In the poultry breeding landscape of the 1940s, the Delaware chicken breed emerged from the diligent efforts of George Ellis in Indian River, Delaware. Originally labeled as the “Indian River” chicken, this breed evolved through a meticulous breed improvement program involving the strategic crossbreeding of Barred Plymouth Rock roosters with New Hampshire hens. Ellis aimed to create a versatile chicken, excelling in both egg-laying prowess and rapid maturation for broiler production.
Today, the Delaware chicken stands as an excellent dual-purpose bird, well-suited for the needs of modern homesteads. Renowned for its low maintenance requirements—limited to food, water, and shelter—this breed is a picture of robust health.
For two decades, the Delaware and its crosses with New Hampshire enjoyed popularity as the primary broiler chickens on the Delmarva Peninsula. (We make this cross on our farmstead!) Their predominantly white feathers offered a visual advantage in carcass appearance, avoiding the dark spots associated with other plumage colors. However, the late 1950s saw the rise of Cornish/Plymouth Rock crosses, marking a shift in industry preference. Despite the Delaware’s decline in commercial popularity, its renaissance is underway, particularly among contemporary small-scale farmers who appreciate its unique qualities and multi use purposes.
Characterized by rapid growth and fast feathering, Delaware chickens boast a medium-sized frame with a deep, broad body, forming an inverted triangle shape. Their single combs feature five points, complemented by a medium-sized head and neck. With red combs, wattles, and ear lobes, along with reddish-bay eyes and a reddish horn or yellow beak, these chickens exude vitality. Well-set apart, muscular legs, along with yellow shanks and toes, complete their appearance. Males reach a weight of up to 8 lbs., while females typically weigh around 6 lbs. Some strains today appear to be bred smaller focused more on egg production rather than their traditional dual purpose uses.
Breeding nuances add to the Delaware’s charm. Males, when mated with New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red females, yield chicks with the signature Delaware color pattern. On the other hand, Delaware females paired with New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red males produce sex-linked offspring, with males inheriting the Delaware pattern and females showcasing the solid red color of their sires. Even the down color of chicks from this cross reveals their sex.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Delaware hens contribute to the homestead with approximately 4 large to jumbo, light brown eggs per week, totaling up to 200 eggs annually. While not inherently broody, the Delaware’s sociable nature, curiosity, and predator-savvy instincts make it a delightful addition to any homestead. We have had some of our Delewares go broody on our farmstead.
Be sure to source birds from reputable stock. Check out the Deleware Breeders FB page here –> https://www.facebook.com/groups/388431894622418