The Delaware Boys Just Passed 14 Weeks Old (PICS)

[speckledhen]

Thanks, Jaynie. I know there are breeds I'd like to try, but I have my limits. I'm not even adding to the laying flock anymore; in fact, I'm paring down. I'm testing these boys for temperament, but can't really do that well till they are mating the ladies and are in the midst of the raging hormones stage. They sure do like to crow! In a way, it will be nice to have 2/3 of the Kazoo Band gone in a few weeks, LOL. My #1 boy also has the best crow so far, but they're still working on it.... ALOT! Between Suede, Dutch, these Del boys and on occasion, Zane, I have noisy mornings here. Not complaining, though. You know I love my roosters!

 

[walkswithdog]

They look great Cyn... The boys I have from you are also monsters. Though mine have been staying on the 28% gamebird starter because I'm raising turkeys.

And yeah they're screaming huge. I'll post some updated photos from yesterday later today. My first pick boy is still a standout. Though my second is becoming a bit of an........... Rotten boy.

I took a bunch of pullet pics as well since I want your feedback with the girls as well but they are also really good sized from the breeders eggs I had, quite pleasantly surprised I've had five and six and seven month old pullets no where near their size at 12 weeks. I'll be keeping Delawares from now on.

 

[speckledhen]

Fabulous, Cher! I'd love to see the pics. They are just the biggest birds for their age I've ever had other than the BBS Orpingtons.

 

[shortcake1806]

Wow, I can't believe they're 14 weeks already. I'd love to see a pic of the roo in the background of pic #3. I like the looks of his tail.

 

[speckledhen]

Oh, yeah, Tracy, his tail is awesome! He's actually the smallest of the three, but he may eventually grow into those huge tree trunk legs he has. He's an odd guy, walks around whining/chattering under his breath all the time we are near him. Let me see if I can get a closer/better picture of him, but here is one I took several days ago. The others plucked his neck feathers on both sides of his head the other day, poor thing. Guess he roosted between the two dominant boys.

 

[shortcake1806]

There's always one small roo in every bunch that's an odd bird. I don't know why but every time I seem to have one. lol They seem to have more personality than the others. Almost like they know they're the runt so they have to make themselves known otherwise.

 

[speckledhen]

He's actually a bit jumpy, but he also acts like he wants attention. He's quite the strange guy, has an extra comb point, but they are even. Just took a pic of him (wrong camera date, I realized). Here's #3

 

[seriousbill]

One thing I notice is that the wing feathers are coming in a lot like their sire's did. Kind of awkwardly

Oh well, he grew out of it, and I'd expect them to as well. All three of these boys are early maturing like he was too--big combs and wattles for their age...

 

[speckledhen]

Their wing feathers remind me of guinea keets when the flight feathers, those first two, grow so long that they separate from the rest of the wing. These boys do have good wing carriage, but two feathers on each side make it seem otherwise.