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Delaware

Delawares are a fairly heavy-bodied, white (silver) bird with black markings. They were originally developed in the state of Delaware in 1940 from some silver sports (birds that differ from the parent stock, often through mutation) that cropped out by chance from a broiler cross using New Hampshire Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks. They were recognized as a separate breed and admitted to the APA Standard in 1952. While they were thought of as a broiler originally, today they are recognized as a dual-purpose bird, most useful for the backyard or homestead. As a breed originating in America, Delawares are often kept today by those who are interested in maintaining US heritage breeds.


Those interested in the show standards for this breed should know that the APA Standard calls for Delaware males to be 8.5 lbs and have a body that is both broad and deep. The comb should have five even points, and the tail should be clearly barred with the black bars predominant. The female Delaware should be 6.5 lbs and should also have a broad and deep body. She, however, should not have barring in her main tail feathers, which should be black with only white lacing on the outer edges. Her tail covert feathers, however, may show barring. Both genders should have barring in the hackle and have yellow legs.

If you are familiar with this product, please update the details list so it is complete!
Detail Value
Breed Purpose
Dual Purpose
Comb
Single
Broodiness
Average
Climate Tolerance
All Climates
Egg Productivity
High
Egg Size
Large
Egg Color
Brown
Breed Temperament
Friendly,Easily handled,Calm
Breed Colors/Varieties
One variety, barred silver columbian.
Breed Size
Large Fowl

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User Reviews: Delaware

Ranked #21 in the category Chicken Breeds
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Community Rating (20 reviews)
Overall
May 3, 2012 at 5:50 pm
FLKayaker
Reviewed by FLKayaker
Pros: Very friendly & quick learners
Cons: None thus far

These four Delaware pullets are my first "flock" and I absolutely love them!  True to their reviews they are very friendly and quick learners too at only 5 weeks old.  When I open the coop for feeding and care they always rush to the door, hop on my hand and walk up my arm allowing me to pet them.

 

As for their reputations for being smart, well, perhaps its too early to tell.  I recently decided to treat my chicks to a special treat of several fresh, little bugs after I cleaned out their coop so I proceeded to gather the insects in a small glass jar that originally contained green olives.  I placed the jar into the coop on it's side so the chicks could grab their treats but one chick, spotting an especially tempting treat at the bottom, squeezed through the narrow neck and popped herself completely into the jar.  I was very surprised and waited a moment to see if she could get out.  She struggled but could not back out and could not turn herself around.  Fortunately, she had one leg sticking out of the jar which I was able to grab and gently work her back out.  Whenever I hear about a chicken being "smart" I will always think of my little chicken in the olive jar!

April 6, 2012 at 3:35 pm
bookerdog
Reviewed by bookerdog
Pros: nice meat birds at 20 weeks as well as good layers. Calm friendly
Cons: White color gets dirty.

This is getting to be my favorite chicken.   Mine come from about 4 different bloodlines and Im really happy with them.   I think one of the best chickens for anyone wanting a real dual purpose bird.

January 11, 2012 at 4:51 pm
LilyD
Reviewed by LilyD
Pros: Friendly, Smart, Mellow, Good Foragers, Dual Purpose
Cons: Roos are sometimes Boorish

Right now I have a trio with one rooster and two hens of varying age. The rooster is friendly and smart. I hatched him out myself and he does very well with the other birds. I did have a few roosters that I hatched out from the same group that were a bit pushy with the other chickens. Since that's not a trait I want in my flock I didn't keep those birds for breeding. The three I have are as sweet as can be. My nephew can pick them all up. They will not bite or scratch and they actually will step up onto your arm if you ask them to. They love human attention but are okay with being on their own too.

 

As far as their use as Dual Purpose birds they seem small compared to some of my other birds but boy when you pick them up you can feel that they are SOLID. They have more breast meat than my other DP birds and the white feathers makes them fairly easy to pluck as well.

 

I really have nothing bad to say about them they are amazing birds.

January 11, 2012 at 7:42 pm
americanvalkyrie
Reviewed by americanvalkyrie
Pros: The first of my flock to figure out a new environment.
Cons: Easily spoiled. Once you give them a privilege, they expect it.

I had two to begin with, but one turned out to be a rooster and I had to cull him.  Both were the friendliest and smartest of my birds, and they sat beside me while I gardened, waiting for me to throw them weeds or worms.  Now that the chickens are laying age (sans rooster,) the hen gives me a large egg at least 5 times a week.  She's extremely intelligent, and she knows exactly where her treats come from.  If I don't let her out during the day, she can be quite vocal about her desires, while the other hens cluck happily in confinement.  Very well-mannered, hasn't been aggressive at all.  But if I walk in her area holding something in my hand, she will assume it's a treat for her and will jump up to grab it from me.

See All 20 User Reviews


Article: Delaware

Chicken Breed Info:

Breed Purpose: Dual Purpose
Comb: Single
Broodiness: Average
Climate Tolerance: All Climates

General Egg Info:

Egg Productivity: High
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: Brown

Breed Temperament:

Friendly,Easily handled,Calm

Breed Colors / Varieties:

One variety, barred silver columbian.

Breed Details:

Delawares are great layers and good foragers on range. Their disposition is usually mild and friendly, although fiery Delaware males are not unheard of. Overall, they are an attractive, old-fashioned bird with good utility value, and well bred specimens can be particularly striking in appearance.

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Rooster
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Hen
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Egg
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Chick
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Adolescent
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