up!!! This is the bunch that are all angels, right?

Cetawin, Thor is a treasure. I bet your kids are so happy to be back on terra firma.

Cynthia, is Ivy still with us?

Good morning everyone else!

 

[speckledhen]

I'm about to go out to the coop to see if Ivy is still here. Will report back in after a bit.

 

[Yard full o' rocks]

Morning all!!

Ladyhawk....I'm here!! You up??!! Glad you are on this side of the island with us now and that horrible trek is over. I'm thinkin' China was a piece of cake compared to your adventure.

Kathy, my vote is roo #4 and #6. I think I see barred wing feathers in #3. #6 has really nice yellow legs too. In talking to several breeder about Rocks, they advise selecting for:

Color first,
then type,
then comb conformation.

I was recently advised to keep a roo with 2 too many points because he was the best colored. I was told that the hen can help "fix" the comb point issue....but again, these are Rock Breeders, not Delaware breeders, so the selection process could be different.

Cyn - what have the Del breeders advised? How is Ivy (..and you and Tom) this morning?

I'm off to let my Dellie bunch out. Pepper was NOT HAPPY when I let the Rocks out yesterday and he had to stay in....he just doesn't quite get the whole "taking turns" thing

Y'all have a great day.