Delaware hardiness??

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

The BYC Chicken Breeds Database states that Delawares are heat hardy and says nothing about cold hardy. Henderson's lists them as both heat and cold hardy. I don't want to make a mistake, we need cold hardy here in the mountains of North Carolina. Do any of you have them in cold climates?

 

[FlashPointFarm]

You may want to check with Speckled Hen, Cynthia. She's a moderator on this site and does a great job raising her Delawares.

 

[shelleyb1969]

I have heritage Dels...same bloodline as speckledhens. My Dels have proven very cold hardy here in the Michigan thumb. My hens started laying in November and layed pretty consistently all winter. I think they would be absolutely fine in NC. Good luck!

 

[joletabey]

I'm close to Asheville- got my Dels from Speckledhen, and they have been out romping whenever they could these last few weeks- seem to be fine with the cold. They are REALLY friendly, fun birds. They like to crowd around and be with you.

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, they are very cold hardy birds. You may have to put vaseline on the roosters combs in extremely frigid weather, but I've had no trouble with frostbite and I live in the mtns, too. If they do well in Michigan, as Michelle said, then they'd do well most anywhere.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Thank you very much!!! I look forward to having Delaware hens this spring. Maybe cold hardy could be added to the BYC Breed description.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

We've updated the Breeds page