Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[kathyinmo]

Jeremy,
How do you rate, getting a perfect Delaware roo the first hatch? ! ! ! It took me about 15 roos to get my best guy! Stewart looks great already! I see why you are attached to him, he just has that look about him! He's a cutie!

 

[jeremy]

Really Kathy, does he look that nice?

I've compared him to the others, judged on what everyone talks about on the thread. He's defintely showing nice barring on his hackle feathers at this point, though they look a little light to me? He doesn't have much smut on his back compared to the others who have a bunch! He's also the biggest, with thick yellow legs. Plus his comb looks nice and even! I feel very lucky to have this little one.

If the weather stays nice tomorrow (we're expecting some light rain) I'm going to try to get some pictures of the other cockerels. I've got 4 total.

My only pullet out of this hatch is little Quasimota. If I hadn't helped her out of the egg I probably would have had a brooder of baby boys! Hopefully his temperament remains as mild mannered as he has been, for now he's for sure my #1 choice.

 

[kathyinmo]

Yes, Jeremy, I am serious, I think he looks great. If anything at all, maybe a little bit light in the hackles, but I don't think it is toooooo light. Of course, he will change as he grows, but from what I see ..... I think you have a winner here!

Look at that perfect beak! Not a smudge on it! Perfect comb! Beautiful yellow legs! Wings already perfect, not droopy. Holy cow .... I see a perfect Del roo in the making!

 

[jeremy]

Excellent!

Stewart would be blushing at all the compliments, if he could.

Thank you! Now all I have to do is hatch out some pullets from the Bill Braden eggs I have for him, then I'll be set. Well, until next year at least. Then I'll be looking for more lines to add. I've told myself no more birds/chicks/eggs until 2011.

 

[kathyinmo]

I have a deal for you .... I will trade you 5 of my little roosters for your one! Now, that's a deal, don't ya think! I would even throw in a pullet, out of the kindness of my heart!

 

[jeremy]

L0L! Kathy you are too much. For now, I think I'll hold on to him.

BUT, I do have the 3 other potentials that could be as equally impressive too. I honestly haven't been showing them much attention, Stewart's been receiving all the love. I'd be more than happy to take some pictures of them and then pack 'em all in a little box destined for Missouri... as long as you send me some of those gorgeous Lav Orps, and maybe a few Blues too.

But that would be breaking my "no more chickens for 2010" promise, no no! I can't do it.

 

[kathyinmo]

Yes, do get pictures of all of them! I want to see them! You take great photos. I look forward to seeing more!

I think I am sure to have extra Orps one day soon! I don't know if I can part with them though, as they are so beautiful! Nice lawn ornaments, if nothing else.

My Lavender Orps do get alot of second looks. I just love them. I guess you will have to wait until after Christmas then, because of your promise!

 

[jeremy]

Next year you'll be the first person I contact for eggs... or maybe with my luck hatching Orpington eggs

you could send me chicks? I'm trying to decide whether I want to breed the Lavs or the Blues. I want to establish 3 breeding flocks total- Dels, BW Ameraucanas (as well as Easter Eggers/Olive Eggers, they seem to go hand in hand) and ??? I'm leaning towards the Orps, I just can't choose a color!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I hope I have better luck hatching my own Orp eggs than I did with shipped Orp eggs! If I do, then I could ship chicks. Make 2 Orp pens .... blue and lavender!

I can send you those Olive Egger eggs too! I hatched out a few, and they are beautiful blue chicks (most of them). Today I moved my 3 Easter Eggers in with my Blue Marans group, hoping to have mostly all blue chicks that lay Olive eggs.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
I hope I have better luck hatching my own Orp eggs than I did with shipped Orp eggs! If I do, then I could ship chicks. Make 2 Orp pens .... blue and lavender!

I can send you those Olive Egger eggs too! I hatched out a few, and they are beautiful blue chicks (most of them). Today I moved my 3 Easter Eggers in with my Blue Marans group, hoping to have mostly all blue chicks that lay Olive eggs.

My last egg order for the year was a dozen Olive Eggers, a Blue Birchen Marans X Lemon Blue EE hens. I don't know if the Blue genetics will work the same way with this pairing (some blue, black and splash) but I'm hoping for a lot of blues. I'm very excited about the color possibilities. She's also sending a few Blue Birchen Marans X Welsummer, I think that'll make for an interesting dark egg layer mix. We'll see.

You're suppose to help me decide which Orp I want Kathy, not offer to send both! L0L!

Anyways, I'm off to bed, I'm fighting the flu and I need sleep.