Show off your Delawares! *PIC HEAVY*

[kathyinmo]

I think you are all getting the heat that I had last week. Big cool down here, high yesterday was only 89 with a breeze. That is until just before roost time ..... Then it was a downpour, thunder and lightening. I spent all day cleaning coops, raking runs, and rearranging. I now have all my girls in the Layers coop, except my Dellies. They have their own little paradise. In the downpour I was rounding up chickens (who were in their own yards, but wouldn't go in!) It was a site, I am sure. I was soaked to the bone. Rain in the forecast for 3 more days. It is gloomy now, but not raining yet. Muddy, of course.

This is where they live now (the older girls seem to remember living here before)

The younger group immediately ran to their back yard....

I talked to them, and told them it would be fine, and to come join the others in the front yard. Left face....

Forward march ..... (not such a good single file).... Note Jacob in the foreground.

Jacob (near the water) explaining the rules to everyone ....

So, they are shall live here, happily ever after ....

A couple of the youngsters ....

 

[Serrin]

I'm sitting here melting, and it ain't from the heat either! Kathy, they're all so beautiful and they look so happy in their new digs. Lordy but that Jacob is a looker, ain't he!!?!

OK, now that you've finished that, how about coming up and giving me a hand with those three coops I've just got to build for my other boys?

I'm sure they'd appreciate it very much, as would I!!!

 

[ChksontheRun]

What a beautiful bunch of Dels Kathy. How long have you had chickens? I think I remember you saying somewhere that you have had them for just a year or 2. Your set up looks great.

My little babies are doing wonderfully. Can't wait to see if I have a little Del hen out of the bunch.

My "Red" BO roo is really getting on my nerves. Went after my foot the other day so had to give him a bit of a launch across the yard. He hasn't tried it again. I did warn him however that if this kind of malarkey keeps up it is the crock pot for him. (he continues to be a bit aggressive to the hens trying to breed all day long) Ellis, my wonderful Del roo continues to be a complete gentleman. Since I only intend on keeping one roo, looks like Ellis might just be the Man. No surprises there eh?

 

[speckledhen]

It's climbing here, just about 85* and humidity is about 82%, before noon. Forecast is for 93*. This has to end! I hope in compensation, we get a cooler than normal August! PLEASE!

If I wanted to be this hot, I'd live in south GA, not in the mtns.

Kathy, that's a healthy looking bunch of Delawares. I'm glad I've made so many converts!

 

[kathyinmo]

Serrin, I would love to come over and help you out, really. I built that coop all by myself, except for the roof, which my DS nailed in. I really like it. It has an electrical outlet in it too. I enjoy my time keeping their environment clean. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when I am finished. I am rather wasteful. I know I change out the litter more often than necessary, but I like it clean, so I just haul it all out and start with new.

Well, after the thunderstorm and high winds, I have a mess of little tree branches to pick up. I also have Sycamore trees, and I hate that they shed all over the place. I am constantly picking that up.

Jacob is a real gentleman. He has been fine with the 2 younger Del boys, so far. A couple of my older girls are not so receptive to being mated, and Jacob just takes it in stride. Yup, he is a sweetheart.

ETA: I need names for these 2 boys .... any suggestions?

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
You have certainly made ALOT of converts. Count me and all of my family as well!

My son called me yesterday. He had been to the county fair there, in Iowa. He said he was shocked at the poor quality of chickens exhibited. He said, "I thought all chickens were like yours. These were terrible looking things." I do try to take good care of them, and I worry all the time about proper nutrition and such.

Quote:
I have only had chickens for a little over a year, and now I have wayyyyy too many! I am undergoing yet another downsizing. I have 2 empty pens currently, and will soon have 4 more empty ones (before winter, for sure).

How is your Ellis doing? Would love to see more pictures of him. He looked like he was gonna be a very nice looking boy.

 

[pinkchick]

I must stop lurking and reading these threads on other breeds of birds that I do not have..they are absolutely toooooo tempting...my dear husband says I can't possibly have every breed of chicken that I just adore. I wonder why not????? Am I missing his point? I must be!
Just look at all of these B-E-A-U-TIFUL BIRDS!!!!!!!! One day....one day......

Bravo everyone they are just stunning!

 

[kathyinmo]

Pinkchick,
You know you can justify having this breed in many ways ... beautiful, friendly, excellent layers, AND to get them off the endangered list! Just this past year they were listed as, "critical." It would be nice to get them off that list, and have them in every backyard!

 

[renniegirl]

Meet Mr. Biggie Smalls~he's about 17 weeks old now

 

[pinkchick]

I know they are and that is what I would like to focus on in the very near future.....birds that are on that list. I would love to help save these beauts. When ever you or speckledhen have some hatching eggs available just let me know!!! He will just have to understand.