Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[speckledhen]

 

[crazyhen]

Beth I hope you have a great hatch. I ended up with three dellies so I am at least getting started. One already has some blackish coloring on the wings. I can barely wait to see how they will turn out. The little rocks are cute as well two of them. One orp. mix growing like crazy. All of Orps by Stormy are large.

gloria Jean

 

[ChksontheRun]

Interesting thing happened 2 days in a row. We have 3 dogs that love to come out with me and watch the chickens in their pen. I don't trust the dogs around the chickens directly. Yesterday and today, all of the pullets, as usual, ran away from the dogs, but my wonderful little 8 week old Del cockerel stood right between the dogs and the pullets giving my boxer the evil eye. I do believe he will be very protective of his girls. I love his personality so far. I can hardly believe at only 8 weeks he already has these instincts. (no aggressiveness, just protective.....I hope it stays that way). I should try to get a picture...........

And dont worry, the dogs are never near the run without people.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Just another thing to love about our Delawares! Thanks for sharing your story and your picture! I just love hearing Delaware stories!

 

[Cetawin]

aaawwwwww what a good boy he is going to be. I love a good boy who protects his girls.

He is a handsome little guy too....we need a close up of him.

 

[ChksontheRun]

He is cute, and I will get a close up later, but he is hatchery, and so far no black in his tail. I am learning more about good Dels (conformation i mean) which he is not. But he sure is loveable.

 

[zephyrcreek]

We had an exciting call today. A very successful local CSA contacted me about all the Dels. The are looking to replace their current Isa flock with a heritage breed bird. She is interested in taking all of my pullets that do not meet standards for my breeding flock. I have 40 birds that are 4 weeks old that I am holding back to evaluate for next year. I'll hatch another set to evaluate in a few weeks also. I told her all about my "gossip girls" and she thinks this is going to be a good match for their farm. They raise pasture raised hogs and Icelandic sheep side by side, and also do veggies. They have Australian Shepards that patrol the farm and keep all the predators away.
There was an article about their farm in Hobby Farm magazine last fall. They are looking for 40-60 birds!

This is an exciting step for the Dels. If we can prove what a great farm bird they are it will be one more step forward in saving the breed.

 

[Cetawin]

ChksontheRun - Well he should have some barring in his tail but he is still too young to know what his final feathering will look like. Give him time...he is still a handsome little fella and if he is a sweetie pie, that stands for something. How is his comb? Wing Carriage? Body style? He could still turn out to be a good roo


Zephyr - that is exciting....a great push for Dellies too. WTG

 

[jeremy]

I put 13 Del eggs from Bill Braden into lockdown tonight, here we go again!

 

[joletabey]

Chks- Yay for your little guy- I would love to see a close up- he sounds like he has the makings of a great roo as far as a flock protector goes- look at him with that doggie!

Zephyrcreek- that is wonderful news- I think Dels would be great farm birds. My run is right next to the horse paddock, and my horses stand next to the run watching the chickens, and the chickens have not been bothered by them at all. Or the dogs, or the cats, or anything.

Kathy, can't wait to see what's a poppin' at your place!!!! Are you home today to take pics?

Jeremy- good luck with this bunch- I hope every single one hatches!!!!!

Good morning Cynthia, Scott, Gloria Jean, Cetawin, Germaine, and every other Dellie lover who pops in!!!