A little history on the DELAWARE heritage breed...if this breeder had NOT crossbred we would not have the prized Delaware. One of my favorites....
Delaware were developed by George Ellis of Delaware in 1940 and were used for the production of broilers. The breed originated from crosses of Barred Plymouth Rock roosters and New Hampshire hens. A few off-colored sports were produced that were almost white with black barring on the hackles, primaries, secondaries, and tail. This coloration is very similar to the Colombian color pattern, but with the barring substituting for the black sections. For about twenty years the Delaware and the Delaware x New Hampshire cross were the most popular broiler chickens on the Delmarva Peninsula. Both the Delaware and the Delaware x New Hampshire cross were replaced by the Cornish x Rock cross that you see in grocery stores today.
The Delaware makes an excellent dual-purpose bird. They have an excellent lay rate, and a calm and friendly disposition. The breed is noted for rapid growth and fast feathering of the chicks. Cocks grow to 8-1/2 pounds and hens to 6-1/2 pounds. Our breeding program emphasizes carcass quality and growth rate in addition to the American Poultry Association's (APA) standard for the breed.
Delaware males may be mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red females and produce chicks of the Delaware color pattern. Delaware females mated to New Hampshire or Rhode Island Red males produce sex-linked offspring; the males having the Delaware color pattern and the females having the solid red color of the sires. Chicks from this second cross can even be sexed by their down color when hatched.
