Hello Everyone, Long time no see.
It has been the WORST year. I haven't bred a single chick since I have been gone. We have lost my Grandfather, my Dad, and my Uncle. I have been away from my farm more often than I have been here over the last year supporting my Brother and Sister through my Father's illness and my Mom and Aunt with my Grandfather.
It's now time to move on.
I hope everyone else has had a better time of it than I have.
So...on to the Dellie pictures! I am ready to start breeding and have to isolate my choice of hen. I had some accidental breeding happen last summer. One of my Silver Phoenix Hens gathered up a bunch of mixed breed eggs and had herself some fun. As a result of that I actually ended up with a Sport Delaware. (One of SpeckledHen's Barred Rock Roosters, and a New Hampshire Red Hen). She is on the small side, but her coloring is spectacular. Do I breed her? HMMMMM. I'm wondering if I breed for size this time, and then indroduce her to improve color in F2???
So, here are some pics...
This is Rooster 1. I'm sorry about his tail, but he got into an argument with a nonsense.....
This is Rooster 2. He has a full tail to show. He also has a smoother transition from chest to thigh. However, he isn't quite as wide in the chest as #1.
This is the sport - cross of Barred Rock Roo with New Hampshire Red Hen. In the second image the Sport is on the Right, and one of my other Dellie Hens is on the left in front. The sport cross is small. Though she is only about 6 months old she is just a bit larger than a banty. (About 4lbs I would say)
Hen 1. Her tail is pinched...that I know. Coloring and comb are good, as is her size compared to others. I have some very light hens.
Hen 2. Her tail is not pinched. Coloring is not as good. Comb is a bit floppy. She is a bit larger and more filled out.
I have other Dellie Hens, but these are the two I was able to get pictures of today. They are all of similar quality. Some better in color, some in type.
The sport is just a gorgeous bird, but smaller than I would like. I'm considering breeding it to my rooster to see what pops out. Opinions on who you would mix? I also would like to buy two more lines over the next few years so I can start to spiral breed.
I have missed you all.
Laney