Won't you please rate my Delaware rooster?

[alicefelldown]

Planning on scoping it out in Sept and then maybe bringing the Delaware in Oct. Wait and see kinda thing.

We should def meet up! The next show after that is Ventura in April. I'll PM you the schedule.

 

[kathyinmo]

PPssssttttt..... Did you happen to see the pictures that Rancher Hicks posted of the Delawares at the New York State fair?

 

[jeremy]

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Do you have a link Kathy?

 

[kathyinmo]

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Do you have a link Kathy?

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[rodriguezpoultry]

Considering the show had broilers housed next to the Plymouth Rocks, I'd not be expecting great quality from that show.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I agree with NYREDS on this. Both need to be rehomed or eaten. Neither are breeder quality and are, at best, pet quality.

 

[jeremy]

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Do you have a link Kathy?

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[Cindiloohoo]

My flock of Delaware's are a work in progress. They aren't hatchery birds. The person I originally got hatching eggs from has had Delaware's for over a decade. Everybody that breeds knows breeder stock doesn't always produce breeder stock chicks.

Anyway.....alicefelldown, my boys usually take a while to start to show their tail feathers, they ARE slower maturing. IF you decide to give them a chance and show them, I'd LOVE to hear how they do!

I don't think I have Columbian in these birds. I have worked hard, and asked a bazillion questions on the Delaware thread to improve this flock and have culled mercilessly! They are still a work in progress though. I think they look pretty good, but I AM a bit biased

Their combs could use some work but they have nice shape and yellow legs/beak. I think their barring and smut will get better with age. My roo definately has, but he looked funky for a while as well. I don't advertise these birds as show quality, and am not sure if they are ready for any of that, but ya never know.

Gosh, some of you guys are harsh! LOL! At least they look ten times better than those NY birds

 

[kathyinmo]

Cindi,
We are all working on the breed. Even if we all had show quality breeders we would still hatch out a bunch of culls. Delawares are a tough breed to get to breed to the SOP, in my opinion. I have hatched out many this past year, and have kept only 12 girls (and they are not all the best) and 3 boys.

Delawares = a work in progress!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Any bird would look better than those birds.

The birds in those photos are yellowed from sun or even genetics, have poor body conformation, poor color...there's a whole plethora of issues. But, the birds are supposed to be compared to the STANDARD. Not against each other. When that happens, it is because two birds are so close to the standard that you are selecting which bird is closer to the standard. If no bird in the category looks anywhere close to it's "assumed" breed, it simply should not be placed.

I'm not knocking your Delawares, but they are pet-quality and should be sold as such or eaten. Sorry if that offends you or your breeding decisions, but it's how I feel on this subject.

OP, the false barring or smuttiness may go away as the birds age, or they may not. All I know is that if I were breeding Delawares and my cockerels showed the patterns in their saddle feathers, I would not use them for breeding, even if the molt removed it from sight.