Delaware Chickens

Day Old Delaware Baby Chicks

Hatching February through August

Delaware chickens are among the fastest-growing of the heritage breeds and the hens are good brown egg layers, making them an excellent dual-purpose breed. Add to that the fact that these chickens also have a great temperament and you will begin to see why Delaware chickens are a fantastic addition to your backyard flock.  Delaware chickens are cold-hardy and have a single comb. 

Production: Matures quickly, making it an ideal breed for meat production. Delaware chickens have yellow skin. Hens are excellent brown egg layers laying 200-280 eggs a year, as well as being broody. 

Temperament: They are friendly, calm, and funny. Delawares are also good foragers. 

History: George Ellis bred Barred Plymouth Rock Males with New Hampshire females. The offspring were called "silver sports," and it was the offspring of those chickens that became the breed of Delaware chickens. The breed was accepted into the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1952.

Delaware chickens are considered a threatened species. There is not much quality breeding stock across the country. The breed was developed for the same reasons Cornish Crosses were, and the popularity of the Cornish Cross eclipsed the Delawares. Now the breed is slowly beginning to find its way into more backyard flocks, due to its hardiness, beauty, and usefulness.

While Delawares are listed in the Standard of Perfection, they are not often entered in APA competitions. They are rare for one thing and also it is difficult to breed them to such exacting standards with the lack of breeding stock.

APA Class: American 

Color Description: Males: White with black barring on the neck and tail. Females: Same, except that the entire tail is black, edged in white

Conservation Status: Threatened

Weight: Cockerel 7.5 lbs, Pullet 5.5 lbs